Peru State College
ENGLISH 335, NONWESTERN LITERATURE
Syllabus--Fall--2010
Course: English 335 Nonwestern Literature
Time: 8:00-9:15, MW
Room: TJM 3265
Professor: Bill Clemente
Office: TJM 315
Office Hours: MW, 2:00-3:30; TTh, 9:00-11:00; F, 10:00-11:00
Office Telephone Number: (872)-2233
E- mail:
(I check e-mail frequently and will get back to you as quickly as possible.)
Teaching Schedule:
8:00-9:15 MW (TJM 325): Non-Western Literature
9:30-10:45 MW (TJM 325): Graphic Novel
11:00-12:15 MW (TJM 326): British Literature
Creative Writing (On Line, first Eight Weeks)
11:00-11:50 Friday (TJM 325): College 101
Web page: Click here. And then click on "Bill's Personal Web Page"
Please pay close attention to class announcements, for the information collected here is subject to change over the course of the term.
To promote academic integrity, Peru State College subscribes to an electronic service to review papers for the appropriate citations and originality. Key elements of submitted papers are stored electronically in a limited access database and thus become a permanent part of the material to which future submissions are compared.
Continued enrollment in a course signifies your permission for this use of your written work.
Should you not wish to agree to this procedure, you may drop the course during the add/drop period before any works are completed and submitted.
Required Texts:
One World of Literature by Lim and Spencer
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama
Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell
Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Please pay close attention to class announcements, for the information collected here is subject to change over the course of the term.
At the conclusion of this document, you will find links to download Word and PDF file versions of this syllabus.
Course Description and Objectives:
English 335 introduces readers to what will be for many a rather new world of literature, to material you might not otherwise have either occasion to encounter or the inclination to read.
As you will discover this semester, common themes and human interests bind the drama, fiction, and poetry of the entire world. As you will come to appreciate, moreover, what looks familiar often reveals significant differences; and these differences in turn make the similarities all the more striking.Non- Western Literature will familiarize you with works by African, Caribbean, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Pacific, and Native American authors and help you broaden your appreciation of all literature, my promise to you.
In addition to being sophisticated literature, the reading material is additionally exciting and always challenging.
Know that sophisticated authors such as Chinua Achebe (Nigeria), Zee Edgell (Belize), Michio Takeyama (Japan), and Witi Ihimaera (New Zealand) are not interested in attacking Western Civilization; they have more important themes to emphasize, such as the necessity for people of different backgrounds and cultures to understand one another and to treat one another with mutual respect.None of the conflicts the works address admits a simple solution.
And as a glance at either the evening newspaper or CNN underscores, what you will read about over the next few months remains very much in the news, from the frightening AIDS epidemic in southern Africa to the equally horrifying fighting in the Middle East; from our country's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the potential for nuclear confrontation between India and Pakistan.
In addition to the drama, poetry, and short stories included in your anthology, you will read a novel by one of the world's foremost authors, Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart), about the confrontation of white colonists with Igbo culture in a section of modern Nigeria.
This class will also introduce you to a challenging and at times hilarious narrative, Beka Lamb, by Zee Edgell, one of the Caribbean's great voices and a prize-winning novelist. This novel concerns the struggles of a young girl's coming of age, torn between colonial and ancestral values as she struggles to affirm her identity. In addition, you will read Michimo Takeyama's sympathetic account of Japanese soldiers in Burma at the end of WW II. Likewise, you will have the opportunity to experience the novel Whale Rider, a wonderful work made into an excellent film about a young Maori girl's coming of age in modern New Zealand.
Acquainting you with this literature, the class grapples with complex issues concerning Art and Artifice, Gender Roles, Racism, Colonialism, Religion, and other matters involving human relations, often in the context of political and economic oppression.
As you will discover, however, this literature of conflict points always to a difficult and requisite healing process.
To analyze and to appreciate cultural differences without obvious prejudice requires both that you keep an open mind and that you willingly question the social norms our society nurtures in each of us. Bear in mind that making the effort necessary to appreciate new perspectives brings gratifying results.
