Office of Academic Affairs
Course Information
Course Title:
World Literature
Course Number and Section: ENG 2403 section 26
Semester: Spring
2014
Course Meeting Days/Times: TTH 7:30-8:45
p.m.
Course Meeting Location: T
TH CAS 358
Instructor Name: Kimberley Kiefer
Office Location: CAS
301E
Office Hours: By
appointment before or after class.
Phone: 908-737-0391
(email is best contact)
Email: Gotprofkiefer@gmail.com
Course Description: Readings in
world literatures from ancient times to the present. Emphasis on cultural
diversity, selected themes, and literary genres. Development of aesthetic and
ethical values and of critical reading, thinking, and writing.
Pre-requisite/program:
ENG 1030 (or
equivalent) and completion of any freshman placement requirements in reading
Course Objectives:
Read and understand major works of
literature from different cultures and from ancient through modern times.
Understand the nature and function of
various literary genres such as epic, drama, lyric poetry, and the novel.
Learn and utilize the basic concepts
and terminology of literary analysis.
Develop critical thinking through the
study and analysis of literature and related cultural events.
Develop oral communication skills
through the discussion of literature.
Write critically about literature.
Acquire global and personal literary
perspectives and tastes.
Participate in both local and global
literary communities.
Acquire an enthusiasm for literature.
Use literature as the means for
clarifying and validating values.
Instructional Methods:
This course is taught primarily as a critical reading and
response workshop. Other possible
instructional methods include, but are not limited to, class discussion, small
group work, lecture, electronic discussion, and conferencing.
Textbook & Materials
Textbook Title: Antigone , Sophocles
ISBN: 9781580493888
Textbook Title: The Odyssey, Homer
ISBN: 9780374525743
Textbook Title: Macbeth, William Shakespeare
ISBN: 9780743477109
Textbook
Title: The
Stranger, Albert Camus
ISBN:
9780679720201
Textbook Title: The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Leo Tolstoy
ISBN: 978045153276
Textbook Title: The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien
ISBN 9780618706419
Assessment
Reading and Writing Work
Listed below are brief
descriptions of writing assignments. More thoroughly detailed handouts and
information will be provided:
Analytical
Paper – In a five to seven page
essay, craft a literary argument about theme, or analyze the use of effect of
metaphor, or character or event; whatever you choose, the goal is to showcase a
new understanding for readers by focusing on one aspect of the of the assigned
literature. An assignment sheet with a rubric will be provided.
Reading
quizzes— Frequently during the
semester, you will have the opportunity to earn points on reading quizzes.
These quizzes are designed to reward you for keeping up with the reading.
Reflective
Reading Responses (RRR)-- You
will write eight reflective response on your blog—approximately two to three
paragraphs in length, on for each assignment, but The Odyssey will have two.
This assignment is intended to extend your thinking and insights into your
experiences with the literature. These will be due on most Thursdays. Please
bring two typed, printed copies to class. One of these will be used to facilitate small
group discussion and one will be submitted to me to be assessed. Due dates for
each RRR: #1 2/3--Antigone, #2 2/5 --Odyssey Books I-X, #3 2/19--Odyssey Books
XI-XXIV, #4 2/27—Macbeth, #5 3/26—The Stranger, #6 4/2—Ivan Ilyich, #7 4/9—The
Things They Carried, #8 4/23—Poetry of Li Po.
Group
presentations—A
10-15 minute analysis of a thematic aspect of the reading you have chosen.
These will be completed in class on 4/28 and 4/30. The groups will be
self-selected by reading. You may use
any technology you wish to present your learning to the class.
Grades
The
percentage breakdowns found below include the primary components of the course
upon which your grade is calculated:
• Analytical Paper – 20%
• Reading Quizzes, Reflective Reading
Responses, Group Presentation—20%
• Class Participation, including
attendance—20% This part of your grade will reflect the quantity and
quality of your regular contributions to the in-class discussion of the works
assigned in the course as well as the success with which you facilitate the
class discussion on the occasions when you are meant to do so.
