Course Descriptions: Fall 2009

Please note that these course descriptions are preliminary only and subject to change before the course begins. Check my web site at www.russellgreer.com for updates before the courses begin.  

ENG 5173.50  Studies in Ethnic, Multicultural and Cross Cultural Literature.  Catalog Description: "Literature in English by authors whose work reflects the experience of ethnic or minority groups.  Focus on themes, genres, particular groups, authors, or historical periods.  May be repeated for credit with specific topic of investigation varies.  Credit: three hours." 

The focus of this course will be on postcolonial literature in English.  It will serve as an introduction to the topic. 

Required readings: (1) The Postcolonial Studies Reader.  (Eds. Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, Helen Tiffin.  2nd edition.  Routledge.  2006.  ISBN: 0-415-34565-0); (2) An Anthology of Colonial and Postcolonial Short Fiction (Ed. Dean Baldwin.  Wadsworth Publishing.  2006. ISBN: 978-0618318810); (3) Mister Johnson by Joyce Cary (Publisher: Dramatist's Play Service.  1939.  ISBN: 978-0822207641); (4) Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Anchor.  ISBN:  1958.  978-0385474542); (5) Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Heinemann Educational Books.  1967. ISBN: 978-0435913564); (6) The White Tiger: A Novel by Aravind Adiga (Free Press. 2008. ISBN: 978-1416562603).

Introduction to Postcolonial Studies.

ENG 4333.50  Introduction to the Study of World Literature.   Catalog Description: "Study of representatives of ancient, classical, medieval, and modern literature in translation.  Stress on intercultural relationships as well as individualizing characteristics of works analyzed.  Prerequisites: Nine hours of English.  Credit: Three hours."

This course will be taught completely online. There is no required face-to-face meetings, no orientation (except by appointment in my office), and no final examination (although there is a final project).  We will read five novels, all by controversial, contemporary authors from around the world who have written texts banned or challenged by their cultures or who have been forced to live aboard.  We will read Paradise of the Blind (Vietnam) by Duong Thu Huong (1991. Harper Perennial.  ISBN: 0060505591); Snow (Turkey) by Orhan Pamuk (2002. Vintage International. ISBN: 0-375-70686-0); Purple Hibiscus (Nigeria) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1993. Anchor. ISBN: 1400076943); and The House of the Spirits (Chile) by Isabel Allende (1982. Dial Press Trade Paperback.  ISBN: 0553383809); and The Bastard of Istanbul (Turkey) by Elif Shafak (Viking Adult.  ISBN: 978-0670038343).  In addition, I have assigned one book of criticism: What is World Literature? by David Damrosch (Princeton University Press.  2003. ISBN: 0691049866), and one book on writing: They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (W.W. Norton. ISBN: 0393924092).  

ENG 3023.50.  Representative Works of British Literature 1760 to the Present.  Catalog Description:  "Examines significant works in depth with study of authors and genres in relation to the aesthetic, historical, and cultural contexts.  Requires research with primary and secondary sources.  Credit: Three hours."

This course will be taught completely online. There is no required face-to-face meetings, no orientation (except by appointment in my office), and no final examination (although there is a final project). 

We will use The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 2 (8th edition).  You can purchase this anthology either in one volume or in a three-paperback package.  I am ordering the one volume at the TWU bookstore (ISBN 0-393-92532-3).  I also ask you to purchase They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (W.W. Norton. ISBN: 0393924092) to guide your writing.

Last updated: 11 May 2009