KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED BY STUDENTS:
- Increased ability to interpret meaning in literary texts by paying close attention to an author’s choice of detail, vocabulary, and style
- Ability to discuss the relationship between different genres of literary texts and the multicultural environments from which they spring
- Increased confidence in offering a critical evaluation and appreciation of a literary work’s strengths and limitations
- Increased confidence in the oral presentation of ideas
- Increased ability to write critical essays employing a strong thesis statement, appropriate textual citations, and contextual and intertextual evidence for their ideas
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Attendance is mandatory. See policy below.
- You should come to class having read all assigned material carefully. Discussion is a crucial aspect of the course; you will need to have the text with you. I recommend reading all assignments with a pencil in hand.
- Two papers will be assigned; a meeting with me is required before each. Additionally, occasional submission of questions and/or response paragraphs will be required. All writing should be typed, double-spaced, proofread, and stapled.
- Occasional quizzes may be given over the day’s reading assignment. Regular blog postings are mandatory.
- There will be an in-class midterm and two-hour final based on readings and discussions.
GRADING:
Formal Paper #1: 20%
Formal Paper #2: 20%
Midterm: 20%
Final: 20%
Responses, quizzes,
marked improvement,
thoughtful blog contributions,
and lively participation: 20%
ABSENCES AND LATENESS:
Absence is excused for compelling reasons: illness (with a doctor’s note); observance of a religious holiday; serious personal crisis. According to department policy, more than four unexcused absences will result in your being dropped from the course. Three or more unexcused absences negatively affect your final grade, as will chronic lateness. Cell phones must be turned off during class time. You will be asked to leave class and counted absent if your phone rings in class. Please do not try me on this. Do not plan to leave the classroom during class unless you are seriously ill. Food and drink are permitted only if not disruptive and if disposed of afterwards.
A NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. You are responsible for knowing what constitutes academic dishonesty and for avoiding any instance of it, however minute. Failure to do so will result in failure of the course and in being reported to the dean of students. Please read Baruch’s policy: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Following is a general schedule, subject to change; specific assignments will be given at the end of each class. It is the student’s responsibility to stay apprised of assignments and deadlines.
| 1/31 | Introduction, creation stories– Hymn to the Sun* | ||
| 2/2 | creation stories—Popul Vuh*, Genesis* | ||
| 2/7 | Gilgamesh | ||
| 2/9 | Gilgamesh | ||
| 2/14 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 2/16 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 2/21 | Presidents’ Day—College is CLOSED | ||
| 2/23 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 2/28 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 3/2 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 3/7 | Homer, The Odyssey | ||
| 3/9 | The Bhagavad Gita, selections* | ||
| 3/14 | The Gospel According to John, selections* | ||
| 3/16 | Paper workshop | ||
| 3/21 | REVIEW | Paper #1 | |
| 3/23 | MIDTERM | MIDTERM | |
| 3/28 | Virgil, from The Aeneid * | ||
| 3/30 | Yuan Chen, “The Story of Ying Ying.” * | ||
| 4/4 | The Tain | ||
| 4/6 | The Tain | ||
| 4/11 | The One Thousand and One Nights | ||
| 4/13 | The One Thousand and One Nights | ||
| 4/17-26 | SPRING BREAK | ||
| 4/27 | The One Thousand and One Nights | ||
| 5/2 | Boccaccio, from The Decameron | ||
| 5/4 | The Decameron | ||
| 5/9 | The Decameron | ||
| 5/11 | Montaigne, essays* | ||
| 5/16 | Paper workshop | ||
| 5/18 | REVIEW | Paper #2 | |