Course Description
East Asian novels from their beginning in the 14th century through the 21st century.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional reading and written work.
Athena Title
East Asian Novel
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Through close reading of novels and related literary works, summary and critique of scholarly works, and the development of arguments using specific and detailed evidence, students will be able to engage and analyze opposing viewpoints or arguments in short form assignments and a final paper.
- Based on iterative written and verbal feedback of weekly writing assignments, students will develop and refine their expression of ideas in written form using language with clarity and precision.
- Though regular individual and small group oral presentation of arguments about East Asian novels, students will hone their abilities to support, and effectively express ideas in oral form using language with clarity and precision.
- Through focused reading, writing, and oral presentation of ideas and insights, students will be able to interpret, evaluate, and critique East Asian narratives within their historical and cultural contexts, and to debate the role and impact of these literary productions on understandings of the human condition.
- Integrating summary and analysis of critical sources with their own appraisal of literary readings, students will explore examples of knowledge construction in comparative humanities and develop their own well-substantiated arguments on literary works for submission as a final paper.
Topical Outline
- 1) reading and analysis of one or a group of the major novels, such as Kang Sok-kyong, Kim Chi-won and O Chong-hui, Words of Farewell: Stories by Korean Women, Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country, Xingjian Gao’s Soul Mountain or Cao Xueqin’s The Dream of Red Mansions
- 2) reading and analysis of a traditional East Asian novel alongside related materials from historical, performance, or poetic genres
- 3) reading and analysis of one or a group of East Asian novels alongside later adaptations in drama, poetry, cinema or fan fiction
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
