Course Description
A selection of the most influential literary works produced in several literatures of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Special emphasis will be placed on literary and other artistic productions of the last two centuries and their relevance to the contemporary global scene. The ability of prominent literary works to challenge the social status quo and propose new models for ethical and social transformation that could be implemented in our contemporary world.
Athena Title
World Lit North and South
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- to introduce students to major works of world literature, focusing on the relationship between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with special emphasis on literary and other artistic productions of the last two centuries and their relevance to the contemporary global scene; - to help students situate those works within larger historical and cultural contexts; - to provide students with an understanding of the conventions of literary composition and reception that inform their creation, such as conventions of genre, metrics, style; - to improve students' communication skills through oral presentations in class and expository writing assignments, including in-class and out-of-class essays. Students' performances will be evaluated through a variety of means, including assessment of oral presentations, objective tests, essays, and the final examination.
Topical Outline
The typical course consists of a series of readings in world literature, focusing on the relationship between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with special emphasis on literary and other artistic productions of the last two centuries and their relevance to the contemporary global scene. The topics considered are generated by the specific work under analysis. The works treated will vary with the instructor. Readings with include works by such authors as Chinua Achebe,Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Franz Fanon, Machado de Assis, JL Borges, Juan Rulfo, James Baldwin, Jamaica Kincaid, and Derek Walcott.
General Education Core
CORE IV: Humanities and the Arts