Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2015 - WL 102 D900

Literature Across Cultures (3)

Class Number: 4713

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 13, 2015: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2015
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Surrey

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. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Ever question why we punish or where our definitions of good, bad, and evil come from? Ever wonder what happens to laws and regulations at times of revolution and shifts in power structures? If you are interested in these questions, this is the class for you. It is specifically designed for students with interdisciplinary interests in literature, criminology, philosophy, and psychology.  

We will explore the law’s machinery in connection 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 
  • Overview of the structure of a paragraph and the outline of a thesis paper

Grading

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

NOTES:

THESE TEXT BOOKS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STUDENT BOOKSTORE, SO PLEASE ORDER THEM ONLINE BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER!

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Nietzsche, Friedrich.
Basic Writings of Nietzsche.
Transl. 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 Classic, 2011
ISBN: 0141196060

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