Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - ENGL 115W D100

Literature and Culture (3)

Class Number: 1528

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 16, 2019
    Tue, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media. Students with credit for ENGL 105W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

The World in Culture

Flaubert, reflecting on the novel, once said "There should be something to eat and drink on every page." In this course, we'll look for such sustenance across a range of genres, fiction and non-fiction, time periods and areas of the world in order to ask some big questions about how literature and culture work:  How are literature and culture a record of their own time? How does history enter different works of literature and culture? How might we envision the relationship between art and life? What can we learn from seeing culture in context, the world in literature?  

Issues to be considered will include the representation of race, class and gender, the role of technology, utopian and dystopian visions of the world, imperial and postcolonial relations, and how different forms of culture—from plays to climate fiction, coming-of-age stories to the essay film—imagine the world both as it is and how it might be in a better future.

Grading

  • First Essay (1,000 -1,200 words), which includes revision 25%
  • Second Essay (1,500 -1,700 words) 30%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Tutorial participation, informal writing exercises, and attendance 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

William Shakespeare, The Tempest
Paolo Bacigalupi, The Water Knife
Bertolt Brecht, Life of Galileo
 Zora Neale Hurston, Spunk
Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions  

Films:  
Agnes Varda, The Gleaners and I
Kidlat Tahimik, The Perfumed Nightmare

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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