Spring 2022 - WL 402 D100

Stories of Modernity (4)

Class Number: 7567

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including two 300-level courses in World Literature, English, and/or Humanities.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Modernity, defined as “rapid, traumatic change across social, political, technological and artistic realms,” has arguably occurred the world over at various times. This course examines how literature has reflected and inflected the emergence of modernity in two or more cultures since the 14th century.

COURSE DETAILS:

Stories of Modernity: Money and Power

What do money and power promise? Happiness? Fulfillment? Meaning in life? All or none of the above, of course, depending on the individual, but culturally speaking, if wealth and power have always been objects of desire, in this course we shall explore how the modern world reframes them and the promises they offer. We’ll begin by examining a clearly pre-modern vision of money and power but almost immediately shift to a new, early modern vision. We’ll follow their cultural constructions through literature, film and theory right down to the present. Because this is a literature course, we’ll privilege a literary method for tracing the vagaries of our topic through creative texts, especially the novel (that most modern of literary genres). At the same time, we will study theorizations that illuminate various aspects of money and power and their relation to desire, imagination, social status and gender roles.

While taught by one instructor, this course has been conceived in collaboration. Azadeh Yamini-Hamedani and Ken Seigneurie have each chosen half the readings. The responsibility for their treatment in the classroom, for course grading and policies is entirely Ken’s.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Critical thinking and analytical writing
  • Writing a thesis and a research paper
  • Engaging with secondary sources 
  • Developing authorial voice and viewpoint
  • Presenting and public speaking

Grading

  • Short essay (5 pages) 20%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Final research paper proposal, oral report and paper (10-12 pages) (15% + 5% + 25%) 45%
  • Participation and oral reports on a text (10% + 5%) 15%

NOTES:

COURSE POLICY: The SFU Code of Academic Integrity and Good Conduct (policy S 10.01) will be enforced. More than one unexcused absence from class will adversely affect the final grade. Unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor, three or more unexcused absences will yield an F for the course.  

Email me if you become ill. According to the SFU Faculty Association: “Instructors will be able to remove masks while teaching, provided appropriate physical distancing can be maintained.”

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All texts will be provided by the instructor except:

Al Aswany, Alaa. The Yacoubian Building (HarperCollins, 2006) ISBN: 13:9780060878139, available on Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-yacoubian-building-a-novel/9780060878139-item.html?ikwid=the+yacoubian+building&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=37a01bf5d4fa92cc14bb2da50e3698ac


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.