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Survey of
World Literature I, ENGL 208 (Departmental Syllabus)
Course purpose and
objectives:
Survey of World Literature I, ENGL 208, is designed to familiarize
students with great works of world literature—both Western and
Eastern traditions—representing Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance
periods or non-Western chronological equivalents. Students will be
exposed to diverse literary traditions through discussion and
through critical thinking and writing about significant literary
works. In addition to essay tests and quizzes, students will be
required to write at least one formal, critical essay (1,000-word
computer drafted minimum); however, instructors are encouraged to
assign significant amounts of writing beyond the required minimum in
order to continue to develop students’ critical thinking, reading,
and writing skills.
Essential skills
and/or outcomes to be acquired through the course include:
1) an ability to
render close textual analysis;
2) an ability to
synthesize information from multiple texts;
3) an ability to
render clear, cogent ideas;
4) an ability to
structure well-developed essays, with thesis, textual support and
analysis;
5) an ability to
correctly employ standard written English usage;
6) an
understanding of and respect for ethnic/cultural diversity;
7) an aesthetic
and critical judgment of literature;
8) a concept of
chronology associated with literary periods;
9) an
understanding of the inter-relationship of the arts, history, and
philosophy through the study of literature.
Required text and
materials:
A Writer's
Reference, Diana Hacker, St Martins Press;
The Norton
Anthology: World Masterpieces,
Expanded Edition, Vol. I. (Paperback supplements are encouraged.)
The University
Writing Center:
.To
receive individual instruction and feedback on writing in progress,
students should be encouraged to visit
The
Academic Support
Center in Knutti 106.
Visits are by appointment or through ShepOwl at
http://www.shepherd.edu/scwcweb/tutorform.htm.
Course content:
While instructors will supplement the list below with representative
writers and works, the following will serve as a core of study. When
possible complete works will be used rather than fragments.
Supplemental works will include as many non-western selections and
works by women as possible.
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Western
Literature: Choose at least two from each group |
Non-Western
Literature: Choose at least six |
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I.
Classical Literature:
Selections from Old and
New
Testaments
Homer
Sappho
Aeschylus, Sophocles
or
Euripides
Plato |
Gilgamesh or other
Egyptian poetry
Ramayana or other
Mahabharata or other
Chinese
poetry or other |
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II. Medieval Literature:
Beowulf
or Roland
Dante
(required)
Chaucer
or Sir Gawain |
Selections from Koran
Ferdowski or other
The
Tale of Genji or other
The
Thousand and One Nights or other |
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III. Renaissance Literature:
Cervantes
Shakespeare
Ca1deron |
Son-Jara
or other
Codex
or Mexicanos
Popul
Vuh or other |
Revision Approved 04-02-08 |
