Prof. W. C. Nielsen   Introduction to World Literature

Blue Marbles, NASA
"The Blue Marble" from NASA

Fall 2005
ENLT 206-03 (11212)
MR 11:30-12:45PM  

ROOM CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mondays in PA 209; Thursdays in PA 110

Introduction to World Literature"
<http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/introwlit.html>
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Dickson Hall 324
nielsenw@mail.montclair.edu
Office Hours:

Required Texts available at University Bookstore:
Course description: What is the “coming of age” experience after 1945, which marked the end of several global atrocities (the Atom Bomb, the Holocaust) and the beginning of new revolutions for individuals, communities, and nations? How does fiction from East and West represent these changes? In this introduction to World Literature course, we will read books in pairs (from a Western and non-Western perspective) on the aftermath of World War II; the postcolonial experience and the revolutions of the 1960s; and magical realism. Literature from Africa, Europe, East Asia, and South America--including a few Nobel Prize winners, Kenzaburo Oe, Pablo Neruda, and Gabriel García Márquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude)—will help students appreciate the way literature reflects and shapes global issues.  Satisfies: 1c (other literature); 3: genre (fiction); 4a (multinational); 4c (women writers); GER 1983/2002: F1 (World Literature)

Requirements--Respect, Integrity, Collegiality, and: Please observe the following:
  • Your classmates and instructor benefit from your presence in class and full participation, which therefore counts for a substantial part of your grade.  Please be in class at the start of the hour with work completed. 3 absences are automatically excused, but failure to attend class beyond that number will affect your final grade. 
  •   Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time. Use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.). Late papers will result in grade reductions. Never submit a paper without proofreading it carefully.
  • To teach students to avoid plagiarism, lectures will also include instruction in MLA documentation of all work. This course engages in questions of authorship, including web authorship (online link: web.html). Submitting work and words that are not your own will result in failing this course and disciplinary action by the Dean of Students.
  • Owing to organizational issues, late homework assignments (discussion questions, etc.) cannot be accepted, but you may include these in an optional portfolio at the end of the semester.
  • Accommodations are always arranged for students with disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally.   

    • Tentative Class schedule--Please check website <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/introwlit.html> for updates
    Date
         		Topics
         		Assignments



    1. R 9/8
         		Course/student introduction; Timeline + Geography; What is world literature? Paul Celan, "Death Fugue" ; "Die Todesfuge" ; Musical Fugues Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
    2. M 9/12
         		Review of Course Goals; Kenzaburo Oe; Introduction, “The Crazy Iris” ; Map of Japan Oe and Ibuse 9-35
    3. R 9/15
         		“Human Ashes”; In-class writing: Your interpretations Oda in Oe 63-84; Bring 3 discussion ques. to class (will be collected)
    4. M 9/19
         		Review; “The Colorless Paintings”; "The Empty Can" Sata in Oe 113-25; Hayashi in Oe 127-43
    5. R 9/22 Review of L. 4; Hiroshima Mon Amour; In-class writing: Why world literature? Duras 1-52
    6. M 9/26 Review of L. 5; Hiroshima Mon Amour Duras; 53-112 Bring 3 discussion ques. to class

    		Unit II: Postcolonialism
    7. R 9/29 Scarlet Song

    		Ba 3-44
    8. M 10/3 Review of L. 6 & 7; Ba bio + Ques.; BUBL Link on Senegal Ba 45-100
    9. R 10/6 Review of L. 8; Scarlet Song; In-class writing Ba 103-29; Bring 3 discussion ques. to class
    10. M 10/10 Scarlet Song: Questions Ba 130-71
    11.  R 10/13 Cloud Nine; In-class writing Churchill xx-15
    12.  M 10/17 Review; Cloud Nine Churchill  15-57; bring 3 disc. ques to class
    13.  R 10/20 Review; Cloud Nine; Midterm Review Churchill 58-87
    14.  M 10/24 Midterm--No make-up date!! Be there or be out of luck!!! Study for midterm; Bring books (open-book exam)

    		Unit III: Magical Realism
    15.  R 10/27 Gabriel Garcia Marquez Writing Project: sign-up Marquez 1-40
    16.  M 10/31

         		One Hundred Years of Solitude
    Library Workshop (Room 110 in Sprague Library)
    		 Marquez 41-86
    17.  R 11/3 Review; Party Game; Solitude and each Character; One Hundred Years of Solitude; Meet in groups Marquez 87-111
    18.  M 11/7 WP #1: Marquez bio Marquez 112-53
    19.  R 11/10 Writing Projects; One Hundred Years of Solitude; WP #2: Colombia  Marquez 154-95
    20.  M 11/14 WP #3: Magical Realism Marquez 197-239
    21.  R 11/17 Review; One Hundred Years of Solitude; United Fruit Chronology; Guatemala Documentation Project; Obit. for JAB Marquez 241-87
    22.  M 11/21
    		WP #4: Literary Criticism I
         		Marquez 289-337
    23.  M 11/28 Writing Projects: One Hundred Years of Solitude Marquez 339-81
    24.  R 12/1 WP #5: Literary Criticism II
    		Marquez 383-427
    25.  M 12/5 GGM's Nobel Prize Speech; Peer review Marquez 429-58; bring a draft of Writing Project to class
    26.   R 12/8 World Literature on Film
         		Writing Projects due
    27.  M 12/12 García Márquez, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" (Blackboard/online--bring copy to class)
    28.  R 12/15 Haruki Murakami: "The Dancing Dwarf;" Review for Final Murakami, "The Dancing Dwarf" (Blackboard/Online); Optional/Extra Credit: Discussion Questions as Portfolio
    Finals wk.
         		In-class Final Exam Monday 12/19 1-3 pm in PA 209 (no make-up dates!)
         		Projects and Portfolios returned