Fall 1998

Texts:

Western Literature in a World Context, St. Martin's Press

Italo Calvino, The Baron in the Trees

Isabel Allende, Eva Luna

Buchi Emecheta, Double Yoke

Course Description:

This course attempts to give students an experience of world literature from the 18th century to the present, from the Enlightenment through to Modernism and Postmodernism. We will attempt to move beyond the traditional focus on western European literature to include literature of the southern hemisphere as well, and to examine texts from a postcolonial point of view. Our main focus (with some exceptions) will be on works in translation, works not originally written in English. Because of the breadth of our subject matter, it will be impossible to attempt a full survey of the great writing of this period; rather, we will focus on certain representative texts, with the goal of giving students not only a sense of literature itself, but of the historical and social issues out of which that literature emerged, and which it reflects. In addition, it is hoped that students will come to value this literature for its own sake, and also for its power as social critique and human expression.

The course will be conducted with a combination of lecture and class discussion, and active, attentive participation in discussion is strongly encouraged.

Course Requirements:

A midterm, a final exam, several unannounced in-class writings from time to time, a 6 page paper on an assigned topic, and an individual report (both oral and written) on the criticism and interpretation of a particular poem, essay, or short story, to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Constant attendance is required, and active participation is strongly encouraged. Both will be considered in the grading process. Course grade will be based on performance in all the above aspects of work for the course.