Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - HUM 309 B100

Literatures and the Arts Across Cultures (4)

20th C. European Civil War

Class Number: 6263

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An interdisciplinary study of literary texts in translation and/or art forms across cultures and periods. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Students with credit for HS 309 or WL 309 under this topic, or HS 303 under the title "Reflection on the Greek Civil War" may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Guernica, Pablo Picasso
Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, 1937.

This course examines literary works based on 20th c. European civil wars. It succinctly surveys three paradigms (Spanish, Greek and Yugoslav) by initially making references to the historical background in order to study literary works emerging from different national contexts with a focus on an individual’s reflection on civil war. It subsequently addresses themes that emerge from this examination, e.g. gender, identity, sameness/difference, memory, fact and fiction. In the process, references and comparisons are made to artistic and filmic representations of civil war in the given cultural contexts.

 

Grading

  • Participation/Canvas posts 15%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Midterm 20%
  • In-class exercises (2) 10%
  • Portfolio 40%

NOTES:

This course counts towards a concentration in Art and Material Cutlure and Hellenic Studies for students in a Humanities major or minor program, as well as the Hellenic Studies Certificate.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Hemingway, E. 1995. For Whom the Bell Tolls. New York: Scribner. ISBN 9780684803357

Orwell, G. 2000. Homage to Catalonia. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 9781604443493

Kazantzakis, N. 1985. The Fratricides. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780571105069 (purchase online)

Apostolides, M. 2010. The Lucky Child. Toronto: Mansfield Press. ISBN 9781894469470

Sacco, J. 2000. Safe area Goražde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995. Fantagraphics Books. ISBN 9781560974703

Todorovic, D. 2006. The Book of Revenge: A Blues for Yugoslavia. Random House. ISBN 9780679313977


RECOMMENDED READING:

Glenny, M. 1996. The fall of Yugoslavia: The Third Balkan War (3rd ed., revised). London: Penguin Books.

Kalyvas, S. 2006. The Logic of Violence in Civil War. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Preston, P. 2009. We saw Spain die: foreign correspondents in the Spanish Civil War (revised and expanded edition). London: Constable and Robinson.

Benson, F. R. 1967. Writers in Arms: The Literary Impact of the Spanish Civil War. New York, NY: New York University Press.

Close, D. H. (ed.). 1993. The Greek Civil War, 1943–1950: Studies of Polarisation. New York: Routledge.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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