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

 

Term:  Spring (05-2)                                                        

Course Number: ENG/HIS 234                                                                    

Instructor: Goodman  

Office:  515

Office Phone: 219-473-4272

E-mail:  bgoodman@ccsj.edu

 

Office Hours:     Monday                   3:30-7 PM

                                Tuesday   by appointment

                                Wednesday 1-5 PM

                                Thursday 3:30-7 PM

                               

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 and 104

 

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.

 

 

Texts:                    Global Perspectives Webpage

                                Gilgamesh

                                Sundiata

                                Ramayana

                                Things Fall Apart (Achebe)

                                Xeroxes

 

Learning Strategies: Class and Group Discussions, Portfolios, Lecturing

 

Assessment:

 

Portfolio                                 20 points

Oral presentation                                15 points

Quizzes                  (4)           20 points

Bullet Outlines     (4)           20 points

Final test                               20 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 their in-class paper.

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                                                     

 

 

Jan. 11                                   Introduction to course, etc.               

(week 1)                                                Introduction to Mesopotamia                           

 

Jan. 18                                   Discuss Mesopotamia

(week 2)                                                                Due: Gilgamesh

Introduction to Ancient Egypt

 

Jan. 25                                   Discuss Ancient Egypt

(week 3)                                                Introduce Middle East: Spread of Islam and 20th c. issues

                Due: Osiris Legend (Xerox)

                                                                        

 

Feb. 1                                    Movie: Spread of Islam

(week 4)                                                                Due: Portfolio (artifact 1)   

 

Feb. 8                                    Discuss Islam and its influence (excerpts from Koran)

(week 5)                                                Introduce “Medieval” Africa               (The Great Kingdoms)     

                                                                Due: Bullet Outlines of 1) Mesopotamia and 2) Ancient Egypt

                                                               

                                               

Feb. 15                                  Discuss “Medieval” Africa (Great Kingdoms)

(week 6)                                                                Due: Sundiata

 

Feb. 22                                  Movie: Sundiata

(week 7)                       Continue discussion of “Medieval” Africa    

                                                Introduce Imperialism/Colonialism

                                                                Due: Due: Ibn Battuta (Xerox/Webpage)

 

Mar. 1                                    Discuss Imperialism and Colonialism

(week 8)                                                                Due: Oloudah Equiano (Xerox/Webpage)

                                                                         Portfolio (artifact 2)

                                                                               

Mar. 8                                    Discuss Imperialism and Colonialism

(week 9)                                                                Due: Achebe, Things Fall Apart

                                                                        N’gugi Wa Thiongo article (Xerox)

 

Mar 15                                   Due: Orals--Current Issues (Middle East and Africa)

(week 10)                              Introduction: Ancient Asian societies

 

Mar. 22                                  Discuss Chinese history

(week 11)                                              Due: Confucius’s Analects (class book)

                                                                         Bullet Outline (China)

 

Mar. 29                                  Discuss Indian history

(week 12)                                              Due: Ramayana

                                                                         Bullet outline (India)

 

April 5                                     Imperialism and Colonialism in Asia

(week 13)                                              Due: Portfolio (artifact 3)

 

April 12                                  Due: Orals--Current Issues (Asia)

(week 14)                              Review for exam                 

 

April 19                                  Exam    

(week 15)                                              Due: Final submission of revised portfolio

                                                               

 

                                                                                                                               

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.

 

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

 

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. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal 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.

 

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).

 

School Closing Information:

 

                Internet:                                               http://www.ccsj.edu

               

http://www.EmergencyClosings.com

Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph

Phone: 219.473.7770

 

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