Spring 2025 - HUM 309 B100
Literatures and the Arts Across Cultures (4)
Class Number: 5049
Delivery Method: Blended
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Dionysia Eirini Kotsovili
dkotsovi@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
45 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Interdisciplinary study of literary texts and/or artistic forms across cultures and periods. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is taught. 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:
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, cultural (focusing on cinema and art) and political 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 explores key notions that emerge from this examination, e.g. culture, homeland, belonging, otherness, gender, identity (collective, individual), sameness/difference, memory and history, fact and fiction, different forms of violence and impact on individuals, sense of loss and emergence of new identities, transnational communities. Students are presented with a wide range of sources which allow them to compare how specific experiences and notions are reflected upon in the cultural production of different geographical regions; the similarities, differences, overlapping themes and legacies (local/global level).
Grading
- Participation/Canvas posts 18%
- Presentation 14%
- Midterm 20%
- In-class exercises (2) 20%
- Term Paper 20%
- Fim Review 8%
NOTES:
This course fulfills the Global Humanities requirements for the
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Hemingway, Ernest, and ProQuest. For Whom the Bell Tolls / Ernest Hemingway. Scribner, 1996. [available online/SFU Library catalogue]
Orwell, George, and EBSCOhost. Homage to Catalonia / George Orwell ; with a Foreword by Adam Hochschild ; and an Introduction by Lionel Trilling. Classics, 2018. [available online/SFU Library catalogue]
Sacco, Joe. Safe area Goražde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995. Fantagraphics Books, 2018.
ISBN: 978-1560974703
Todorovic, Dragan. The Book of Revenge: A Blues for Yugoslavia. Random House, 2006.
ISBN: 978-0679313960
Apostolides, Marianne. The Lucky Child: A Family Memoir. Mansfield Press, 2010.
ISBN: 978-1894469470
Hislop, Vctoria. Those Who Are Loved. Headline, 2019.
ISBN: 978-1472223234
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
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.