Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF AFRICA AND ASIA

 

Term:  Fall, 2002 (021) (Sept. 3 – Dec. 7)                                                           

Course Number: ENG/HIS 234                                                                      

Instructor: Goodman  

Office:  515

Office Phone:

E-mail:                bgoodman@ccsj.edu

 

Office Hours:                Monday              9:30-10:30

                                                                  2:00-7:00

                                Tuesday                TBA/appointments

                                Wednesday         1:00-4:00

                                Thursday           2:00-5:00

 

Instructor Background: Currently director of English. Also direct college drama productions and sponsor trips to theatrical events (e.g. annual trip to Canada for Shakespeare Festival)

 

Course Time: Wednesday 9:00-12:00

 

Course Description: This course traces the development and interconnections of major civilizations of

Africa and Asia.  It explores ancient and medieval empires, the influence of Islam, the effects of European colonization and the evolution of nations through modern times.  This course utilizes primary texts and literary readings which reflect the cultural and historical activities of their times.

 

Prerequisites:  ENG 103

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

SKILLS:

 

1. Write a clear, well-organized academic essay that is reflective, analytic, evaluative, and which

 contains a clear and focused thesis

addresses the assigned topic in a logical progression that supports the thesis

includes substantive material to support the thesis and main ideas

possesses relevant introduction and conclusion

maintains clear focus

uses appropriate paragraphing and transitions

uses appropriate diction and sentence structure

demonstrates an awareness of the conventions of grammar, punctuation and spelling

 

2. Make confident, well organized, and sufficiently documented oral presentations that

design a logical, coherent organizational structure.

use smooth transitions from point to point..

prepare purposeful introductions and conclusions.

deliver the speech confidently and conversationally.

use physical behavior to enhance the presentation.

 

3. Listen attentively to the opinions and ideas of teachers, authors, and leaders with an

            open but critical mind

4. Analyze these ideas with careful and coherent observations, judgments, and

             communications

5. Make careful analyses of academic ideas, papers, themes, positions, art forms, and

            the elements that contribute to their eminence

6. Synthesize  materials, ideas and themes

7. Organize materials and ideas in a logical manner

 

Discipline Specific:

 

1. Interpret works of literature and relate them to one’s experiences

2. Analyze major writers’ representations of human experience

3. Interpret works of major writers within a historical and social context

4. Demonstrate knowledge of major historical movements, developments, and figures

5. Comprehend how social behavior is viewed from historical perspectives.

 

 

Textbooks:                Traditions and Explorations 2nd edition (Bentlley and Ziegler)

                                Norton Anthology of World Masterpeices (Expanded edition/one volume)

                                Sundiata (Niane)

 

Learning Strategies: Class and Group Discussions, Portfolios, Lecturing

 

Assessment:

 

Portfolio                                 30 points

Oral presentation                                20 points

In-class papers                (2)                20 points

Quizzes                  (3)                15 points

Test                                        10 points

Attendance/C.P.                     5 points    

TOTAL                              100 points

 

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 

Important information on grading:

A. PORTFOLIOS:  Criteria and due dates will handed out on a separate sheet.

B.       ATTENDANCE/CLASS PARTICIPATION SCALE

0-3 hours missed  possible 5 points

3-6 hours missed  possible 4 points

6-9 hours missed  possible 3 points

                After 9 hours, students may not pass the course

C.      READING QUIZZES and IN-CLASS PAPERS: Four quizzes will be given but only three will count toward the final grade.  Students may drop their lowest reading quiz grade.  Students will be allowed to rewrite one of their in-class papers

D.      TEST: the test will be an end-of-semester test.  A review will be done ahead of time.     

                E.  Specific criteria for oral presentation will be distributed at the appropriate times in the semester

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 92-100                A-: 90-91                  B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77                 C-: 70-71                 D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 

In accordance with English program policy, any student missing more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F.  These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences.  Please be aware these hours include birthdays, sport events, illness, work, etc.  If a problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

 

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, etc.  It is disruptive to have them going off during class.   If there is an important reason why you must have your phone or beeper turned on (e.g. illness at home, work situation), please inform me before class begins.