In a traditional class setting, I strive through the use of multi-media presentations--film, music, guest appearances, etc.--to reinforce recurrent themes. While viewing an excellent film from Mali on-line is not possible for us (at least not at this juncture), I will make suggestions as the semester turns about films you can watch and supply video supplements to class material.Our library offers an excellent selection of literature from Africa and the Caribbean; and over the years, we have increased our film holdings to approximately 50 examples of excellent African cinema.
Other Goals and Objectives:
Inasmuch as this course fills General Education requirements for Global Studies, English 335 uses literature and other media to instill in students a greater interest in and understanding of the multi-cultural world that surrounds and involves them.
Non-Western Literature also takes an interdisciplinary approach central to the Liberal Arts Education on which Peru State College prides itself. Through film and other narrative accounts, the class discussions and material include, among other things, history, sociology, economics, and politics.
The African, Caribbean, and Asian countries become increasingly more central to the United States and certainly to Nebraska, especially in areas of trade.
Thus the course seeks not only to talk about the literature and culture of many Non-Western countries to which the course gives attention but also to suggest ways in which the conflicts affect and are otherwise tied to our nation's concerns, from attempts to counter the terrible AIDS epidemic in Africa, to the conflicts with which American Indians contend, from the droughts that plague many areas to the terrorist attacks that afflict the United states.
The preceding areas of emphasis contribute to the college's educational goals, especially in that the class seeks to broaden students' perspectives about the these important areas of the world.
And the various written assignments support the college's goal of graduating students who possess the requisite skills to communicate their ideas well and who therefore graduate with the strong foundation required for continued intellectual growth.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Name some of the major authors from the areas of the world featured in the class and discuss their works in a knowledgeable manner.
2. Continue to hone critical and written skills.
3. Continue reading with pleasure and/or research with confidence in Nonwestern Literature, from Chinua Achebe to Zee Edgil.
4. Discuss the important role literature plays in the areas of the world the course investigates.
5. Talk clearly and critically about the issues--from post-colonial concerns to women's rights--addressed in literature examined this term.
Instruction Method/Mode of Delivery:
This section of English 335, Non-Western Literature, combines traditional face-to-face instruction with on-line materials, utilizing the Blackboard template. In addition to lecture and discussion, the class will include various media from many of the areas considered throughout the term, including music and film. Students will use the Blackboard template for many aspects of the class, from e-mail communication with the instructor to turning in assignments. The class also features a class blog on which I will post weekly audio/visual announcements and other information.
Assessment Methods and Student Requirements:
Grades:
Your grade will be based upon the following (subject-to-change) percentages:
Attendance: 10%
Quizzes: 15%Short Essays: 40%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Examination: 15%
Grading Policy:
A 90-100
B+ 85-89
B 80-84
C+ 75-79
C 70-74
D+ 65-69
D 60-64
F 59 and below
Attendance:
Come to class prepared to take part in discussions, for they will help you generate ideas for your essays on the exams and for short writing assignments. Failing to attend class on a regular basis will hinder your progress.
If you must miss class, contact me or a member of the class to get the assignment; all assignments will be posted on the class web page and on Blackboard
Attendance counts for 10% of the final grade, and each of you begins the semester with a grade of A, 100%, for attendance. Not attending class lowers this grade at the rate of 5% for the first two absences and 10% for each subsequent non-attendance.
Nonwestern Literature is a discussion class, so come to class prepared to talk about the matter at hand and to enjoy interacting with your fellow readers.
Quizzes:
Over the course of the term, you will take two short quizzes every two weeks based on the reading materials, the class notes, class lecture, and discussion, including a video review.
If you read the assigned materials, take part in class discussions, ask questions, and read your class notes, you should find these tests relatively easy. And I will post each week an audio/visual discussion centered on those areas the quiz covers.
These tests seek to ensure that you keep up with the course.
These quizzes are open book and cover all the assigned readings and accompanying notes. We might not cover all the assigned readings in class; however, you are responsible for reading all the assigned material and reading the class notes. So ask questions in class.
As with attendance, this particular aspect of the course gives you an excellent opportunity to improve your grade-- just keep up with your reading and take both the reading and course discussions seriously. Unless indicated otherwise, the quizzes will become available on Thursday morning until midnight Sunday. You must complete each quiz by the conclusion of the week in which the quiz takes place.