• Midterm Exam –20%
• Final
Exam–20%
If you
have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. If you would like to
know your approximate grade-to-date I’ll be happy to accommodate with some
advanced notice.
Policies
Format
for Submitted Work
The
vast majority of written work for this course must be submitted electronically
and therefore must be computer generated in 12-point, Times Roman font, and
left-aligned. Pages must be numbered (bottom right) and have ONE-INCH margins
all around. All documents submitted must have a proper header on the top left
corner of the first page only. Any work submitted not meeting these criteria
may be refused and returned without comment or credit. Please bring 2 printed
copies of each Reflective Reading Response (as completed on your blog) to class
to share with your small group on the day it is due. Unless
otherwise directed, papers must be emailed to me at gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by
noon of the day it is due. You will attach the assignment to an email as a Word
document file. I cannot open Microsoft Works files.
Late Work
Writing
assignments are due whether or not you are present. Assignments submitted as
attached files are due by the date and time listed on the schedule, on the
calendar, in the class blog, and on the assignment sheet. I will not read
papers turned in 24 hours or more late unless we meet face to face. I am
willing to extend deadlines for students with extenuating circumstances if I am
approached in advance. Extensions will not be granted for assignments turned in
late because of unexcused absences.
Engaged Participation
Since
class discussion and small group work will comprise a majority of in-class
work, your engaged participation in these activities is extremely important
(hence the attendance policy). Aside from your participation and presence, it
is assumed that you will come prepared to class with your books, other
necessary materials, completed essays and that your cell phones will be TURNED
OFF. Repeated use of cell phones during class time will count against your
class participation grade. In
addition to your regular attendance, engaged participation includes actively
showing each member of this class respect, patience and tolerance. Each of you
needs to be equally prepared to commit yourselves as best as you are able.
Class Announcements and
Updates
I will
be posting class updates and changes to the schedule on our class blog at http://kiefersworldlit2015.blogspot.com/. I encourage you to sign up for
updates. In addition, I will use Remind
to communicate any urgent changes to our schedule or in the unlikely event of a
class cancellation. I will distribute
the code for the Remind text service during the first night of class.
My Attendance Policy
The
consistent participation and presence of each of you is vital to the
continuity, and thus the growth and learning of the entire class. As such, I
expect all of you to be here, to be here promptly, and with all necessary work and
materials. Tardiness and absences and are only recognized as “excused” with
appropriate documentation. If you know you will be absent, let me know in
advance. Vacation travel is NOT a valid excuse for absence. If you are late
and/or miss class repeatedly, your grade will suffer. Three lates equals one
absence. More than one absence can affect your final grade. More than two can
result in failure of the course. You should obtain cell numbers from peers to
contact them for missed assignments.
Kean
University Attendance Policy
Attendance
is expected in all courses. Attendance will be a component of the grade of any
course if so stated in the syllabus. Students are responsible for informing the
instructor in advance or in a timely manner of the reasons for their absence.
Instructors in consultation with their department chairs are expected to
respect university practices and policies regarding what counts as an excused
absence. Typically excused absences include illness, bereavement, or religious
observances. Serious tardiness may be dealt with at the discretion of the
instructor.
Topics and Assignments (Major Topics/themes and
readings and assignments that are due each week.)
This calendar
is a work in progress. It gives an accurate overview of the quantity
and general sequence of assignments - but - make sure you have the right
assignment for any given day by checking the course blog.
WEEK
ONE: First Days
Thurs
1/22: Distribution and brief review of syllabus and course material
Explanation
of Reading Reflective Responses
World
Literature Pre Survey
WEEK
TWO
Tues
1/27 What is literature?
Introduction
to Antigone. Email contact info.
Remind 101.
HW: 1)
Read Antigone
Thurs
1/29 Discuss ANTIGONE
The
structure of a Greek drama
HW:
Reflective Reading Response (RRR) for Antigone
WEEK
THREE
Tues
2/3 ANTIGONE. The drama of loyalty and family. RRR on Antigone due today. Please bring two typed, printed copies to
class!
