Literature

Study world literature

There is indeed a lot of literature in the world, and there is no question of covering it all. Instead our World Literature courses focus on providing students with the tools necessary to negotiate the global literary landscape and their own position in it: openness, wonder, critical thinking, self-reflexivity, and an awareness of the centrality of translation to all human interaction, whether literary or otherwise.

Prepare to embark on a transformative journey that goes beyond language learning, allowing you to explore diverse cultures, exchange ideas, and connect with the world through the power of literature.

Our World Literature courses offer a captivating selection of literary works translated into English, covering a wide range of themes and topics. Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of global voices, as you navigate stories that transcend time, space, and language barriers. You'll find yourself identifying with characters from different eras and corners of the world, delving into the depths of political expression through literature, and discovering the profound impact of authors in exile.

The learning environment we cultivate is compelling and thought-provoking, fostering a deeper understanding of humanity's shared experiences and shedding light on the intricate tapestry of human existence. As you scroll down this page, you will find detailed course descriptions that will entice you to embark on this extraordinary literary odyssey.

Join us at the Department of World Languages and Literatures and embrace the power of literature to transcend boundaries, ignite your imagination, and foster a global perspective. Explore the world through the written word and unlock the treasures of World Literature in a multicultural landscape.

Put your course work towards a minor or a major. 

Minor in World Literature →

Major in World Literature →

Literature Courses- SPRING 2024

WL 100 - What is World Literature?

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 100 D100 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D101 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D102 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D900 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
WL 100 D901 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey

WL 101W - Writing in World Literature

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 101W D100 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D101 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D102 Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D103 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 103W - Early World Literatures

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 103W D100 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 103W D101 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 103W D102 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 104W - Modern World Literatures

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 104W D100 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 104W D101 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 104W D102 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 200 - How to Do Things with World Literature

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 200 D100 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 203 - Subversive Genres

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 203 D100 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 309 - Empire and Resistance ( Latin American mestizaje)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 309 D100 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 320 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to World Literature (Black Women’s Writing & Female Agency)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 320 D100 Joel Akinwumi
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 320 D101 Joel Akinwumi
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 330 - Special Topic in World Literature (Ecology & Literature:Nature, Fiction, Poetry)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 330 D100 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 330 D101 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 340 - Directed Studies

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 340 D100 Maria Barraza
TBA
Location: TBA

WL 403 - Contemporary World Literature

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 403 D100 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Previous Courses

Literature courses - SPRING 2024

WL 100 - What is World Literature?

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 100 D100 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D101 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D102 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 100 D900 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
WL 100 D901 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey

WL 101W - Writing in World Literature

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 101W D100 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D101 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D102 Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 101W D103 Kenneth Seigneurie
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 103W - Early World Literatures

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 103W D100 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 103W D101 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 103W D102 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 104W - Modern World Literatures

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 104W D100 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 104W D101 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 104W D102 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 309 - Empire and Resistance ( Latin American mestizaje)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 309 D100 Maria Barraza
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 320 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to World Literature (Black Women’s Writing & Female Agency)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 320 D100 Joel Akinwumi
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 320 D101 Joel Akinwumi
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 330 - Special Topic in World Literature (Ecology & Literature:Nature, Fiction, Poetry)

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 330 D100 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
WL 330 D101 Mark Deggan
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby

WL 340 - Directed Studies

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 340 D100 Maria Barraza
TBA
Location: TBA

WL 403 - Contemporary World Literature

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
WL 403 D100 Gianluca Oluic
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Even more World Literature courses

Interested in knowing what other World Literature courses you can take in future semesters? See our full course offering on SFU's Student Services website.