Short Written Assignments:
Two short essays-- 2.5-3, double spaced pages each--will be assigned over the course of the semester, in addition to the examinations.
You will be given a variety of choices from which to choose.
You will have an opportunity to revise these short essays to elevate your grade.
You will have approximately a week to complete these written assignments. And you will receive instructions concerning how to improve the essay.
See the section on "revisions" for further information.
Exams:
The on-line examinations come in two parts and require that you write essay on an assigned topic and that you take also respond to selected prompts in paragraphs of at least six sentences.
You will have choices on writing topics for the essay component of the examination.
Again, examinations will generally ask you to write an essay--the equivalent of 2 + double-spaced pages--on a novel (40%) and to respond to a variety of prompts (60%) over the assigned readings.
You will have a number of days in which to complete the Midterm Examination. The final examination will also come in a similar format; however, you will write the essay part of the examination in class.
In general, the short-response paragraph asks you to discuss the significance of a character, action, or quotation for the narrative from which it is derived and in relation to issues raised in other and related class material.
Revisions:
As I often tell my composition writers, the verb "to essay" means "to attempt," "to undertake," "to try," and even "to struggle"!
From this perspective, an essay represents an ongoing project, a process of revision--so that you can use the process as a sign of progress and elevate your grade for an assignment; a revised grade replaces the original grade.
Bear in mind, however, that a revision does not automatically result in a higher grade.
An effective rewrite requires more than simply correcting spelling errors and clearing up awkward sentence constructions. Often, in fact, a good revision requires that you make a fresh start. You will find that I provide many comments and suggestions to help you improve your short and longer essays.
As a general rule, you will have a week to complete revisions; turn in your original efforts with your revised work.
Plagiarism:
Do your own work. Read the statement on Academic Dishonesty later in this document.
Plagiarism comes in a number of forms--from using another person's work to cutting and pasting without source acknowledgment from the internet.
Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and will if repeated result in failure of the class.
If you have questions about plagiarism, see me.
Due Dates and Late Material:
Complete all work on assigned dates.
If you must turn in something after the due date, let me know in advance.
Grades for unexcused late work will be lowered at the rate of one-half a grade each day.
You will turn in all your out-of-class assignments via Blackboard, so you must use Microsoft Word.
Incomplete Coursework Policy:
To designate a student’s work in a course as incomplete at the end of a term, the instructor records the incomplete grade (I). Students may receive this grade only when serious illness, hardship, death in the immediate family, or military service during the semester in which they are registered prevents them from completing course requirements. In addition, to receive an incomplete, a student must have completed substantially all of the course’s major requirements.
Unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise, students must initiate requests for an incomplete by filling out an Incomplete Grade Completion Contract, which requires the signature of the student, instructor, and Dean. The Incomplete Grade Completion contract cites the reason(s) for the incomplete and details the specific obligations the student must meet to change the incomplete to a letter grade. The date by which the student agrees to complete required work must appear in the contract. The Dean, the instructor, and the student receive signed copies of the Incomplete Grade Completion Contract.
Even if the student does not attend Peru State College, all incomplete course work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester. Unless the appropriate Dean approves an extension and if the student does not fulfill contract obligations in the allotted time, the incomplete grade automatically becomes an F.
Academic Integrity Policy
The College expects all students to conduct themselves in a manner that supports an honest assessment of student learning outcomes and the assignment of grades that appropriately reflect student performance. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and comply with instructions regarding the completion of assignments, exams, and other academic activities. At a minimum, students should assume that at each assessment opportunity they are expected to do their own original academic work and/or clearly acknowledge in an appropriate fashion the intellectual work of others, when such contributions are allowed. Students helping others to circumvent honest assessments of learning outcomes, or who fail to report instances of academic dishonesty, are also subject to the sanctions defined in this policy.
Instances of academic dishonesty may be discovered in a variety of ways. Faculty members who assign written work ordinarily check citations for accuracy, run data base and online checks, and/or may simply recognize familiar passages that are not cited. They may observe students in the act of cheating or may become aware of instances of cheating from the statements of others. All persons who observe or otherwise know about instances of cheating are expected to report such instances to the proper instructor or Dean.
