eng203

English 203: Literature of the Non-Western World

Sections 2 & 3

Professor: Martin M. Jacobsen, Ph.D.                                       Office: CC 413B
Email: MJacobsen@mail.wtamu.edu                                         Office Phone: 651-2460
Homepage:                                                                                 Office Hours: T-Th-F 10-12
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/fah/eng/wc/marty3.htm                 and by appointment

Prerequisites: English 101 and 102 or equivalent, self-discipline

Course Goals: This course seeks to familiarize students with non-Western literary texts. By embracing these texts, many of which are philosophical and provide guiding principles for the cultures they represent, you will become more familiar not only with the writings considered central to certain non-Western cultures but also with the ideological and philosophical bases of the cultures themselves.

Course Objectives:

Learning about selected Non-Western literatures and cultures
Considering new philosophical and cultural ideas
Identifying and examining various literary genres and critical approaches taken toward them
Expanding your intellectual abilities as a result of the above

Course Method: The methods of this course include readings, lectures, class discussions, group work, impromptu writing, quizzes, exams, and frequent homework assignments. Of course, the most effective method on your part will be to attend class, on time, everyday, and to exhibit an understanding of the course content.

Course Projects: Three comprehensive examinations.

Textbook: Mack, Maynard, ed. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition in One Volume. New York: Norton, 1997.

Course Policies: Certain simple rules provide a basis for equal treatment and evaluation of all students. These rules are listed below.

Attend all classes on time. This is something you can always get right. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, I need to know about it, too. If an emergent situation necessitates your absence, inform me as soon as you can. I will permit four (4) absences. You will fail the course if you miss five (5) or more classes.
Hand in work on time. This is also easy to do correctly. Everything contributes to your final grade. Consider every assignment an important one (and consider any questions regarding missing anything important, should you miss class, answered). Moreover, contrary to popular myth, absence does not extend due dates or relieve you from responsibility. Thus, missing class as a method of excusing yourself from course policies will only cause an additional problem.
Pay attention. Everything has the potential of being included on an exam or quiz. Review your notes--don't just take them down and leave them closed in your notebook. The key factor involved with paying attention, of course, is self-discipline. Anyone engaging in activities that are more suitable outside the classroom will be encouraged to relocate. Pagers, cell phones, and other distractions should be turned off before class begins.
Do your own work. Lying, cheating, and plagiarizing always earns a zero (0) and may lead to disiplinary action by the University.
Advise me of any special needs you may have immediately. WTAMU seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Disability Support Services and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations.
Other policies may be instituted as needed.

Remaining in this class after receiving this syllabus indicates your agreement with the course requirements as stated herein.

Daily Syllabus:

Jan 19 Course Policies                               28 Cao Xueqin, The Story of the Stone, 1763-91
24 Egyptian: The Leiden Hymns 42-45 March 1 Cao Xueqin, The Story of the Stone
26 Love Songs 45-48                                  3 Lu Xun, "Diary of a Madman," 2723-35
31 Chinese: Book of Songs, 534-36:          6 Indian: The Ramayana of Valmiki, 576-612
      "Plop fall the plums," 535;                     8 The Ramayana of Valmiki
      "She threw a quince," 536;                   13-18 SPRING BREAK
      "I beg of you," 537;                               20 The Bhagavad-Gita, 612-24
      "Tossed is that cypress boat," 540;       22 The Bhagavad-Gita
      "We plucked the bracken," 540;            27 Review
      "They clear away," 541;                        29 Exam II
      "Big rat, big rat," 544;                     April 3 Klidsa, Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection,
Feb 2 Confucius--Background                             739-761
   7 Confucius, Analects, 545-55                   5 Mahadeviyakka, Govindadasa, Mirabai; 1411-29
   9 Confucius                                              10 Rabindranath Tagore, "Punishment," 2618-27
14 Tao Te Ching--Web                              12 Arabic: Koran, 868-888
16 Review                                                  17 Koran
21 Exam I                                                   19 The Thousand and One Nights, 923-48
23 T'ang Poetry 827-829; Li Po 829-32     24 The Thousand and One Nights
     (through "Bring in the Wine"); Tu Fu,    26 Naguib Mahfouz, "Zaabalawi," 2881-93
     834-35; "My Thatched Roof is           May 1 Review
     Ruined by the Autumn Wind," 837-38   FINAL EXAM: Section 2: 05/08/00; 10:30 a.m.
                                                                                              Section 3: 05/05/00; 10:30 a.m.

Copyright © 2000 Martin M. Jacobsen, Ph.D. as to this syllabus and all lectures; materials may not be reproduced without Dr. Jacobsen's written consent. Students are prohibited from selling (or being paid for taking) notes during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course.