Reading the Other, Narrating the Self
The Prospect of Global/World Literature
C LIT 493/NEAR E 496
TTH 3:30-4:50
5 Credits I&S
Selim S. Kuru
Tentative Syllabus
The course presents a ground to investigate the function of literature in current contexts through an analysis of production, transmission and reception of literary cultural artifacts produced throughout the human history. Coursework includes short selected readings, videos and podcasts on literature that are presented in the form of structured conversations, and takes up creative writing as a literary genre for students to produce a narrative centering around their experience at the University of Washington. While being involved in the design, production and discussion of literary works, students consider the place of literature in human history in order to understand its function today.
The course reading selections are literary texts that were produced from ancient history until today in various languages in English translation that will be discussed parallel to Alexander Beecroft's An Ecology of World Literature that presents a historical approach to human literary production. Each week approaches the selected works through one keyword that is central to study of literature today, such as Narrative, Desire, Politics. The course involves an integrative approach to literature and literary production by including student's own narratives, stories.
LEARNING GOALS
- analyzing literary language and composition
- discovering the function of literary in everyday
- understanding formal aspects of academic reading and writing, such as footnotes and bibliography
- revising and polishing an essay
- composing curriculum vitae and/or resumes; writing a statement of purpose for a job application
- honing oral presentation skills
REQUIRED READING
- Alexander Beecroft, An Ecology of World Literature:From Antiquity to the Present Day
- Selected texts and media
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Students will compile a portfolio including a curriculum vitae and/or resume, a statement of purpose, and a well-organized short paper (one that they may have submitted to a previous class and then revised during this seminar).
- In addition, they will complete two short writing assignments (one close reading of a text and one summary of an academic text). They will keep a blog post over Canvas where they share their experience of the course with short entries, planning for their short writing assignments, commenting on course reading material and their portfolio preparation.
- Students will make one individual presentation in class and participate in one group presentation.
GRADING
- Portfolio: 50%
- Academic Writing 1: 10%
- Academic Writing 2: 10%
- Presentation 1: 10%
- Presentation 2: 10%
- Class participation: 10%