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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 114. Visits are by appointment (via the online schedule found
at www.shepherd.edu/ascweb)
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
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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
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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
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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
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Son-Jara or other
Codex or Mexicanos
Popul Vuh or other
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Revision
Approved 04-02-08
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