Summer 2021 - WL 320 D100

Interdisciplinary Approaches to World Literature (3)

Hidden Soundscapes: Music/Theatre/Performance

Class Number: 4420

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Intermediate seminar on the intersections between World Literature and other modes of cultural expression, or other academic disciplines. May focus on different methodological approaches to World Literature, for instance gender, cultural, or performance studies. Alternatively, may explore literature in relation to music, theatre, film, the visual arts, or digital humanities. This course may be repeated for credit when different topics are offered. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

A description of my image

Like world theatre and “performance,” the contemporary world music-video scene includes a bewildering array of styles and aims. Whether one thinks of the Broadway musical, South Africa’s Die Antwoord, or modern adaptations of Japanese Kabuki theatre, the performing arts continue to evolve in surprising ways – not least when the digital era is brought into the mix.

Exploring musical theatre and music video across several global genres provides new realms of cross-cultural investigation at the nexus of world literature, pop culture, and national understanding. This interactive course invites students to present projects on musical “theatre” from the lyrical tragedy of Sanskrit or Greek drama to the Peking Opera, and then outwards towards the boundary-hopping contemporary potential of K-pop, J-pop, Bollywood, or the soundstages of Africa, Asia, or the West.

IMPORTANT: WL 320 is a Canvas/Zoom course.  Students complete the course readings / viewings on their own time (asynchronously) prior to each week’s synchronous zoom-seminar: TH 2:30PM - 5:20PM.  Except for the films we will be watching, all course materials will be available on canvas, and the online course textbook is freely available through SFU Library.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understanding of World Literature as an interdisciplinary practice
  • Comprehension of the terms and concepts of performance-based criticism
  • Ability to cognize and compare musical or cinematic “texts” as social discourses
  • Ability to extend comparisons across different cultural media

Grading

  • Short Paper 20%
  • Term Paper 25%
  • Midterm Test 25%
  • World Music Presentation 15%
  • Participation & Attendance 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Thie following required text is available online at the SFU Library. Students do not need to purchase this text. 

THEATRE HISTORIES: AN INTRODUCTION 2nd Edition, Routledge (2010) ISBN 978-0415462242 P Zarrilli, B. McConachie, G. Williams, et al (eds.)


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 SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).