Guiding Questions for The Stranger

1. How does the weather, and in particular, the sun, affect Meursault’s mood and behavior? Why do you suppose it has any effect at all? Can Meursault truly believe that the scorching sun is a valid excuse for murdering the Arab?

2. The Stranger is divided into two parts – what is the effect of such a structure? Do you see any structure created – outside of the two parts – that is marked by the three deaths of the text?

3. Camus was a self-proclaimed "absurdist." Based on The Stranger and Meursault’s beliefs in The Stranger, how would you define "the absurd"? What role do concepts like "detachment," "alienation," "acceptance," and "society" play? How is absurdity reflected in (a) the events in Meursault’s life, (b) the relationships Meursault finds himself in, and (c) the attitudes with which Meursault faces, and subsequently rejects, the world?

4. How does Meursault change as an individual from the beginning of the book to the very end? How do we see these changes? Are Meursault’s thoughts and feelings about death, for example, noticeably different by the end of the text? What about religion? Women?

5. So, we’ve got all these relationships going on here: Meursault and Maman, Meursault and Marie, Salamano and his dog, Maman and Perez, Meursault and Raymond, and Raymond and his mistress. Which would you say is the most loving? Deep? Loyal? Casual? Sexual? Complex? Rooted in friendship and companionship? Indifferent? Uninteresting? Shallow? Sad? Other adjective?

6. In what sense does Meursault triumph at the end of The Stranger? (This was what Camus intended, but you’re welcome to argue that, in fact, Meursault doesn’t triumph at all.) Does Meursault overcome society’s judgment, and thereby, its shackles? Or is it more important that he rebelled against conformity? And what’s up with him wishing for a large crowd of hating spectators at his execution?

Quiz #1 for The Stranger

Please check your understanding using this quiz:

Quiz-- The Stranger

1.       Who dies at the beginning of the novel?

2.       Who is Celeste?

3.       Who is Marie Cardona?

4.       Does Meursault want to marry his girlfriend? Explain.

5.       What happens to Meursault at the end of the novel?

Important due date changes and updates

Dear World Lit students:

I have shared the PowerPoint introduction to The Stranger with you this evening via your emails.

Here is a brief recap of tonight's announcements:

1) There will be a quiz on Thursday, 3/26 on the first half of The Stranger.

2) The Stranger RRR is due Thursday, 4/2, via hard copy in class.

2) The thesis and one paragraph scope/focus of your analysis paper is due by noon on Thursday, 4/2 to me at gotprofkiefer@gmail.com.

3) There will be no in person class meeting on Tuesday, 4/7. Students are expected to use the time for individual work on their analysis essays. (Writing Workshop). 

4) The analysis paper is due via shared Google Doc with gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday, 4/23.

There will be due dates between these as well. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Prof. K.

Analysis Paper due 4/24/15

World Literature 2403/26

Professor Kiefer

Spring 2015

Analytic Paper:

For this course you will be required to write one 5-7 page paper outside of class, of a minimum 1500 words in length. Minimum paper lengths are so extremely short that anyone desiring a high grade would be advised to write a somewhat longer one. Any paper shorter than the minimum assigned will receive an F as an incomplete assignment. Except for meeting the very low minimum number of pages, don't concentrate on length, but try to make your papers as detailed, well-organized, and interesting as possible. All papers must be shared with me via Google Docs since I will be grading, commenting and returning them to you electronically. You MUST send an email to be indicating the paper is complete with an accompanying link provided. Please click on “allow to edit.” These papers are not necessarily research papers, and it is possible to receive an A on a paper without doing research for them, although good papers, incorporating good library work, will normally receive higher grades.

You should choose a topic you are particularly interested in, not try to guess what I want you to write. When I can learn something new from a paper, I am pleased. By Tuesday, April 1, you will send me a proposal briefly describing the thesis of your paper. This should include the scope and focus of your paper. I t should be a minimum of one paragraph. If necessary I will give you advice on how to proceed. I am happy to answer questions about proposed topics. Papers are to be submitted to gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 24, Papers may always be handed in before the due date if you wish.

Prompt: Create a 5-7 page (1500-1800 words) term paper comparing and/or contrasting a common thematic element(s) in two of the pieces of literature we have read thus far: Antigone, The Odyssey, Macbeth, The Stranger and The Death of Ivan Ilyich. This essay requires a close reading and analysis of the texts. You may create your own topic or consider one of the following: loyalty, fidelity, vision vs. blindness, the use of disguise, pride and stubbornness, what it means to be a hero, etc. You are relatively free to choose your topic, as long as it analyzes thematic elements common in both pieces you choose. This essay should not be a summary of the material, but a critical analysis of the material.  Be original, but be sure that your claims are supported by evidence from the texts.

