SYLLABUS FOR GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVES: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF AFRICA AND
Term: Summer, 2005
(20043)
Course Number: ENG 234X
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Pennanen
Office
Phone: (219) 473-4285
E-mail: finnfriends@att.net
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 –
10:00 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
·
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:
1) The Epic of Gilgamesh: The Babylonian Epic Poem and
Other Texts in Akkadian and Sumerian, translated by Andrew George.
2) The Song of God: Bhagavad-Gita, translated by
Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood.
3) Sundiata: An Epic of
Old Mali, by D.T. Niane, translated by G.D. Pickett.
4) Things Fall Apart: A
Novel,
by Chinua Achebe.
5) Class handouts and notes (VERY important!).
6) Internet resources
(NOTE: Links to these will be provided
on the CCSJ Global Perspectives web page.
Please note that when a literary reading is assigned on the Internet, it
is your responsibility both to read it AND to bring a printout to class, just
as you would bring a textbook.)
7) Additional textbooks
available in Room 305 (multiple copies).
These books will sometimes be used during a class session and may also
be “checked out,” when necessary and with the instructor’s permission,
for one week at a time.
Learning
Strategies: Lectures, class discussions, individual research
and writing projects.
Assessment:
In-Class
Tests (2) 30%
of grade
Homework Essays (2) 30% of grade
Take-Home Test 10%
of grade
Term Paper 20% of
grade
Class Participation 10% of grade
Class
Policy for Assignments: If a student misses an in-class test, he/she
must contact the instructor within 48 hours to arrange for a makeup. The 48-hour rule also applies to a missed
homework deadline. Make-ups and extensions
will be granted ONLY in case of illness or family emergency. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO ACCEPT ANY LATE TERM PAPERS.
Grading
Scale:
A: 93-100 A-: 90-92 B+: 87-89
B: 82-86 B-: 80-82
C+: 77-79
C: 72-76 C-: 70-72 D+: 67-69
D: 62-66 D-: 60-62
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: If you feel that you
absolutely must carry a cell phone, beeper or paging device, please speak with
the instructor before class.
Class
Participation: As noted above, class participation counts
for 10% of your class grade. To receive
an “A” in class participation, you need to:
§
Attend class regularly
§
Arrive promptly and stay the full length of
each session (NOTE: There is a 15-minute break halfway through the evening;
please make sure to be back in the classroom as soon as the 15 minutes are up)
§
Show genuine interest in the material
§
Ask thoughtful questions
§
Contribute intelligently to class
discussions, especially on the closing night of class, when each student will
be invited to share highlights of his / her term paper research
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 entire session.
Course
Outline:
Class
Dates: Topics/Assignments:
|
Session
# 1 (May 12) |
Welcome
and introduction. Overview of ancient
Egypt. Introduction to
Mesopotamia. HOMEWORK: Review ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, using
class notes/ handouts and supplementary Internet materials; also, read
The Epic of Gilgamesh, Standard
Version (pp. 1-99), plus additional Gilgamesh texts on pp. 122-126, 149-161,
and 166-175 of the Andrew George Gilgamesh
volume. |
|
Session
# 2 (May 19) |
Mesopotamia,
continued. Discussion of Gilgamesh texts.
HOMEWORK: Study for In-Class Test # 1. |
|
Session
# 3 (May 26) |
IN-CLASS
TEST # 1. Introduction to India,
including Hinduism and Buddhism.
HOMEWORK: Review ancient India, using class notes/ handouts and
supplementary Internet materials on Buddhism; also, read The Song of God: Bhagavad-Gita and the
Book of Job (either online or from
a book version of the Bible) (be sure to bring both these texts to class next
week). |
|
Session
# 4 (June 2) |
India,
continued; discussion of the Bhagavad-Gita. History and culture of the Hebrew people;
discussion of the Book of Job. HOMEWORK: Prepare Essay # 1; also,
please decide on your term paper topic so that I will know what it is by next
week. |
|
Session
# 5 (June 9) |
ESSAY
# 1 DUE. TERM PAPER TOPIC ALSO
DUE. A brief look at the ancient
Persian empires; the Zoroastrian religion.
Introduction to China.
HOMEWORK: Review tonight’s material, using class notes / handouts. Also , prepare printout of poems by Li Po (available
online; please bring this printout to next week’s class). |
|
Session
# 6 (June 16) |
China, continued; Confucianism; Daoism. A brief look at pre-modern Japan. HOMEWORK: Do Take-Home Test; ALSO, read the
Koran, chapters 1 (Exordium), 4 (On
Women), and 55 (On God’s Mercy), either online or from a book version of the Koran; please be sure to bring the Koran texts to our next class meeting. |
|
Session
# 7 (June 23) |
TAKE-HOME
TEST DUE. Viewing and discussion of video on “Islam, Empire of Faith”; also,
discussion of the Koran. HOMEWORK:
Read handout on African mythology, and read Sundiata. |
|
Session
# 8 (June 30) |
Early sub-Saharan Africa, the great African
kingdoms, and highlights of Golden Age African culture (including
religion). Discussion of Sundiata. HOMEWORK:
Study for In-Class Test # 2. |
|
Session
# 9 (July 7) |
IN-CLASS
TEST # 2. Overview of the great Mongol
and Turkish empires. (NOTE: Some brief
Persian literary texts will be introduced during this session, as will
material on Sufism.) HOMEWORK: Read handouts on early modern Africa and
Africa in the age of Western imperialism; also read Things Fall Apart. |
|
Session
# 10 (July 14) |
Discussion
of Things Fall Apart in its
historical context. Viewing and
discussion of video, “Through African Eyes.”
HOMEWORK: Prepare Essay # 2; also read handouts on early modern
China, Asia in the age of Western imperialism, and highlights of modern Asian
and African history. |
|
Session
# 11 (July 21) |
ESSAY
# 2 DUE. Highlights of modern African
and Asian literature (selections will be read aloud in class, and discussed
in light of their historical background).
HOMEWORK: Prepare term
paper. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EACH
MEMBER OF THE CLASS WILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION
NEXT WEEK! |
|
Session
# 12 (July 28) |
TERM
PAPER DUE. CLOSING DISCUSSION, WITH
REQUIRED PARTICIPATION BY ALL CLASS MEMBERS. |
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).