Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2015 - WL 102W D100

Literature Across Cultures (3)

Class Number: 8728

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 12, 2015
    Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to the study of literary texts from diverse linguistic and cultural origins. May examine the literature of cross-cultural interaction, or compare texts through thematic topics. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Why do we punish? Where do our definitions of good, bad, and evil come from? What happens to laws and regulations at times of revolution and shifts in power structures? We will explore these questions and the law’s machinery in relation to language, power, madness, morality, equality, authority, surveillance, punishment, and the prison. Readings will include Friedrich Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals, George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Michele Foucault’s Discipline and Punish, Kafka’s Penal Colony and his parable “Before the Law,” Lu Xun’s “Diary of a Madman,” Tewfiq Al-Hakim’s The Sultan’s Dilemma, and Leo Tolstoy’s “Too Dear.”

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Reading comprehension, retention, and discussion of difficult literary and philosophical works 
  • Introduction to critical thinking and analytical writing skills 
  • The structure of a close-reading paragraph 
  • How to write an effective thesis paper

Grading

  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Final Paper 40%
  • Class Participation 10%
  • Journals 10%
  • Art Project 5%
  • Presentation 5%

NOTES:


REQUIREMENTS:


Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

THE REQUIRED TEXTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STUDENT BOOKSTORE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ORDER THESE ONLINE OR BUY THEM AT A BOOKSTORE. PLEASE BE SURE TO PURCHASE THE INDICATED EDITIONS.  

  • Nietzsche, Friedrich. Basic Writings of Nietzsche. Translated by Walter Kaufman. Modern Library, 2000. ISBN: 0679783393 
  • Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Penguin, 2008. ISBN: 0141036133 
  • Foucault, Michele. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage REP, 1995. ISBN: 0679752554 
  • Kafka, Franz. In the Penal Colony. Penguin Classics, 2011. ISBN: 0141196060. 
  • The Essential Tawfiq al-Hakim. Edited by Denys Johnson-Davies. The American University in Cairo Press, 2013. ISBN: 9774165926 
  • Rosenwasser, David and Jill Stephen. Writing Analytically. 5th Edition. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. ISBN: 1413033105

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS