Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - WL 100 D100

What is World Literature? (3)

Class Number: 7113

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2021
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores how texts travel beyond their cultures of origin, influence other cultural contexts and ideas, and become works of world literature. Introduces the concepts of cross-cultural literary criticism and translation. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:


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FICTION has long investigated what it is to move from place to place along with one’s social & political settings, but what of the movement of our feelings?  Beginning from Euripides classic dramatization of the threatening boundaries between public virtues & private passions, we learn to see how the problem of the self in WORLD LITERATURE acquires new metaphors as it travels from place to place.  Following our introduction to the ethics of the body, we explore Oyono’s century-old novella of race & hypocrisy in Africa; Eileen Chang’s Hong Kong stories; Duras’s exploration of love across racial lines; &, lastly, we view the Turkish film Bliss.  Each of our course texts contemplates how cultural & personal outlooks change when they are forced into the open; and each explores the same question: if ‘language is the main instrument of man’s refusal to accept the world as it is,’ how might crossing boundaries be a way of rebelling against difference?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Introductory understanding of World Literature as a field practice                                                                                  
  • Basic comprehension of terms and concepts of literary criticism                        
  • Ability to cognize and compare literary texts as social discourses                        
  • Ability to undertake comparisons across different cultural media

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • In-Class Essay 20%
  • Presentation 10%
  • Term Paper 30%
  • Final Exam 25%

NOTES:

ATTENDANCE:

Regular attendance & engagement are mandatory for successful completion of the course. Attendance will be taken.  It is your responsibility to attend class on time & to stay to the end. Please let me know in advance if you are unable to make a class on medical or other grounds, or if you must leave early.

IMPORTANT: students must provide a note for missed classes (medical or otherwise) – or seek permission beforehand.  Unexcused absences reduce your final grade as follows: second absence 3% / third absence 6% / fourth absence 10% / after five absences you cannot pass the course as you have not completed it.

ESSAY & OPEN BOOK EXAMS:

Term Paper topics will be distributed beforehand.  If you wish to write the essay on a topic outside those given, approval must be sought from me.  You will need to reference at least two scholarly texts relating to your topic (i.e. literary criticism).  There are extensive print resources at SFU library <http://www.lib.sfu.ca/> and article & book length commentaries exist for the works on our reading list.  The short essay and quizzes/exam will occur in real-time (synchronously): all students receive questions and submit responses within the same limited period.

GRADING: Converts to Grade Point Average

A+        95-100%           B+        80-84%             C+        65-69%             D            50-54%

A          90-94%             B          75-79%             C          60-64%             F            0-49%

A-         85-89%             B-         70-74%             C-         55-59%

ONLINE SOURCES:

Remember, very few online sources are acceptable for citation.  Peer reviewed online journals (ie: via JSTOR, MLA, SPRINGER) are welcome; personal web pages, blogs, study sites and so on do NOT count as academic resources.  Use bound journals or as available through the online resources of the SFU library.  For MLA format go to:

< https://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/cite-write/citation-style-guides/mla >

PLEASE NOTE THE SFU POLICY STATEMENTS ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY BELOW:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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   /  http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html 

NOTE:  Except by permission, computers and other digital devices are to be put away in class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

 

REQUIRED READING:

Hippolytus, Euripides ( trans. R. Bagg ). Oxford.
ISBN: 978-0195072907

Houseboy, Ferdinand Oyono. Waveland.
ISBN: 978-1577669883

Love in a Fallen City, Zhang Ailing / Eileen Chang. NYRB.
ISBN: 978-1590171783

The Lover, Marguerite Duras. Pantheon. 
ISBN: 978-0375700521

FILM  [PROVIDED]  Bliss            (Mutluluk)        TURKEY 2007      


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 FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods 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 fall 2021 term.