Place: HUM 209
Time: MW 5:30-6:45
Instructor: Dr. Micheal Crafton
Office: TLC 2225
Office hours: And by Appointment
Email: mcrafton@westga.edu
Home page: http://www.westga.edu/~mcrafton/
Learning Objectives
The purpose of this course is to survey literary and/or cultural documents (some of texts we read you may not consider as literature) from around the world, starting with the earliest extant materials to the modern period. Although trying our best to view these documents in a historical, that is, a socio-economic context, we will be hard pressed to be very detailed due to the astonishing breadth of this survey. Therefore, given the fact that we will be moving quickly through a lot of cultures, we shall hold to two constants: one, mythology as a grammar for comparative analysis; two, literacy as the fundamental skill of skills that we shall practice.
Evaluation, Assignments, and Grading Procedure
The procedures for evaluations are two: in-class exams and out of class essays.
The in-class exams will consist of a mixture of quotations from the literature studied and some analytical questions relevant to class discussion, questions that in many ways grow out of our in-class discussions.
The out of class essays will be two two- to three-page typed essays (one-inch margins, 12 pt font) that allow the student to respond to a selection or selections of literature in an individual and more analytical fashion than possible on an exam. Generally, the first paper will be on a topic related to the early literature, usually that which is listed on the syllabus before the mid-term exam, and the second paper will be on some of the later literature, after the mid-term.
For topics and more information on the essays, click here.
Midterm and Final Examinations
Examinations will be based on reading assignments, course lectures, and other materials presented in class. For each examination students will be expected to know the major terms and figures, concepts and theories related to the study of the literature that will be presented in reading assignments and course lectures. Consequently, students should be thoroughly familiar with each reading assignment and be prepared to take notes during class. Examinations will include an objective, in-class component (terms, definitions, etc.) and an out of class essay component. Examinations cannot be taken late or scheduled at an alternate time unless you have a serious medical emergency or another legitimate reason for doing so. In the event that such circumstances arise, you must let me know in advance to schedule an alternate time to take the examination. Otherwise, late exams will be marked down one letter grade for each day they are taken late. I will provide you with a study guide prior to each exam.
For more information and a sample exam, click here.
Attendance Requirements and Class Protocols
Improving your critical thinking,
analytical writing, and presentation skills requires commitment and
concentrated effort. Therefore, careful preparation and active participation
are crucial to your success in this course. Obviously, you should be present
and on time for all class meetings. Readings and other assignments should be
completed in advance of each class. You should come prepared to participate
actively in our class discussions. If you are going to be absent from class,
you should let me know in advance. Late work will not be accepted unless
you make arrangements with me in advance and you have a legitimate reason (a
serious medical or family emergency) for turning in work after it is due.
In the case of excused absences, it is your responsibility to make arrangements
with me to complete assignments you have missed immediately upon your return to
class. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero or grade
reduction for work not submitted on time. You will not be able to make up
missed in-class assignments or quizzes, and you will not receive credit for
these assignments. If you find it unavoidable to miss class, be aware
of the following guidelines:
a) Four absences are allowed during the course. Every absence thereafter will
result in a one-third letter grade reduction of your final grade in the course,
regardless of the nature of the absence. No distinctions will be made between
excused and unexcused absences.
b) Roll will be taken during every class period at the beginning of class. If
you arrive late, it is your responsibility to let us know so you are not
counted absent. Usually, the roll is taken by way of a daily reading quiz.
So, again, if you come late and miss the quiz, you need to let me know.
c) It is your responsibility to keep up with your absences and late arrivals.
d) You should use your allotted absences wisely. Unplanned or unexpected
occurrences are likely, so be prepared to use absences for these events only.
e) Entering class late and leaving class before it is over will count as an
unexcused absence, unless you have a legitimate medical excuse for doing so.
f) Excessive absences or tardiness from class may result in your administrative
withdrawal from this course with a grade of F.
g) Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering class.
h) Please refrain from eating during class.
Technology
You need to be familiar with finding sources online and other aspects of
computer technology for this class. I will assist you if you have questions.
Also, information can be found online at the UWG Technology / Surfing Guide:
http://www.westga.edu/~techlife/
Plagiarism & Academic
Dishonesty
UWG defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of
others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. I expect
that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally
dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts; it is another form of
misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course.
Any student caught submitting materials (in part or whole) as their own work
from online websites will fail the course automatically and be referred to the
Academic Discipline Council. For additional information, please see http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism
Conferences and Outside
Assistance
I will be glad to meet with you outside of class to discuss your work in this
class, the writing assignments, or the texts we are studying. If you are having
trouble with the material in this class or have questions and/or concerns you
would like to discuss, please set up a time to meet with me.
Assignments and Their Grade Weights
1. Two essays 45%
2. Two Exams 45%
4. Daily discussion 10%
Texts
Mack, Maynard, et al., eds. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. New York: Norton, 1997.
Daily Assignments
M 9 Introduction to Course: Joseph Campbell and the myth of the hero (handout; Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth); Descent of Inanna (handout; on-line here: http://www.piney.com/InanasDescNetherKram.html
W 11 Descent of Inanna (handout) cont’d; Babylonian Epic: Gilgamesh.
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M 16 MLK Jr. Chapter 5
W 18 Gilgamesh cont’d.
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M 23 Hebrew Scriptures: Genesis, except for Story of Joseph.
W 25 Ancient Greek Epic: Homer, Odyssey Books V and VI
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M 30 Homer, Odyssey Books VII, VIII, IX
W 1 Homer, Odyssey Books X, XI, XII
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M 6 Greek Drama: Sophocles, Oedipus Rex pp. 392-415
W 8 Greek Drama: Sophocles, Oedipus Rex pp. 415-432; see also Aristotle from The Poetics
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M 13 Rome: Virgil, Aeneid selections from Books I, IV
W 15 Virgil, Books VI and VIII
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M 20 Ovid from Book I of Metamorphoses; Short Paper # 1 Due
W 22 Mid-Term
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M 27 Dante, Divine Comedy pp. 1018-1036
W 1 Dante, Divine Comedy pp. 1036-1049
(March 2nd is the last day to withdraw with a W.)
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M 6 Dante, Divine Comedy pp.1078-1082, 1130-1142:
W 8 Early European Modernity: Renaissance, Hamlet
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M 13 Renaissance, Hamlet
W 15 Japan: Novel: Tale of Genji pp. 1301-1324
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M 20 Spring Break
W 22 Spring Break
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M 27 Japan: Poetry: Basho p. 2112.
W 29 European Romanticism: Rousseau and Wordsworth
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M 3 European Realism: Tolstoy, “The Death of Ivan Ilyich
W 5 Baudelaire “The Flowers of Evil”
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M 10 Modernism: Kafka, “The Metamorphosis”
W 12 Modernism: T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land
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M 17 Post-colonialism: Africa: Achebe, Things Fall Apart
W 19 Achebe, Things Fall Apart
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M 24 Post-colonialism: Oceania: Whale Rider
F 26 Post-colonialism: Oceania: Whale Rider
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M 1 Last Day of class: Discussion of Whale Rider; Paper # 2 Due
M 8 Exam: 5:30-7:30