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ENGLISH 231 GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
             
I.
Course Prefix
Course No.
Course Name
Credit
Lecture
Lab
 
EGL
230
Non-Western Literature
3
3
0
             
II. Prerequisite:
   
  EGL 101 or placement into 101
   
III. Course (Catalog) Description:
   
 

Course introduces students to literature in English by writers from non-Western cultures such as Asian, South Asian, African, Caribbean, Middle-Eastern or Latin American. Content includes social, historical, and cultural contexts of literary works; relationship of these writers to literary traditions; terminology and methods of literary analysis and evaluation.
   
IV. Learning Objectives:
   
  The student will be able to:
 
  1. Explain the distinctive characteristics of non-Western literatures covered in class
  2. Discuss social, intellectual and historical influences specific to each author and region covered
  3. Demonstrate critical skills and knowledge of literary conventions used to evaluate works of fiction, poetry and/or drama
V. Academic Integrity:
   
  Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
   
VI. Sequence of Topics:
 

Readings may be organized thematically, chronologically or according to culture. A thematic organization would group texts according to themes, such as gender, death, war, identity. A chronological organization would emphasize historical development of particular non-Western literatures, for example, from the colonial to the postcolonial period. A culture specific organization would group writers of particular non-Western cultures into units, for example, Asian, South Asian, African.

Sample outline by culture:

Week #1:
Introduction to non-Western literature as part of the humanities, to the course objectives and to principles of literary analysis. Discussion of distinctive characteristics of non-Western literature and culture.

Weeks #2 through #6:
Asian literature: Writers from Japan and China

Weeks #7 through #11:
South Asian literature: writers from India and Pakistan

Weeks #12 through #16:
African literature: writers from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa

Sample chronological outline:

Week #1:
Introduction to non-Western literature as part of the humanities, to the course objectives and principles of literary analysis. Discussion of distinctive characteristics of non-Western literature and culture.

Week #2 through #9:
Literature from the Colonial Era
I. Indian writers
II. Caribbean writers
III. African writers

Weeks #10 through #16
Postcolonial Literature
I. Indian writers
II. Caribbean writers
III. African writers
   
VII. Methods of Instruction:
  The course will be conducted through lectures, discussion, readings, and the supplementary use of other appropriate media such as films, records, etc.
   
VIII. Course Practices Required:
   
  Reading, writing, oral presentations, and testing. A minimum of three critical essays of at least 750 words each.
   
IX. Instructional Materials:
   
  Novels, short stories, poetry and/or drama by writers from non-Western cultures. Films, audiovisual materials and/or guest lectures may be used when appropriate.

Possible anthologies include:

Global Voices: Contemporary Literature from the Non-Western World (Prentice Hall), Eds. Arthur W. Biddle and Gloria Bien.

Colonial and Postcolonial Fiction (Garland), Robert L. Ross, ed.

Postcolonial Plays: An Anthology (Routledge), ed. Helen Gilbert
   
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
   
 

In addition to exams and written/oral assignments, students will be evaluated on their active and prepared participation in class discussions and other projects.

Possible breakdown:
Midterm 25%
Final 25%
Formal essays 25%
Quizzes, other assignments, attendance 25%
   
XI. Other Course Information:
   
 

Attendance policy

For whatever information/procedures the instructor holds the student accountable.

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
   
 
June 2006