General Information Course Name: Course Number: Semester: Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Phone Extension: Email: Course Syllabus World Literature Summer 2014 Gigi Hetrick 131 TBA (724) 744-4471 ext 1131 hetrickg@penntrafford.org Catalog Description The purpose of this course is to read works from across the globe and from different eras, while not ignoring the universal message of strife and the questioning and discovery of self. Not only will students have to learn and acknowledge themes, but also students will make personal connections. Objectives: General Course objectives Students literary experience is broadened philosophically and through differentiated personal heritage. Students will investigate specific literary works, terminology, within historical periods. Students will gain understanding and awareness of general human problems. Students will understand literary works and periods in relation to their own time and situation. Learners will take all literary terms, elements of historical content, and political/social views incorporating them into discussions. Learning Outcomes The student will have the necessary knowledge and skills to: 1. Analyze a piece of literature from the assigned period and effectively write about it using appropriate critical strategies and other materials required by the instructor. 2. Appreciate literature in its broader social context and thereby garner insights into the human condition through examination of such fundamental relationships as those between man and self, man and society, and man and nature.
3. Have an appreciation for the historical context of literature, how it affects and reflects the age in which it was written, and how it is linked to broader historical currents in politics, philosophy, psychology, science, art, and music as well as how it resonates within contemporary culture. Online discussion and writing will be evaluated for depth and understanding with purpose. The purpose of this course is to read from across the globe, from different era s, but not ignoring the universal message of strife, questioning of self, and discovery. Not only will students have to learn and acknowledge the themes, but students will have to personally connect to the literature- what makes it timeless. A final project with literary theory essay will be accomplished to pass the course. Texts Used Oedipus- Sopholocles Metamorphosis- Kafka or Candide- Voltaire The Things They Carried- Tim O Brian or The Handmaidens Tale- Margret Atwood The God of Small Things- Arundhati Roy Plagiarism Any form of plagiarism detected by the instructor will result in serious academic consequences for the student as noted in the Student Handbook. I will notify you immediately if plagiarism is detected on your part. Grading Procedures Assignments must be submitted on the due date, unless an extension has been granted in advance. An assignment submitted late will have the original grade reduced by one letter grade for EACH class that it is late. You will not have the opportunity to make up these points. You are expected to consistently meet deadlines for all assignments. Therefore all papers must be submitted either early or during the class period they are due to receive full credit towards the final grade. If you have an emergency just before class on a day when a paper or exam is due, you are required to telephone or email prior to the start of class in order to receive an extension. Attendance Students will be required to log- in to the course at a minimum of three days per week. Paper Evaluation The point value for each paper will be 100 points. A criterion will be given which will be followed by a discussion of my expectations. Each student is
required to save all papers in order to keep track of his or her progress and compute his or her grade. Grading Scale 90-100 80-89 70-79 60-69 0-59 A B C D F Course Schedule WEEK ONE: Oedipus Rex 1. Introduction to course, getting students accustom to online course and navigation with small readings and viewings to start. 2. Students will gather background knowledge on Freud: who he is and what he accomplished. 3. Introduction to Greek theater 4. Introduction to a tragic hero 5. Understanding of: a. In Media Res b. Hamartia, Peripeteia, Catharsis c. Ethos, Pathos, Logos d. Anagnorsis, Catastrophe Learners will now have to find examples of each of the Understanding with a Speech given within the last 20 years. Examples will be displayed in an online classroom. And critique will occur with online learners writing on the piece. 6. Reading Oedipus- beside the obvious message, irony and internal strife will be addressed. Online class will be determined in office hours. 7. Journaling/ Test 8. Two page Essay and Peer Response WEEK TWO: Candide 1. Who is Voltaire- Notes given and taken online with the following elements 2. Age of Enlightenment 3. French Revolution 4. The philosophy of Optimism- Gottfried Wilhelm Liebniz Alexander Pope- Investigated by students in collaboration of elements distributed by instructor. 5. Libson Earthquake (1755) small journal after information given 6. Understanding of: Collaboration of Students
a. Satire b. Propaganda c. Auto- da- fe d. Deism e. Noble savage f. Nom du plume g. Panglossian 7. Discussion Scheduled for uploading notes, uploading what is Optimism, and finding elements of this philosophy today. 8. Read Candide- discussions will be scheduled through blog or discussion board. 9. Exam given on elements of novel and novel itself. 10. Discussion board and comments on peer work. WEEK THREE AND FOUR: The Things They Carried 1. Background on O Brian 2. Vocabulary- Students will define, find examples in media, and share with others on Group Wiki. a. Symbolism b. Dark or Black Humor c. Paradox d. POV e. Reliable Narrator 3. Vietnam War and the war at home- historical content/ students research together and find significant historical elements affecting the time of the novel. Students will accomplish a small paper, creatively with the items carried in to war. 4. Exam 5. Military Fortitude/ Weight of war and of courage- military perspective, soldier vs. commander; society vs. government. Essay- relevance to today- post, peer will comment and review. 6. Read The Things They Carried in chapters and questions with peer responses or blog led by teacher, carried through by student. WEEK FIVE AND SIX: The God of Small Things 1. Introduction and overview- All the following will be grouped and discussed on a day- to- day basis. a. Author b. Article on Kerala and India c. Religion Division d. Political e. Multilingualism f. Social Divisions g. Gender/Marriage
2. Map- Historical Periods 3. Blending of fact and fiction 4. Reading of chapters and online discussion- time set. Discussion and ideas shared. WEEK SEVEN AND EIGHT PROJECT AND PAPER: The God Of Small Things 1. Continued reading and discussion of novel use of symbolism and the ideas within the novel explaining this element. 2. Office hours will be set for students, documents will be shared: outline, rough drafts, project depiction. Google Doc, peer response, teacher response on ideas. 3. End exam will be given in required class attendance.