Cole Sample Syllabus

Sample Syllabus

English 3318/ summer 2008
Literature and Culture of the Third World
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am – 12:15 pm CLAS 102

Instructor: Dr. Cole, Ernest Dominic
Office: CLAS 148
Phone: 860-486-1536
Office Hours: Thursdays 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Email: ernest.cole@uconn.edu

Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of cultural perspectives in the literatures of Sub-Saharan Anglophone Africa, the Caribbean and India. It would focus on the intersections between literature and culture; examine the social realities and cultural values in these societies at specific historical and cultural periods of development. It would seek to explain the state of contemporary Third World societies consequent on imperialism, westernization and globalization. It would explore selected works of authors like Camara Laye, Mariama Ba, Jamaican Kincaid, Ama Ata Aidoo, and Salman Rushdie.

Texts
Laye, Camara: The Dark Child
Ba, Mariama: So Long a Letter
Aidoo, Ama A: Dilemma of a Ghost
Kincaid, Jamaica: Annie John
Rushdie, Salman: Midnight’s Children

Course Objectives
In this course, we will:
1. examine literatures from different parts of the world in the contexts from which they emerge;
2. address issues of race, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, and religion that are raised in these works;
3. identify and discuss aspects of human condition that are underscored by these works under consideration;
4. develop the ability to identify aesthetic features of the literatures under consideration;
5. have an appreciation of literary production in their contexts;
6. develop and encourage independent thinking;
7. foster active, and collaborative learning among students
8. broaden our desire and ability to take pleasure in our encounter with literatures from diverse backgrounds.

Course Expectations
In this course, you are expected to:
• be punctual, prepared, and productive;
• constructively participate to class discussions;
• complete the assignments on time;
• attend classes regularly;
• comply with UConn academic and course’s policies;
• reflect on the reading assignments, and bring to class a few interesting issues or questions to discuss.

Each one of us is personally responsible for the quality of the time we spend together

Criteria for Evaluation
For this course, the following are required:
1. Individual presentation/ class discussion – 20 marks
2. A mid-semester take home assignment (5-7 pages) – 30 marks
3. Attendance and participation – 10 marks
4. A final in-class exam – 40 marks

Note: Attendance
The success of this class depends on students actively contributing to the study of the texts and to the discussion of the topics we’ll explore. Coming to class prepared and participating to class discussions—raising questions, offering answers, thoughts, or suggestions—together with regular attendance are important for your success in the course. You are expected to attend class each time we are scheduled to meet, not only because you will likely miss out on important discussion and new information, but also because your peers will suffer if you are unable to take part in group activities or workshops.

In addition:
1. Five absences constitute an automatic failure for this class.
2. If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to get notes from other students. In-class work missed due to unexcused absence may not be made up.
3. Arriving late to class is extremely disruptive for the whole class.
4. This class would primarily utilize the lecture-based style of presentation/ delivery of instructional materials. However, it would adopt the student-centered approach, encourage interactive sessions, facilitate question and answer sessions, and promote reader response.
5. Short quizzes lasting 15 – 20 minutes may be given as necessary.
6. Late Work
All work must be completed and submitted on the date it is due. Late work can be submitted by the next class period for half credit, and no work will be accepted more than one class period after the scheduled due date.
7. Make-up Exams
You must contact me before the exam time to be eligible for make-up exams. You must provide documentation verifying your reason for absence.
8. Diversity Statement
The UConn population reflects differing backgrounds and experiences including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, geographic region, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. It is our goal to foster a community in which every human being is treated with dignity, respect, and justice. The UConn academic experience will provide the opportunity to gain knowledge and experiences necessary to thrive in a diverse, global environment.
9. Academic Integrity
Every UConn student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. The Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/ intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the university, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.

Course Grade
A: 94 and above
A-: 90 – 93
B+: 87 – 89
B: 84 – 86
B-: 80 – 83
C+: 77 – 79
C: 74 – 76
C-: 70 – 73
D: 60 -69
F: 59 and below

Course Schedule

Week 1
06/03
Introduction to Course
Overview of Literature of the Third World
Themes and style
Key Concepts: Imperialism, Westernization, Nationalism, Negritude, Conflict of cultures, self/ other, Fragmentation/ Hybridity, Post-Independence/ Post-Modernism, Gender etc.
Lecture 1: The Dark Child
06/05 Lecture 2: The Dark Child – key concepts/ passages, themes and style
**Assign texts for individual presentations.

Week 2
06/10 Lecture 3: So Long a Letter
06/12 Lecture 4: So Long a letter
Individual presentation/ Class discussion

Week 3
06/17 Lecture 5: Dilemma of a Ghost
06/19 Lecture 6: Dilemma of a Ghost
Individual presentation/ Class discussion
**Assign Mid-semester take home projects. Papers due 06/26 in class.

Week 4
06/ 24 Lecture 7: Annie John
06/ 26 Lecture 8: Annie John
Individual presentation/ Class discussion

Week 5
07/01 Lecture 9: Midnight’s Children
07/03 lecture 10: Midnight’s Children
Individual presentation/ Class discussion

Week 6
07/08 Revision/ Overview of Course
07/10 Final In-class exam