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E 360 Global Literature Written in English E 360 l Global Literature Written in English Instructor: Doherty, B Unique #: 35565 Semester: Spring 2013 Cross-lists: Areas: Flags: Writing, Global Cultures Restrictions: Computer Instruction: Prerequisites: Nine semester hours of coursework in English or rhetoric and writing. Course Description: From Oceania to Jamaica, Canada to South Africa, India to Nigeria, and numerous other lands, English is the language for literary artists. We will engage with the various and diverse products of the range of voices, discovering that literature is a vital tool for understanding cultures, histories, the vastness of human experience and the human imagination. A central question that will guide some of our literary travels is: what happens to the English language as it travels to and interacts with cultures far from London and Oxbridge? Students will develop an expanded notion of the written world. Texts: Dohra Ahmad. Rotten English: A Literary Anthology. J. M. Coetzee. Waiting for the Barbarians. Helon Habila. Oil on Water. James Kelman. How Late it Was, How Late. Samuel Selvon. The Lonely Londoners. Course Reader will feature about 7 or 8 short works. (Needed after March 25) Grading Policy, Assignments: Oral Presentation on Historical, Geographical, or Cultural Aspect of one of our Literary Destinations 15% Quizzes on Readings for the Day. Best 5 of 7 taken for Grade. 10% Discussion of Texts in Class. 10% Two short papers (2-3 pages each) 25% Prospectus for Final Paper (2-3 pages, with bibliography) 10% Final paper for class. (8-10 pages) 30% Plus and minus grades will be used in the class. A = 93-100; A- = 90-92.9; B + = 88- 89.9; B = 83=87.9; B- = 80-82.9; C+ = 78-79.9; C = 73-77.9; C- = 70-72.9; D = 65-69.9. Below 65 = F. Attendance is required. Up to 4 absences excused, for whatever reason. After 4 absences, the discussion grade will be penalized. After 6 absences, the cumulative grade will be penalized. Please be aware of University policies and services for students with disabilities: http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/ Please be aware of the University Standard for Academic Integrity: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php Schedule of Readings: January 14: Introductions, Syllabus and Assignments Review. 16: Rotten English. Introduction. Linton Kwesi Johnson, “Inglan is a Bitch.” 18: Louise Bennett, “Colonization in Reverse” and “Bans O’Killing. Kamau Brathwaite, “Wings of a Dove” and “The Development of Nation Language in Anglophone Caribbean Poetry.” 23: Sam Selvon. The Lonely Londoners. 25: Sam Selvon. The Lonely Londoners. 28: Sam Selvon. The Lonely Londoners. Sam Selvon, from The Housing Lark. 30: Earl Lovelace, “Joebell and America.” February 1: Roddy Doyle, from The Snapper. 4: Discuss Ken Loach’s Riff Raff. 6: Poems of Robert Burns, Tom Leonard and Mary McCabe. 8: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. To page 53, “Patience was a virtue, right enough.” 11: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. “The Health and Welfare Office opened from 9:30-11 o’clock on Saturday mornings.” 13: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. To 175. “The guy was pacing.” 15: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. To 233. “So let’s just talk about it then, nay point beating around the bush.” 18: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. To 318. “This time could be the last time.” 20: James Kelman, How Late it Was, How Late. To conclusion. 22: Irvine Welsh, “A Soft Touch” and “Granny’s Old Junk.” 25: Discuss Trainspotting. 27: Chinua Achebe. From “The African Writer and the English Language.” Gabriel Okara. “African Speech . English Words.” March 1: Uzodinma Iweala, from Beasts of No Nation and Ken Saro-Wiwa, from Sozaboy:A Novel in Rotten English. 4: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 6: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 8: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 18: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 20: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 22: Helon Habila, Oil on Water. 25: Two by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie. 27: Bessie Head. “The Collector of Treasures.” 29: Nadine Gordimer, “Keeping Fit” and one other story. April 1: Discuss A Dry White Season. 3: J. M. Coetzee, Waiting for the Barbarians. 5: J. M. Coetzee, Waiting for the Barbarians. 8: J. M. Coetzee, Waiting for the Barbarians. 10: 12: James Baldwin, “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me What Is.” Zora Neale Hurston, “Spunk.” 15: from G.V. Desani, All About H. Hatterr. 17: Two from Salman Rushdie. 19: Rohinton Mistry, “The Ghost of Firozsha Baag.” 22: Discuss film Once Were Warriors and the excerpt from Alan Duff’s novel of the same name. 24: Peer evaluation of final project prospecti 26: Patricia Grace, “Letters from Whetu.” 29: John Kasaipwalova, “Betel Nut is Bad Magic for Airplanes.” May 1: The case of K’nan. 3: Final Day of class. Questions about final paper? Policies: Documented Disability Statement: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone), or visit http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd. Instructors: Doherty, B .
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