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English 242 Section 1

Cultural Studies and Non-Western World Literature

Fall 2014
Coulter 102
10:10-11:00

Instructor: Paul Worley
Office: Coulter 409
Email: pmworley@wcu.edu
Website: www.paulmworley.com
Office Hours: 11:10-12:00 M/F; 2:30-3:30 W; and by appointment

I. Rationale/Purpose
In this section of Cultural Studies and non-Western World Literature students will read, engage, and analyze non-Western
cultural production in its relationship with the West. Though an object of analysis since Goethe, can the concept of
World Literature truly encompass the diverse array of aesthetic production and sign systems used across the world? Do
the concept Literature and the use of the alphabet already pre-suppose a certain kind of translation into Western norms?
How do non-Western texts consciously (or unconsciously) push back against these very limitations?


II. Course Aims and Objectives:
Students enrolled in the course will:
Be able to identify the tensions within non-Western literary texts of World Literature
Compare the approaches and forms of resistance present within these works
Demonstrate how these works appropriate Western ways of knowing for non-Western ends
Evaluate the political possibilities of these aesthetic interventions
Produce an original, hybrid creative work that explores these topics, as well as a critical reflection on how
mechanisms of cultural dialogue and cultural appropriation function

III. Course Materials

Required Texts:
Rental
Davis, Paul, et. al. The Bedford Anthology of World Literature: The Modern World, 1650-The Present.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.

Supplemental for purchase in bookstore
Neruda, Pablo. Canto General. Berkeley: U of California P, 1991.
Yahgulanaas, Michael Nicoll. Red: A Haida Manga. Canada: Douglas and McIntyre, 2010.

Additional readings available online through my website

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IV. Faculty Expectations of Students/Course Policies

Statement on Accommodations for students with disabilities:

Office of Disability Services

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal
educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. Students who require
reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and/or medical condition and provide
current diagnostic documentation to the Office of Disability Services. All information is confidential. Please contact
the Office of Disability Services at (828) 227-3886 or come by Suite 135 Killian Annex for an appointment.

Student Support Services

Student Support Services provides support to students who are either first-generation, low-income or those who have
disclosed a disability with: academic advising, mentoring, one-on-one tutorial support, and workshops focused on
career, financial aid and graduate school preparation. You may contact SSS at (828) 227-7127 or email
sssprogram@wcu.edu for more information. SSS is located in the Killian Annex, room 138.

Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC)

The Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC), located in BELK 207, provides free small-group course tutoring, one-
on-one writing tutoring and academic skills consultations, and online writing and learning resources for all students.
All tutoring sessions take place in the WaLC or in designated classrooms on campus. To schedule tutoring
appointments, log in to TutorTrac from the WaLC homepage (walc.wcu.edu) or call 828-227-2274. Distance students
and students taking classes at Biltmore Park are encouraged to use Smarthinking and the WaLCs online resources.
Students may also take advantage of writing tutoring offered at the Biltmore Park campus on certain days of the week;
call 828-227-2274 or log in to TutorTrac and select Biltmore Park Writing Tutoring for availabilities.

Statement on Academic Integrity (including plagiarism):

Academic Integrity Policy

"I will practice personal and academic integrity" WCU Community Creed

Western Carolina University (WCU) strives to achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any
violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and
undermines the integrity of the community. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a violation of the Code
of Student Conduct (see dsce.wcu.edu for more information).

Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy include:
Cheating - Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic
exercise.
Plagiarism - Representing the words or ideas of someone else as ones own in any academic exercise. Note:
WCU instructors reserve the right to use plagiarism prevention software (such as SafeAssignment.com),
library resources, as well as Google, Yahoo, and/or other Internet search engines to determine whether or not
student papers have been plagiarized. With plagiarism prevention software, instructors may upload student
papers into a searchable database or teach students how to upload their own work as part of the course
requirements.
Fabrication - Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academic exercise.
Facilitation - Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy in
any academic exercise (e.g. allowing another to copy information during an examination)

Faculty members have the right to determine the appropriate sanction(s) for violations of the Academic Integrity
Policy within their courses, up to and including a final grade of F in the course. Students will be notified, in
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writing, of any Academic Integrity Policy allegation and have the right to respond to the allegation. The full text of
the WCU Academic Integrity Policy, Process, and the Faculty Reporting Form can be found online
at: academicintegrity.wcu.edu. Please visit studysmart.wcu.edu for further information.

Attendance Policy:
M/W/F: Regular class attendance and participation are expectations for this course. Upon a
students fifth (5th) absence, the students final course grade will be lowered one full letter
grade (e.g., from A to B, B to C, etc.). Upon an sixth (6th) absence, the student will fail the course
automatically.

