Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2016 - WL 101W D100

Writing About Literature (3)

Class Number: 2838

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2016: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines international migrancy, cultural identities, or cross-cultural influence in world literatures, while introducing the fundamentals of literary analysis and expository writing. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course begins at the intersections between cultures. The authors are all people who, while deeply rooted in one tradition, also live their lives in another: Yangsze Choo is ethnically Chinese from a family which has been in Malaysia for generations; Nnedi Okrafor is an American whose parents immigrated from Nigeria. Other works come from the oral traditions of indigenous minority groups, one from the United Kingdom and one local to the Lower Mainland. Finally, we look at the writings of José Luis Borges, whose masterful command of multiple sets of knowledge made him one of the pinnacles of modern World Literature. The readings for the course include poetry, novels, myths, legends, folktales, and drama. Above all, this is a writing course. By the end of the course, you should be comfortable writing fluently in formal standard Canadian English, including the conventions of punctuation and grammar used in the formal language.  The focus is on how to write effectively about literature, but the skills being built are crucial to success in every field.

Grading

  • Essay One - 8% (Writing Exercise 5%, Peer Review 3% Revision 10%) 26%
  • Essay Two - 12% (Writing Exercise 5%, Peer Review 3% Revision 15%) 35%
  • Essay Three - 18% (Writing Exercise 5%, Peer Review 3%) 26%
  • Tutorial Participation 13%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Argentina:                   José Luis Borges, Labyrinths (New Directions,  978-0811216999)
Malaysia + China:        Yangsze Choo, The Ghost Bride (William Morrow, 978-0062227331) 
Salish Nation:              M. Terry Thompson and Steven M. Egesdal, editors, Salish Myths and Legends: One People's Stories (University of Nebraska Press, 978-0803210899)
Nigeria + USA:            Nnedi Okrafor, Who Fears Death (DAW, 978-0756406691)
Wales:                        Selected poetry and folklore, translated by the instructor (on Canvas)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Katherine Barber, ed., Paperback Oxford Canadian Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 978-0195424393) William E. Messenger et al.,

The Canadian Writer's Handbook: Essentials Edition (Oxford University Press, 978-0195430394)

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