HW: 1)
Read THE ODYSSEY Books I-VIII 2) Focused Reflective Reading Response. What
makes a hero?
Thurs
2/5: Discuss THE ODYSSEY through Book VIII
What
is a hero? The Odyssey –an Epic poem, journey and love story?
HW: 1) RRR through THE ODYSSEY Book. X due 2/5.
WEEK
FOUR
Tues
2/10 RRR Discussed for THE ODYSSEY
HW: 1)
Read THE ODYSSEY Books IX-XVI
Discuss
THE ODYSSEY through Book XVI
Thurs
2/12 Discuss the development of character archetypes in THE ODYSSEY
HW: 1)
Read THE ODYSSEY Books XVII-XXIV
WEEK
FIVE
Tues
2/17 Discuss THE ODYSSEY Books XVII-XXIV
HW:
Complete reading of The Odyssey, Complete RRR for THE ODYSSEY Books XI-XXIV
Thurs
2/19: Complete discussion of THE ODYSSEY. RRR due today.
RRR
Books XI_XXIV discussed. Introduce Macbeth.
HW: 1)
Read Macbeth through Act III Scene ii
WEEK
SIX
Tues
2/24: Discuss MACBETH through Act III Scene ii
Shakespeare
and politics
HW: 1)
Reflective Reading Response on Macbeth due
2/26
Thurs
2/26 Leitmotif,
soliloquy and paradox in MACBETH. Discuss RRR.
HW: 1)
Complete reading Macbeth
WEEK
SEVEN:
Tues
3/3: Complete discussion of MACBETH
HW: Prepare for Midterm
**Thurs
3/5 MIDTERM EXAM
HW: 1)
Read The Stranger
WEEK
EIGHT
Tues
3/10: Introduce Existentialism and The Stranger
Thurs.
3/12 THE STRANGER The Prisoner, the family and happiness.
Introduce
the Analytical Paper.
WEEK
NINE: Spring Recess 3/15-3/22
WEEK
TEN
Tues
3/24: Complete discussion of THE STRANGER
HW: 1)
RRR of The Stranger due 3/26
Thurs
3/26 Discuss Reflective Reading Responses of THE STRANGER
HW: 1)
Read The Death of Ivan Ilyich
WEEK
ELEVEN
Tues 3/31:
Discuss THE DEATH OF IVAN ILIYICH
HW:
HW: 1) Reflective Reading Response on Ivan Ilyich due 4/2
2)
Work on Analytical Paper
Thurs
4/2 Discuss THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYICH. Introduce Final Group Presentations. Discuss
RRR.
HW: 1)
Read The Things They Carried through
page 123. 2) Work on Analytical paper
WEEK
TWELVE
Tue
4/7: THE THINGS THEY CARRIED.
HW: 1)
Complete reading THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
2) RRR
for Things due 4/10.
Thurs
4/9 Complete discussion of THE THINGS THEY CARRIED. RRR Due today. Discuss RRR.
HW: 1)
Work on Analytical Paper
WEEK
THIRTEEN
Tues
4/14: Guest speaker: The Things They Carried.
HW: 1)
Read Chinese Poetry Lu Chi pages 23-35.
Li Po pages 73-93.
WEEK
FOURTEEN
Tues
4/21: Discuss Li Po’s poetry. Characteristics of Chinese Poetry
HW: 1)
Chinese Poetry Tu Fu pages 97-115. 2) Reflective Reading Response on Li Po due
4/23.
Thurs
4/23 Classical Chinese Poetry. Family and Confucianism. RRR due on Li Po.
HW: 1)
Read Lu Ch’ing-Chao pages 162-171.
WEEK
FIFTEEN
Tues
4/28: Group presentations
Thurs
4/30 Group presentations
HW:
FINAL preparation/review
WEEK
SIXTEEN
Tues
5/5 Final Review
Thurs
5/7 Final Review
FINALS WEEK
**Tues
5/12 Final Exam.
Thurs
5/14 Last class.
SEMESTER
ENDS Monday, May 18, 2015
--Schedule
subject to change as necessary.
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