Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - WL 101W D100

Writing in World Literature (3)

Class Number: 7332

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 7, 2022
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores literary texts from diverse linguistic and cultural origins while introducing students to the fundamentals of comparative literary analysis and critical writing. May examine cross-cultural interactions, or compare texts thematically. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

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WL 101W – Writing in World Literature: The Short Story

Short prose fiction in the form of anecdotes, myths, parables, yarns and tales have been a part of human cultural heritage for probably as long as language itself. The short story as we know it today has a much briefer history, barely more than 200 years. This course will explore a range of brilliant short stories from around the world. We shall see how learning to read literary texts is to the soul what food is to the body. The course will provide students with a good background in understanding literary technique and the short story as an art form in its own right. Our approach will be to “close read” a range of short stories on themes such as: crime, love, mortality, the preternatural, and then learn how to write a university-level persuasive essay in which we argue for our insights. Critical texts will be few in number and commensurate with the norms of a 100-level course.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understanding the short story as an art form
  • Analyzing literary texts by attending to formal and thematic cues
  • Formulating arguments based on textual analysis
  • Writing well organized critical essays
  • Expressing ideas and arguments orally

Grading

  • Essay 1 (5 pages) 15%
  • Essay 2 (8 pages) + rewrite (15% + 25%) 40%
  • Oral Report on Essay 2 10%
  • Final Exam 25%
  • Participation / Group work 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The Art of the Short Story. Editors: Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn. New York: Pearson, 1st edition (2005) ISBN-13: 978-0321363633

Selected texts provided by the instructor


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