 

Course Outline:

 

Class Dates                                        Topics                                                  Assignments

     (due the following week:)               

 

UNIT I: Ancient Civilizations (3000 B.C.– 500 A.D.)

 

Sept. 4                                   Introduction to course, etc.                                         T&E: 2 & 3

                                                Introduce to Egypt/Mesopotamia                         Norton: Gilgamesh

                                                                                                                                Handouts

 

Sept. 11                                 Discuss Egypt/Mesopotamia                         T&E: 4 & 5

                                                Discuss relevant literature                                 Norton Book of Songs, Confucius,

                                                Introduce China/India                                                        Ramayana excerpt

                                                                                                                                Handouts

 

Sept. 18                                 Discuss China/India                                           T&E: 7

                                                Discuss relevant literature                                 Norton: Shanamah (Ferdowsi)

                                                Introduce Persian Empire and Aksum           

 

Sept. 25:                                Discuss Persian Empire and Aksum                            T&E: 14

                                                Discuss relevant literature                                                 Norton: 1001 Nights

                                                Introduce Spread of Islam

 

UNIT II: The Spread of Islam and Islamic Realms

 

Oct. 2                                     Discuss spread of Islam and relevant                 T&E:  19

                                                                Literature                                              Book: Sundiata

                                                Introduce Great kingdoms of Africa                      Handouts             

                                                                and Asia (European “Medieval”

times 700-1600 AD)

 

UNIT III: Great Kingdoms of Africa and Asia (500-1700 AD)

 

Oct. 9                                     Discuss kingdoms of Ghana, Mali,                        T&E: 26

                                                                Songhay                                                                Handouts

                                                Watch Keita: Story of a Griot (movie)

                                                Introduce Africa 1500-1700s

 

Oct. 16                                   Discuss Africa 1500-1700s                                     T&E: 9, 16, 28

                                                Discuss relevant readings                                 Norton: Sakuntala and the Ring                                                    Introduce India                                                                    of Recollection (Kalidasa)

                                               

Oct. 23                                   Discuss India/relevant literature                                T&E: 12, 15, 18, 27

Introduce China’s dynasties through 1700     Norton: Tang Poetry (Li Po and Tu Fu)

Story of Stone (Yuan Chen)

 

Oct. 23                                   Discuss China and relevant literature                T&E: 15*, 27*

                                                Introduce Japan’s Golden Age                          Norton: Tales of Genji (Murasaki)

                                                                                                                                Handouts

 

Oct. 30                                   Discuss Japan’s Golden Age                         T&E: 22, 23, 26*, 27*, 28*

                                                Introduce Global Exploration and                   Norton: Things Fall Apart (Achebe)

                                                                Western Imperialism

 

UNIT IV: Global exploration and Western Imperialism

 

 

Nov. 6                                     Discuss Global exploration/western                            T&E: 33 & 35

                                                                Imperialism (Asia & Middle East)                Norton: Selected short stories

                                                                                                                                Handouts

 

Nov. 13                                  Discuss imperialism and colonialism                T&E: 38-40

                                                                (Africa)                                                   Norton: Selected short stories

                                                                                                                                Handouts

UNIT V: The Fight for Freedom and Post Colonialism

 

Nov. 20                                  Discuss Asia/Middle East                                  Norton: Selected short stories

                                                Discuss African Fights for Freedom                    Handouts

                                                                (e.g. Kenya)

 

Nov. 27                                  Finish discussions

                                                Oral presentations

                                               

Dec. 4                                    Finish orals (if necessary)

                                                Movie (if time allows)

                                                Review

 

Dec. 11                                  Test

 

 

 

Class Participation:

 

This class requires group work and class participation.   Please see section on Attendance Policy and the class participation grading scale.

 

Please note: Modifications and changes to this syllabus may be made to meet the needs of this specific course.

 

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27) )  Please be aware that your paper may be submitted for examination for plagarism to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism-check Internet company with which the college has contracted.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).