In order to promote academic integrity, the College subscribes to an electronic service to review papers for the appropriate citations and originality. Key elements of submitted papers are stored electronically in a limited access database and thus become a permanent part of the material to which future submissions are compared. Submission of an application and continued enrollment signifies your permission for this use of your written work.
NSCS Board of Trustees Policy 4220 states that each College “. . . will establish a distance learning assessment policy that will include, at a minimum, a substantial culminating experience that is proctored.” Peru State College’s policy is that each course that is offered entirely online will feature a proctored final exam that substantially measures the extent the course’s stated learning objectives are achieved. Online course syllabi will clearly state that, regardless of grades earned previously, the proctored final exam must be passed in order to receive credit for the course. Courses which feature graded site-based activities (e.g., teaching demonstrations) and/or video-taped presentations that occur near the end of the term, and that are designed to substantially assess the achievement of learning objectives, can be considered in compliance with this policy. Project- based capstone and graduate courses utilizing real-time discussions held by web- cam, phone or in person with the faculty member as part of the assessment process can also be considered in compliance with this policy.
Should an occurrence of academic misconduct occur, the faculty member may assign a failing grade for the assignment or a failing grade for the course. Each incident of academic misconduct should be reported to the Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA may suspend students for two semesters found to be responsible for multiple instances of academic dishonesty. The reason for the suspension will be noted on the student’s transcript.
A faculty member need present only basic evidence of academic dishonesty. There is no requirement for proof of intent. Students are responsible for understanding these tenets of academic honesty and integrity. Students may appeal penalties for academic dishonesty using the process established for grades appeals.
Title IX Compliance Notice
Peru State College is an equal opportunity institution. PSC does not discriminate against any student, employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or age in employment and education opportunities, including but not limited to admission decisions. The College has designated an individual to coordinate the College’s nondiscrimination efforts to comply with regulations implementing Title VI, VII, IX, and Section 504. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies and practices may be directed to Eulanda Cade, Director of Human Resources, Title VI, VII, IX Compliance Coordinator, Peru State College, PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421-0010, (402) 872-2230.
Students requesting reasonable accommodation and tutoring services should contact the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS).
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
General Schedule for Nonwestern Literature
Our course is divided into Sixteen Weeks/Units and four sections.
Each week you will find a specific reading assignment, discussion thread/web log descriptions, and course notes to help you with the material.
You will fulfill weekly assignments included in the section of the template devoted to class work and detailed each week in the course information section of the template. Read the CLASS INTRODUCTION document for a more complete description of how the semester will progress.
The class will pursue the following general schedule:
Weeks 1-5: Africa and the Middle East.
You will read the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and numerous short stories and poems from various countries, including Israel, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.
In addition to poetry and prose, this section includes the play The Swamp Dwellers by Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka.
At the conclusion of this section, you write an essay.
You will also take quizzes, write a short essay, and take part in class discussions.
Weeks 6-8: Asia.
This section will introduce you to literature from Vietnam, India, Japan, and China.
You will read Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyhama, a novel about Japanese soldiers after WWII.
You will take quizzes, a midterm examination, and take part in class discussions.
Weeks 9- 12: Latin America and the Caribbean.
You will read the novel Beka Lamb and various poems and short stories from the Caribbean Islands and Latin American countries.
At the conclusion of this section, you will take the second examination.
You will take weekly quizzes, write another essay, and take part in weekly discussions.
Weeks 13- 16: North America, Europe, Australia and Oceania.
You will read Whale Rider . In addition, the reading material will concentrate on literature in these sections written by or that focuses on the lives of the indigenous peoples.
The assigned stories will include, for instance, Trinidad-born Samuel Selvon's story "Come Back to Grenada" included in the section devoted to Europe. In addition, you will read Leslie Marmon Silko's "Coyote Holds a Full House in His Hand."
We will also look at literature from Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and Samoa.
At the conclusion of this section you will take the final examination.
You will also take weekly quizzes and take part in class discussions.
Contact me quickly if you have any questions.
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