with George Hartley

2:10-4:00 T-Th, Ellis 103, call#3048

Office: Ellis 311; 593-2812; hartleyg@ohio.edu; http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~hartleyg/355/; Office Hours: T-Th 1:30-2:30

Description:

Imagine the U.S. dealing with the aftermath of dozens of World Trade Centers crumbling down, and you’ll start to get a peek at what much of the world suffers as a fact of existence. This course in World Literature will focus primarily on works dealing with the impact of imperialism and war on daily life. We will read works from Vietnam, India, Iraq, Kenya, and the Caribbean through the lens of critical works such as Aimé Cesaire’s Discourse on Colonialism.

Texts:

  • Al-Radi, Nuha. Baghdad Diaries. (Amazon $9.60)
  • Carpentier, Alejo, The Kingdom of This World. (Amazon $10.40)
  • Ngugi, Wa Thiong'o. A Grain of Wheat.  (Amazon $14.68)
  • Ninh, Bao. The Sorrows of War.  (Amazon $11.20)
  • Roy, Arundhati, God of Small Things. (Amazon $10.17)
  • Cesaire, Aimé. A Tempest.
  • Cesaire, Aimé. Discourse on Colonialism.
  • Online Texts (see schedule webpage)

Exams/Papers & Grade %:

  • Two 8 to10-page papers 85%
  • Daily Reading Notes 15%

Expectations:

  • Come to class daily and on time .
  • Read assignments before class periods.
  • Take extensive notes for participation in class discussions.
  • Hand in reading notes daily (except on days when a paper is due).
  • Participate in group and class discussions
  • Turn off all cell phones, MP3 players, and other electronic devices while in class.
  • Never record (audio, photo, or video) any portion of a class without my approval.
  • Never do work for another class during our class time. ).

Absence Policy:

  • Only documented illness, dire emergencies, or required University activities (with advanced notice to me) may excuse an absence.
  • 1 unexcused absence will not count against you (but you will not be able to turn in an assignment due that day).
  • 2 unexcused absences will lower your total grade by 5%.
  • 3 unexcused absences will lower your total grade by 10%.
  • 4 absences (including excused ones) will automatically earn you a D for the course. In the case of a legitimate extended emergency or illness, you should petition for a medical or emergency withdrawal from the course.
  • 5 absences will automatically earn you an F for the course (with the same stipulations as 4 absences).

Plagiarism Policy:

Each student must read the definition of plagiarism provided at http://www.ohio.edu/judiciaries/acadintegrity_students.cfm and sign an acknowledgement-of-understanding form before any written work will be accepted.