Enriched Reading: Orhan Pamuk UGS 302 Instructor: Brian Doherty Office: Parlin 326 Hours: M, 9:15-10:45/ Th, 1:30-3. Ph: 471-8798, [email protected] Course Description: No novel is created in a vacuum—every writer takes a network of influences from other writers, their own history, personal life, tastes, the political climate in which they write, etc., and shapes these elements into their final product. This course proposes to examine a single novel through the multiplicity of artistic and cultural elements that have been instrumental in the composition of the novel, and will be instrumental in the reader’s appreciation of this novel. The Nobel prize winner Orhan Pahmuk’s 1998 novel My Name is Red is a work through which a reader gains a greater understanding of a great many cultural treasures of the Persian World and the Ottoman Empire. Among the visual and literary text we will examine in the course are: • Miniaturist painting (mostly as used for manuscript illustrations). • The “workshop” system of this type of painting. • The epic Shahnama, especially the tragic story of Sohrab and Rostum. • The Story of Layla and Majun, by the Persian poet Nizami. • The career of Pahmuk, with his influences from three continents and the censorship rules he must endure. The novel opens up an antique and Islamic world, but is written with modern styles and themes. It is at its foundation a mystery novel, a sophisticated and elaborate who-done-it. Grading and Requirements: Quizzes on the reading (best 4 of 6 taken for grade) 10% Participation in class discussion 10% Short reaction papers on elements of syllabus with Asterix. 10% Journal or folder of weekly comments, observations, reflections 30% Final Paper Prospectus 10% Final Paper (6-8 pages) 30% Required Texts: Orhan Pahmuk. My Name is Red. Nizami. The Story of Layla and Majun. A Course Reader with material on The Shanama, Pahmuk, short stories from Pahmuk and other contemporary Turkish writers, Pahmuk’s Nobel acceptance speech, etc. Attendance. Attendance is required for this class—it is not an online class. Students may miss up to 4 classes with no penalty. For each missed class beyond 4, there will be a 7 point deduction from the student’s cumulative grade. This includes absences for any reason. Plus and minus grades will be used in the class. A = 92-100; A- = 90-91.9; B + = 88-89.9; B = 82=87.9; B- = 80-81.9; C+ = 78-79.9; C = 72-77.9; C- = 70-71.9; D = 65-69.9. Below 65 = F. 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 This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Schedule of Class Meetings/ Readings: January 23: Introductions. Go over syllabus. Goals, intentions of the course, including what we should have gained through the process. 25: *Historical setting. Circa 1581 in Istanbul, during the Ottoman Empire. Four reports on Historical developments. 28: *Remainder of reports on historical developments, including the origins of The Shahnama, and the author Nizami. 30: Backgrounds, big picture story of The Shahnama. February 1: Excerpt from The Shahnama. The story of Sohrab and Rostam. 4: Canvas discussion board. Views of Orhan Pamuk from available You Tube clips. 6: Nizami. The Story of Layla and Majnun. Two prefaces, and chapters I through X. 8: The Story of Layla and Majnun. Chapters XI-XXIX. 11: The Story of Layla and Majnun. To conclusion. 13: *Selected essays on The Story of Layla and Majnun. 15: Views of illustrated manuscripts contemporaneous with My Name is Red. 18: Visit with Dr. Jeannette Okur, who will share with us some traits of the Turkish language. 20: Orhan Pamuk. My Name is Red. Chapters 1 through 6. 22: My Name is Red. Chapters 7-14. 25: My Name is Red. Chapters 15-27. 27: My Name is Red. Chapters 28-34. March 1: My Name is Red. Chapters 35-41. 4: My Name is Red. Chapters 42-52. 6: My Name is Red. Chapters 53-56. 8: My Name is Red. to conclusion. 11: * Questions, observations, review of My Name is Red. 13: * Review of academic essay on My Name is Red. 15: Reviews of My Name is Red in established publications. 25: Readings in Art History. Standards of Islamic Art. 27: Readings in European Art History contemporaneous with Master Osman’s workshop. 29: Calligraphy in world (and Islamic) art. April 1: A Sufi perspective. Naguib Mahfouz’s short story “Zaabalawi.” 3: Pamuk short story “To Look Out the Window.” 5: Excerpt from Pamuk’s novel, Snow. 8: Visit to the Blanton Museum of Art. 10: Excerpt from Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence. 12: Essay from Pamuk’s Istanbul. 15: Why is Pamuk called postmodern? 17: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 19: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 21: Screening of film The Edge of Heaven. 22: Discuss film, The Edge of Heaven. 24: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 26: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 29: Prospectus for final paper due. May 1: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 3: Excerpt from Kedi, The Cats of Istanbul. 6: Turkish writers—short stories and excerpts. 8: Orhan Pamuk. My Name is Red. Chapters 1 through 6. 10: Final class day. Course evaluations. Answers to the question: will we venture into Pamuk-land ever again? .