Assessment:

The following elements are taken into consideration when I grade your papers:

1) You must convince me that you have closely read and understood the texts.

2) You must have sent me your thesis to review by noon on Thursday April 2.

3) You must respond to the prompt as given.

4) You must follow the Kean University Composition guidelines (attached on rubric)

5) I expect you to support your arguments with references to the text, often including quotations appropriately introduced and analyzed (but quote only to make points about the material quoted, not simply for its own sake).

6) Your paper must be sent electronically in the format described above to Gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 24.

Late Papers:

If you think you have a valid excuse (medical, etc.) for not getting a paper in on time, let me know in advance via e-mail at gotprofkiefer@gmail.com. Papers handed in late with no excuse will not receive a passing grade. To pass the course you must hand in this paper.

Rubric for Analysis Paper

World Literature 2403/26-- Spring 2015
Professor Kiefer
Rubric Analytic Paper

Prompt: Create a five to seven page (1500-1800 words) term paper comparing and/or contrasting a common theme in a piece of literature we have read thus far. This essay requires a close reading and analysis of the texts. This essay should not be a summary of the material, but a critical analysis of the material. Be original, but be sure that your claims are supported by evidence from the texts.

Assessment:  ______points out of 30.  Final letter grade: _______
On a scale of 1-5
__________1) The writing indicates a close reading and understanding of the texts.
__________2) An effective thesis statement was submitted by Thursday, April 2.
__________3) The writing responds to the prompt as given.
__________4) The writing followed the Kean University Composition Guidelines (attached)
__________5) The writing is thematically-based and is supported by arguments with references to the text,  including quotations appropriately introduced and analyzed.

__________6) The writing was sent electronically in the format described above to Gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 24. Or an extension was requested with a valid reason, well in advance of the deadline.

Composition skills to be corrected are underlined and bolded below

Kean University English Composition Grading Policies
Writing assignments are evaluated according to
a) clarity of purpose;
b) appropriateness to audience;
c) clarity of focus;
d) quality of development;
e) effectiveness of organization;
f) degree of fluency;
g) stylistic skill demonstrated through word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax); and
h) correctness of mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation).

A Excellent fulfillment of the assignments requirements; original substantive content; effective organization and logical development; correct mechanics; clear effective diction and syntax; fluent use of language; correct documentation (when applicable).
B  Above average fulfillment of the assignments requirements; thorough and interesting content; good organization; correct mechanics; effective diction and syntax; fluent use of language; correct documentation (when applicable)
C Fulfills basic requirements of the assignment; some solid content; adequate organization; no major mechanical errors; no major documentation errors.
D Does not fulfill basic requirements of the assignment; vague content; ineffective organization; major mechanical errors; significant errors in documentation.
F Does not fulfill basic requirements of the assignment; little content; minimal form; major, serious repeated mechanical errors; violations of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Midterm Exam now scheduled for Thursday, 3/12

Midterm Exam is now scheduled for Thursday, 3/12.

Our discussion of Macbeth and a brief review for the midterm will be on Tuesday, 3/10.

Please stay safe and warm on your snow day!

Midterm Review

World Literature 2403/26 Midterm Review--Spring 2015

The following are GENERAL guides for the specific and detailed questions on the exam. You must address the questions using the details with which they are written, NOT in the simple language or direction of this review!

The Odyssey

1)      How are women portrayed?

2)      Discuss Penelope and her loyalty.

3)      Discuss the values evident though Odysseus’ choices and actions.

Macbeth

1)      Connect leitmotif to the author’s purpose.

2)      Support or defend a statement about the character of Macbeth

3)      Discuss how a foil is used to reveal the nature of a main character.

Antigone

1)      Discuss Creon’s opinions on loyalty.

2)      Relate and discuss loyalty and personal responsibility in the play.

3)      Describe and discuss a tragic hero/heroine in the play.

Important Changes to Syllabus Due Date& Midterm Exam

Please make a note of the following updated due dates:

3/5--RRR on Macbeth due. Discussion of Macbeth. Brief discussion of focus of midterm exam questions
3/10--Midterm Exam tonight! (originally scheduled for 3/5/15)
3/12--Introduction to Existentialism and The Stranger