SYLLABUS FOR GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVES: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF
AFRICA AND ASIA
Term: Summer, 2003
Course Number: ENG 234X
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Pennanen
Office
Phone: (219) 473-4285
E-mail: vpennanenccsj@hotmail.com
Home
Phone: (219) 937-0341
Office
Hours: By appointment
Instructor
Background: B.A.,
Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology and Ancient Greek (Bryn Mawr College);
M.A. and Ph.D., Classical Art and Archaeology (The University of Michigan);
teaching experience in classics, art history, art appreciation, liberal
studies, and world literature.
Course Time: Thursday, 6:30-10
P.M.
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.
Learning
Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will:
·
Write a clear, well-organized academic essay that
is reflective, analytic, evaluative
·
Make confident, well organized, and sufficiently
documented oral presentations
·
Listen attentively to the opinions and ideas of
teachers, authors, and leaders with an open but critical mind
·
Analyze these ideas with careful and coherent
observations, judgments, and communications
·
Make careful analyses of academic ideas, papers, themes,
positions, art forms, and the elements that contribute to their eminence
·
Synthesize materials, ideas and themes
·
Organize materials and ideas in a logical manner
Textbooks
and Materials:
Jerry
Bentley and Herbert Ziegler, Traditions
and Encounters (2nd edition, 2003);
The Norton Anthology: World Masterpieces (expanded edition in
one volume, 1999);
Sundiata:
An Epic of Old Mali (by D.T. Niane, translated by G.D. Pickett);
Class
handouts and notes (VERY important!).
Learning
Strategies: Lectures, general class discussions, individual
research, writing and in-class presentations.
Assessment:
Tests
(3) 30% of grade
Take-home Essay 20%
of grade
Class Participation 20%
of grade
Final Paper with Accompany- 30% of grade
ing Presentation
Class
Policy for Assignments: If a student misses a test, he/she must
contact the instructor within 48 hours to arrange for a makeup. The 48-hour rule also applies to a missed
paper/presentation deadline. Makeups
and extensions will be granted ONLY in case of illness or family emergency.
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: Regular attendance is crucial to your
success in this class. If you miss more
than nine (9) hours of class, you will automatically receive a failing grade.
Class
Policy on Electronic Devices: Tape recording of class
sessions is permitted, although not encouraged. If you feel that you absolutely must carry a cell phone, beeper
or paging device, please speak with the instructor before class.
Classroom
Decorum: Please
be considerate and respectful towards your fellow students and towards the
instructor. Any student who
deliberately disrupts a class will be asked to leave and will be marked absent
for the day.
Course
Outline:
Class
Dates: Topics/Assignments:
Session # 1 (May 15) Welcome
and introduction. Overview of
ancient Egypt
and Mesopotamia.
HOMEWORK: Read Bentley & Ziegler, chapters 2-3,
and
The Epic of Gilgamesh.
Session # 2 (May 22) Discussion
of Gilgamesh. Introduction to India,
including
Hinduism and Buddhism.
HOMEWORK: Read Bentley & Ziegler, chapters
4
and 9; also selections from the Bhagavad-Gita
and Kalidasa’s Sakuntala and the Ring of
Recollection.
Session # 3 (May 29) Discussion
of ancient through classical Indian
literature. Review for Test # 1.
HOMEWORK: Study for Test # 1; and read
Bentley
& Ziegler chapter 7.
Session # 4 (June 5) TEST
# 1. History and culture of the Hebrew
people
(NOTE: Selections from the Old
Testament
will
be read in class). The Persian empires.
HOMEWORK: Read Bentley & Ziegler chapters
5,
8, 12 and 15.
Session # 5 (June 12) Overview
of ancient through medieval China (NOTE:
Some
early Chinese poetry selections, excerpts from
Confucius’
Analects, and later Chinese
poems/songs
by
Li Po will be introduced in class).
HOMEWORK: Read Bentley & Ziegler, chapter 14,
and selections from the Koran.
Session # 6 (June 19) Viewing
and discussion of video on “Islam, Empire of
Faith.” Review for Test # 2.
HOMEWORK: Study for Test # 2; read Bentley &
Ziegler
chapter 19 and selections from African
mythology
(xeroxed handout).
Session # 7 (June 26) TEST
# 2. Early sub-Saharan Africa, the
great
African
kingdoms, and highlights of African
culture.
HOMEWORK: Read Sundiata
, and skim Bentley
&
Ziegler chapters 16, 18 and 28.
Session # 8 (July 3) Discussion
of Sundiata. Overview of the great Islamic
empires--Ottoman,
Safavid, and Mughal (NOTE:
One
or two brief Persian literary texts may be introduced). Review for Test # 3.
HOMEWORK: Study for Test # 3; read Bentley &
Ziegler
chapters 26, 27, and 33 (omit section on
Russian
Empire).
Session # 9 (July 10) TEST
# 3. Introduction to Japan (NOTE: One
or two
brief
literary texts will be introduced).
Overview of
early
modern Asia and Africa.
HOMEWORK: Read Bentley & Ziegler chapter 34
and
Achebe’s Things Fall Apart ; also
prepare
take-home
essay assignment.
Session # 10 (July 17) TAKE-HOME
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE.
Discussion
of Things Fall Apart . Viewing and
discussion
of video on “African Art.”
HOMEWORK: Skim Bentley & Ziegler chapters 35
through
39.
Session # 11 (July 24) Overview
of 20th-century Africa and Asia.
Session # 12 (July 31) FINAL
PAPERS DUE; FINAL PRESENTATIONS.
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)
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).