Jan 17 --

English 232 – Non-Western World Literature (3 credits): 41605-001

Class Time and Place: MWF 12:00-12:50 in Houston 215

Your Instructor: Dr. Julie Barak

Office Phone: 248-1072

Office: LHH 446 – A.M. LHH 452 – P.M.

Office Hours: MW 8:00-8:50, 2:00-2:50,

F 8:00-8:50

Syllabus subject to change. Please consult on-line syllabus at http://www.mesastate.edu/~jbarak for most current version.

GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES ADDRESSED IN THIS COURSE:

The following have been chosen from the list of General Education Objectives shown in its entirety in the Mesa State College Catalog:

OBJECTIVE 1—Students will be able to think critically and creatively.

OBJECTIVE 2—Students will appreciate the contributions of literature to our perception of ourselves and our world.

Assessment measures will be implemented to monitor achievement of objectives.

Course Goals: This course has been designated a GE-25 Pathways course. This means that it will transfer as a humanities credit to any institution of higher learning in the state of Colorado. In order to be granted this designation, the course must meet minimum reading and writing requirements established by the state, as well as address the following critical thinking skills: a) Identifying and differentiating questions, problems and arguments, b) Evaluating the appropriateness of various methods of reasoning and verification, c) Identifying and assessing stated and unstated assumptions, d) Critically comparing different points of view, e) Formulating questions and problems, f) Constructing and developing cogent arguments, g) Discussing alternative points of view, h) Evaluating the quality of evidence and reasoning.

In an attempt to meet the above general education goals through course-specific content goals, the course will develop or enhance the following skills/abilities/knowledge base of its participants: 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.

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) Some lectures to introduce and explain theoretical concepts. 3) Sharing of journals to promote critical thinking and discussion. 4) Writing assignments to encourage organization of ideas and to practice skills.

Assignments:

Journal and 2 Questions: The class will be divided into two groups. Every other day, each group member should bring a 250 word written response to the reading assignment to class. At the end of your response, please append two questions you’d like us to consider about the material. (300 points total.)

Short Essays (4-5 pages): At midterm and at the end of the semester, you’ll compose an essay bringing together the theory and one or more of the texts we’ve read. See handout for details. (150 points each.)

Exams: Twice during the semester, you’ll be asked to write an in-class essay dealing with issues we’ve been discussing as a group. (100 points each.)

Attendance and Participation: In a workshop setting, your contributions to discussion are very important. If you’re not here, you not only can’t learn from what goes on, you also can’t share what you know. So, show up and speak up. Attendance is required and points are lost when you don’t come to class. Every hour of class you miss, costs you 4 points. If you don’t miss any class time, you’ll receive 20 bonus points at the end of the semester which you can apply to any other grade you’ve received for the class. Late work will also be penalized through loss of participation points at my discretion.

Points and Grades:

Journal 300

Short Essays 300

Exams 200

Attendance and Participation: 200

Total: 1000

Grade: 900-1000 = A, 899-800 = B, 799-700 = C, 699-600 = D, Below 600 = F

Required Texts:

Mc Leod, John	Beginning Postcolonialism
Shakespeare, William	The Tempest
Cesaire, Aime	A Tempest
Ngugi wa Thiong’O	A Grain of Wheat
Aidoo, Ama Ata	Changes
Roy, Arundhati	The God of Small Things
Roy, Arundhati	Public Power in the Age of Empire
Cliff, Michelle	No Telephone to Heaven
Ghosh, Amitov	The Shadow Lines
Abe, Kobo	Woman in the Dunes
Murakami, Haruki	Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Achebe, Chinua	Anthills of the Savannah

Policies and Procedures:

Academic Honesty: Refer to the Student Handbook for college policies on Academic Honesty. You are cautioned (1) against using, word for word, without acknowledgment, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc. from the printed or manuscript material of others; (2) against using with only slight changes the materials of others; and (3) against using the general plan, the main headings, or a rewritten form of someone else’s material. These cautions apply to the work of other students as well as to the published work of professional writers. (Department of English, Purdue University) Violations will be handled according to the guidelines suggested in the Student Handbook.

Students w/ Disabilities: In coordination with Educational Access Services, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please meet with the instructor the first week of class to make arrangements. Educational Access Services can be contacted at 248-1856, or in person at 954 North Avenue.

Tutorial Learning Center = TLC: The TLC is a FREE academic service for all MSC students. Tutors are available on a walk-in basis for many courses. Needing to ask a quick question? Seeking homework clarification? Looking for feedback on a paper? Reviewing for a test? Come to Houston Hall 110 on Mondays through Thursdays from 8AM-7PM and Fridays from 8AM-5PM to meet with one of our peer tutors. Please call 970-248-1392 with any questions.

Schedule for Spring 2009

Date		Theme/Reading Assignment	Activity
Month	Day
Jan.	21		Introductions
	23	The West -- The Tempest – Acts 1-3	Journal Due – 1
	26	The West – The Tempest – Acts 4 and 5 1-16 of McLeod	Journal Due – 2
	27		Last day to withdraw with 90% refund
	28	The Rest – A Tempest 17-34 of McLeod	Journal Due – 1
	30	Colonial Discourse – Chapter 2 of McLeod The Overland Mail – p. 259 of McLeod	Journal Due – 2
Feb.	2	Nation Building – McLeod 67-92 Ngugi	Journal Due – 1
	3		Last day to add or drop without receiving a grade
	4	Ngugi	Journal Due – 2
	6	Ngugi	Journal Due – 1
	9	92-100 of McLeod Ngugi	Journal Due – 2
	10		Last day for total withdrawal with 50% refund
	11	Nation in Question – 102-130 of McLeod Achebe	Journal Due – 1
	13	Achebe	Journal Due – 2
	16	Achebe	Journal Due – 1
	18	Achebe	Journal Due – 2
	20	Achebe	Journal Due – 1
	23	130-136 of McLeod Achebe	Journal Due – 2
	25		Exam
	27	Postcolonialism and Feminism 172-199 of McLeod Aidoo	Journal Due – 1
Mar.	2	Aidoo	Journal Due – 2
	4	Aidoo	Journal Due – 1
	6	Aidoo	Journal Due – 2
	8	Aidoo	Journal Due – 1
	9		Essay #1 Due
	11		Spring Break
	13		Spring Break
	16	Roy G of ST	Journal Due – 2
	18	Roy G of ST	Journal Due – 1 Last day to withdraw from a full semester class with a grade or a W.
	19	Roy G of ST	Last day to withdraw with 25% refund
	20	Roy G of ST	Journal Due – 2
	23	Roy G of ST	Journal Due – 1
	25	Roy PP – ½	Journal Due – 2
	27	Roy PP – ½	Journal Due – 1
	30	Diaspora Identities – McLeod 205-232 Cliff	Journal Due – 2
Apr.	1	Cliff	Journal Due – 1
	3	Cliff	Journal Due – 2
	6	Cliff	Journal Due – 1
	8	Ghosh	Journal Due – 2
	10	Ghosh	Journal Due – 1
	13	Ghosh	Journal Due – 2
	15	Ghosh	Journal Due – 1
	17	Ghosh	Journal Due – 2
	20		Exam
	22	Abe	Journal Due – 1
	24	Abe	Journal Due – 2
	27	Abe McLeod 239-258	Journal Due – 1
	29	Murakami	Journal Due – 2
May	1	Murakami	Journal Due – 1
	4	Murakami	Journal Due – 2
	6	Murakami	Journal Due – 1
	8	Murakami	Journal Due – 2
	11		Essay #2 Due