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This page: FL224 / ENG 224 (section 001) -- Spring 2009 -- Orientation

World Literature Curriculum
Contemporary World Literature II
"Transnational Literature of the Twentieth Century"

Instructor:

     John Mertz (Associate Professor of Japanese, Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures)
          Office: 402 Withers Building
          email:  John_Mertz@ncsu.edu
          office hours:  T H 1:30-2:30 (or by appointment; or please stop by if I'm in).

Class Hours and Location:

     T H  3:00-4:15pm  Harrelson 174

Enrollment Criteria:

     There are no prerequisites for this class (the catalog may say 'ENG112' but I think that's wrong). 
     Please note that other versions of the class are listed under ENG224. 
          (all of which can satisfy the World Lit requirement)
     If TRACS rejects you, please see me.

Course Description:

The twentieth century produced a rich literature of travel, migration, and imaginations of ‘otherness.’  We will examine eight novels/narratives -- mostly centering around Asia -- that challenge the gaps between the West and other regions; English and other languages; authors and the people they write about; their writing and our reading; aesthetics and power; ideals and realities; centralization and marginalization; essence and exception; the necessities to participate and the possibilities to critique.  Our overall goal is to improve our understanding of the uses of literary and narrative culture.

Texts:

     The following texts are required; they may be purchased online or at NCSU Bookstores:

     Burroughs, Edgar Rice.  Tarzan of the Apes.  ISBN-13: 978-1593082277
     José Rizal.  Noli me tangere.  ISBN-13: 978-0143039693
     Natsume Sôseki.  Botchan.  ISBN-13: 978-0804802321
     Takeyama Michiyo.  Harp of Burma.  ISBN-13: 978-0804802321
     R.K.Narayan.  The Guide.  ISBN-13: 978-0143039648
     Su Tong.  Opium Family.  ISBN-13: 978-0060596330
     Pramoedya Ananta Toer.  All That is Gone.  ISBN-13: 978-0143034469
     Oe Kenzaburo.  A Personal Matter.   ISBN-13: 978-0802150615

Course Structure: 

We will read the texts in the order listed above.  Detailed calendar and page assignments may be found on the link from my home page at http://www4.ncsu.edu/~fljpm/

Requirements:

Preparation for class participation: Before each class, you will need to read the assignment closely enough to be able to do some thinking about it, with enough time left over to do some actual thinking about it.  Be creative in your thinking: DO let your mind wander, but try not to stray too far from the text.  I imagine your thinking will take a few specific directions:
a.  Making basic sense of the text (most often issues of plot and character: who does what and why).
b.  How does the text 'map out' the world (geography, power, gender, race, wealth, culture, etc.).
c.  How do the stylistics of the text . 
d.  How does the text relate to social/historical contexts (i.e., how is it relevant)?
e.  How does the text position itself in the world (e.g., how does it project an audience)?
f.  Does the text project a certain understanding of the world as 'established,' and does it 'mess' with that?
nb: I expect you will often think "How can I really get this without knowing much more about xzy?" That's okay.  Value that question. 
nb: Sometimes you may think you've got a great idea in mind, but when you try to express it in class it comes out sounding idiotic.  There is only one remedy for this: work on it.  Take notes when you read.  Write down your thoughts as if you were trying to explain them to someone else. 

In-class discussions:  Be ready.  This shouldn't mean jumping straight to the most complex issue we can find. Start simple.  Please be ready with some sort of a passage or quotation that you think is either representative, problematic, or otherwise interesting: we will usually start with a few of those, and use them to work towards a more overarching discussion.  Class participation will come naturally for some of you -- just don't hog other people's time.  For others, it can prove excruciating.  Nonetheless, it is a vital professional skill that you be able to contribute clearly, meaningfully, dynamically and tactfully to a discussion.  If you are silent, your grade will suck. 

Papers:  Three papers, due February 17 (7 pages), March 17 (7 pages), and during finals week (10 pages).  Topics will be assigned, based on in-class lectures and discussions. 

Grading:

In-class discussion:  50%
Papers:   50%

Absences, Cancellations, etc:

I will regularly use class time to explain topics that I would like you to think about for upcoming classes, and the content of discussion will often continue from one class to the next.  Thus, if you miss a class, you will lose contact with the flow of the discussion very quickly.  IF YOU MUST MISS A CLASS, YOU MUST EMAIL ME.  I really don't care about the legitimacy of your excuse, but I do care that you stay with the program. 

On occasion, it may be necessary to cancel class (weather emergencies, sick teacher, etc.).  If this happens, then we will simply pick up where we left off.   No matter what happens, continue writing your logs, and use the extra time to read ahead. 

Auditing:

Auditors will not have to write papers, but will still be required to write and submit logs. 

Emergencies:

Your physical and mental health and well-being take precedence over everything else in life.  If you have an alcohol, drug, or depression problem, or if you experience signs of incipient spontaneous combustion (it happens!), then please come talk to us, or seek counselling services, etc.  You are always welcome at our offices if things are getting to you and you need someone to talk to.  If you seek NCSU counselling and they want to schedule your appointment for sometime in the next century, then please see me and I will call them directly. ---JPM