English 232 – Non-Western World
Literature II Spring 2003
Instructor: Julie Barak
Phone: 248-1072
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: MWF
Home Page: http://mesastate.edu/~jbarak
Course Goals: 1. To become familiar with the development, directions
and theories of postcolonialism. 2. To read various postcolonial texts through
the lens of postcolonial theory. 3) To learn to summarize accurately and
succinctly. 4) To practice applying theory to various texts. 5) To investigate
the value of theory to readers. 6) To develop the habit of critical thinking
when approaching texts and ideas.
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Course
Methods: 1. The most important
pedagogical method of the course will be large group discussion. We’ll ask
questions, connect theory and text, challenge interpretations, build bridges
between past and present and self and other, investigate our reasons for our
responses, argue, agree, resist, compromise, rebel and conform. We must become
a community of learners dedicated to challenging each other to grow in
knowledge and compassion. 2) Because reading the material is imperative to good
discussions, various types of quizzes, oral and written reports will be
required throughout the semester to encourage you to keep current on the
reading.
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Required
Texts:
Achebe, Chinua. Anthills of the Savannah.
Cliff, Michelle. No Telephone to Heaven.
Dangarenbga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions.
McLeod, John. Beginning Postcolonialism.
Murakami, Haruki. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and
the End of the World.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Grain of Wheat.
Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea.
Suri, Manil. The Death of Vishnu.
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Requirements:
Random reading quizzes: Short quizzes over the fiction should be expected
daily, though they will probably occur more randomly. In general, we’ll read
between 50-60 pages of a text for each class. The quizzes will test your
general reading comprehension; they’re not tricky or too detailed. Usually, they’ll consist of 5 factual
questions about events or characters. They may, however, also ask you to
explain motivation or speculate on theme. No make up quizzes. If you’re
not here for the quiz, your quiz grade is zero. I’ll drop the lowest three
grades for the semester. (40%)
Brief written and oral reports:
Chapter Reports: A summary of an assigned section of each chapter of Beginning
Postcolonialism. Your task is to summarize accurately and succinctly enough
to fill your classmates in on the sections of the chapter they may not have
read. Each report should conclude with at least two comments or questions
for generating discussion. No longer than one single spaced page. (8 * 5%
for 40%)
Connection Reports: For each of the last 2 books we read, Suri and Murakami, you’ll submit a 2-3 page double-spaced essay describing your interpretation of a passage, chapter, theme, or character in the text that employs some aspect of postcolonial theory. The basic question you’ll be answering is the following: How are you using the theory to make sense of the text? (2 * 10% for 20%)
Attendance and Participation: Being here is, obviously, crucial for participation in the discussions. We can’t learn from you and you can’t learn from us if you’re not here. So show up and speak up. You have three free absences. Your final grade will drop one letter grade (A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, etc.) for each class you miss after the first three. This means that if you have a B for the class at the end of the semester, but you’ve missed 6 classes, your grade will drop to a C. If you’ve missed 8 classes, it will drop to a D, and so on.
Other Policies and
Procedures: Refer to the Student
Handbook for college policies on Academic Honesty. If you require any kind of
assistance for special needs, please see me and we’ll make arrangements to suit
your situation.
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|
Date |
Reading Assignment |
Writing Assignments |
|
Jan. 13 |
Introductions |
|
|
Jan. 15 |
BP-1 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Jan. 17 |
BP-2, The Overland Mail-Appendix |
Chapter Reports |
|
Jan. 20 |
Ngugi |
|
|
Jan. 22 |
Ngugi |
|
|
Jan. 24 |
Ngugi |
|
|
Jan. 27 |
Ngugi |
|
|
Jan. 29 |
Ngugi |
|
|
Jan. 31 |
BP-3 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Feb. 03 |
Achebe |
|
|
Feb. 05 |
Achebe |
|
|
Feb. 07 |
Achebe |
|
|
Feb. 10 |
Achebe |
|
|
Feb. 12 |
Achebe |
|
|
Feb. 14 |
BP-4 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Feb. 17 |
Winter Break |
|
|
Feb. 19 |
Rhys |
|
|
Feb. 21 |
Rhys |
|
|
Feb. 24 |
Rhys |
|
|
Feb. 26 |
BP-5 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Feb. 28 |
Dangarembga |
|
|
Mar. 03 |
Dangarembga |
|
|
Mar. 05 |
Dangarembga |
|
|
Mar. 07 |
Dangarembga |
|
|
Mar. 10 |
BP-6 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Mar. 12 |
Cliff |
|
|
Mar. 14 |
Cliff |
|
|
Mar. 17-21 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Mar. 24 |
Cliff |
|
|
Mar. 26 |
Cliff |
|
|
Mar. 28 |
BP-7 |
Chapter Reports |
|
Mar. 31 |
Suri |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 02 |
Suri |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 04 |
Suri |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 07 |
Suri |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 09 |
Suri |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 11 |
No Class |
|
|
Apr. 14 |
No Class |
|
|
Apr. 16 |
No Class |
|
|
Apr. 21 |
Murakami |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 23 |
Murakami |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 25 |
Murakami |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 28 |
Murakami |
Connection Reports |
|
Apr. 30 |
Murakami |
Connection Reports |
|
May 02 |
BP-8 |
Chapter Reports |
|
May 07 |
|
Exam -- 1:00 |