The only excused absences under this policy are those absences described as excused within
University policy. Those situations are: 1) bona fide medical emergencies (with documentation);
2) death of an immediate family member (with documentation); 3) pre-arranged religious
observance; 4) participation in a University event sanctioned by the Chancellor to promote the
university. Two of these situations (3 and 4) are foreseeable, and would require advanced
notice, documentation, and coordination with the instructor in order to qualify as excused and
not be counted against the numbers outlined in this policy. Students should consult the
University Catalog (http://catalog.wcu.edu/) for details regarding the Universitys General
Attendance Policy and University Excused Absences.

Statement on late and/or makeup assignments:
Assignments submitted the course meeting following a given due date will be docked a full letter grade. In fairness to
students who submitted work on time, assignments submitted up to a week late will be given no better than a C (75).
Assignments are not accepted after they are a week late, and will be given an F and numerical grade of (0).
Assignments that are simply not submitted will received an F with a numerical grade of (0).
Furthermore, you will only be allowed to turn in one late assignment (and only if I say its OK to do so); any
subsequent late work will not be accepted. You will not be able to pass this class unless you complete all
assignments.

I will not accept any final draft of an assignment sent to me via e-mail. If you are having trouble with an assignment,
please speak to me as soon as possible.

Statement of expectations for participation/classroom behavior:
Participation: Active participation is a key component of this course. Please do not bring food to class as this will
inhibit your moving about and communicating your thoughts and opinions to others. It is expected that students will
be mindful and respectful of each other at all times, particularly when expressing opposing viewpoints on a given
topic.

Laptops/Cellphones: Please refrain from using your cellphones and laptops in class unless otherwise explicitly told to
do so by the instructor. Should cellphone use become a problem you will be asked to leave.

Recording: No student may record, tape, or photograph any classroom activity without the express written consent of
the instructor. Students may not make audio or video recordings of course activities except students permitted to
record as an approved accommodation. Recordings of class may not be posted publicly (online or otherwise) or
distributed to individuals who are not students in the course without the express permission of the faculty member and
of any students who are recorded.

Statement on participation in on-line course evaluations:
You are highly encouraged to participate in the university-sanctioned evaluation of this course. The dates for this
semester are November 9-December 6.

Statement of use of special programs or services:
As part of its design, at different points in the semester this course may make use of social media. Students are
therefore required to have a Twitter account (twitter.com). Student privacy is a priority, so students may opt to have
an anonymous Twitter handle if they so choose. Other programs such a Blackboard will be utilized as appropriate.
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Inclement weather policy:
In the event of inclement weather please pay attention to University announcements regarding cancellation of class or
closure while maintaining an accurate assessment of your personal situation. If you live off campus and do not feel
you can safely make it to/from campus, do not come.

V. Grading Procedures:
Required: [You should indicate your grading scale, relative weight and brief description of all major assignments, and
primary methods of assessment. A statement should be included indicating how the grading/assessment meets the course
objectives stated above.]

Percentage of Grade Students Score
Essay 1 10%
Essay 2 15%
Final Project 20%
Mid-Term Exam 15%
Final Exam 20%
Participation and Homework 20%
Final Grade:

Essays and Final Project
More specific information about the design of these assignments will be distributed at a later date. The first essay will
be an analysis of an image or images, and how these intersect with course readings. The second essay will be a
comparative analysis of works read in class. The third will involve your translating a scene from Nerudas Canto
general into a comic with a theoretical critical reflection and the presentation of the piece during the final days of the
semester. Each paper will be between 2-3 full pages (circa 500-750 words), double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12
point font. Papers are exercises in critical thinking where you will read texts, analyze them, and draw conclusions
based on supporting evidence that you will assemble. As always, papers at every stage should follow MLA format and
documentation, be free of errors in spelling and grammar, and by typed. As stated below, plagiarism is not tolerated.

Exams
More specific information about exam design will be distributed at a later date. The Midterm and Final Exams gauge
your knowledge of, retention of, and engagement with the material.

Participation and Homework
You are expected to attend class and actively participate in discussion by coming prepared, having read the days
reading, bringing your book, and by asking and responding to questions. This is a discussion-based course, so if I
have to call on you, you are not actively participating!

Any daily pop quizzes done in class will be allocated here.

As part of this, you will be asked to do a brief presentation having to do with the course reading introducing what you
feel are the relevant/salient topics from the days reading. These will be brief (10-15 minutes), require you to make
use of PowerPoint, and formulate 3-4 questions around which the class will base its discussion. You are more than
welcome to guide the discussion where you would like to see it go! This assignment is half of the participation grade.

