Spring 2019 - WL 101W D100

Writing in World Literature (3)

Class Number: 5752

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Melek Ortabasi
    mso1@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-8660

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:

Writing About Literature: Dystopian Worlds

How do we wish to live, ideally? How do we build our world in practice? The dystopian worlds that exist in literature can help us understand the communal identities we have created for ourselves in reality. Through the discussion of texts from various cultural backgrounds, we will discover the diverse ways in which dystopian narrative allows us to explore, challenge and reformulate ideas of human society -- present, past, and future. While we discuss notions of real and fictional dystopias as they appear in the texts on our syllabus, we will focus on developing and improving your critical essay-writing skills. Through in-class debate, peer collaboration and writing exercises, we will work towards creating polished comparative essays in which you analyze our readings.
 
 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:


  • Close read a literary text through the lens of critical analysis
  • Formulate an argument based on a literary text
  • Produce an organized comparative literary essay
  • Understand how narrative can be used to explore concepts of human society


Grading

  • Essay 1 15%
  • Essay 2 20%
  • Essay 3 25%
  • Peer Grade 5%
  • Grammar Quizzes 5%
  • 1-page response papers (4) 20%
  • Participation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Vintage Canada, 2007.
ISBN: 978-0307356543

Nakazawa, Keiji. Trans. Project Gen. Barefoot Gen, Vol. 1: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima. Last Gasp, 2004.
ISBN: 978-0867196023

Spiegelman, Art. Maus: A Survivor’s Tale (Maus I). Pantheon, 1986.
ISBN: 978-0394747231

Tawada, Yôko. Trans. Margaret Mitsutani. The Emissary. New Directions, 2018.
ISBN: 978-0811227629

Zamyatin, Yevgeny. Trans. Natasha Randall. We. Modern Library, 2006.
ISBN: 978-0812974621

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