Grading and Quality Point System*

Grade Interpretation Quality Points per Grade Interpretation Quality Points per
Semester Hour Semester Hour

A+ Excellent 4.0 I Incomplete [ -- ]
A Excellent 4.0 IP In Progress [ -- ]
A- 3.67 S Satisfactory [ -- ]
B+ 3.33 U Unsatisfactory [ -- ]
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B Good 3.0 W Withdrawal [ -- ]
B- 2.67 AU Audit [ -- ]
C+ 2.33 NC No Credit [ -- ]
C Satisfactory 2.0
C- 1.67
D+ 1.33
D Poor 1.0
D- .67
F Failure 0

* See Graduate Catalog for the graduate level grading system.

The grades of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F indicate gradations in quality from Excellent to Failure.
Please note that a C- grade is less than satisfactory and may not meet particular program and/or course requirements.

Composition-Condition Marks. A student whose written work in any course fails to meet acceptable standards will be
assigned a composition-condition (CC) mark by the instructor on the final grade report. All undergraduates who receive
two CC grades prior to the semester in which they complete 110 hours at Western Carolina University are so notified by
the registrar and are required to pass English 300 or English 401 before they will be eligible for graduation. This course
must be taken within two semesters of receiving the second CC and must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Students must be familiar with the class attendance, withdrawal, and drop-add policies and procedures.

Assignments
Note: Attending class without the book in which the reading is due or without having done the reading will result in a
zero for homework and participation for that days class. You will not be eligible to pass this class unless you
complete all assignments. Handwritten assignments at the college level are unacceptable. I will not accept
handwritten work from you under any circumstances. Final drafts of essays will not be accepted unless I have seen
and critiqued a preliminary draft of the essay.

VIII. Tentative Course Schedule
May change to accommodate guest presenters & student needs

August
18 Introduction to the Course: Locating the World
20 Introduction: Is there a World Literature Part 1
https://nplusonemag.com/issue-17/the-intellectual-situation/world-lite/
22 Introduction: Is there a World Literature Part 2
http://mason.gmu.edu/~ayadav/Goethe%20on%20World%20Literature.pdf;
https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/engl-218-fall2010/files/Goethes-World-Literature-Paradigm-and-
Contempor.pdf

Unit 1: Colonialism and Inequality
25 Popol vuh
http://www.mesoweb.com/publications/Christenson/PopolVuh.pdf (skim the introduction, read pages 50-7)
http://library.osu.edu/projects/popolwuj/ (online facsimile of the manuscript)
27 Equiano, 448-77
29 Equiano, 477-93
African American Folk Songs, 544-52
Assign Final Project

September
1 No Class
3 Neruda, biography, 1543-7
Neruda, A Lamp on Earth, The Heights of Macchu Picchu, 13-42
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5 Neruda, The Conquistadors, 43-70

8 Conrad, Text in Context, 1154-9
Conrad, Heart of Darkness, 1159-82
10 Conrad, Heart of Darkness, 1182-1201
Kipling, The White Mans Burden, 1228-9
Williams, from An Open Letter, 1231-6
12 Conrad, Heart of Darkness, 1201-19
Achebe, An Image of Africa http://kirbyk.net/hod/image.of.africa.html
Assign Images Essay

15 Achebe, Text in Context, 1597-1603
Achebe, Things Fall Apart, 1604-36
17 Achebe, Things Fall Apart, 1636-66
19 Images Assignment Due in Class

22 Achebe, Things Fall Apart, 1666-93
24 Draft Essay 1 Workshop
26 Mid-Term

Unit 2: Revolution, Postcolonialism, and Decolonization
29 Neruda, The Liberators, 71-110

October
1 Neruda, The Liberators, 110-47
3 Whittier, from Toussaint LOuverture, 726-7
Neruda, XXX: Toussaint LOuverture, 116-7

6 Marx and Engels, 1039-47
Chekov, 1247-50
8 Chekov, 1251-73
10 Chekov, 1273-89
Essay 1 Due

13 Fall Break
15 Fall Break
17 Fall Break

20 Colonization and Decolonization in India, 1225-7
Rao, 1241-2
Nehru, 1243-6
22 Tagore, 1290-1321
24 Tagore, 1321-40

27 Draft Essay 2 Workshop
29 Neruda, The Sand Betrayed, 149-202
31 Neruda, America,, Canto general de Chile, 203-35
Assign Final Project

Unit 3: Neocolonialism and Resistance
November
3 Neruda, The Earths Name is Juan, Let the Woodcutter Awaken, 237-72
Essay 2 Due
5 Neruda, The Fugitive, The Flowers of Punitaqui, 273-318
7 Storyboard in class
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10 Neruda, New Years Chorale 319-336
12 Neruda, The Great Ocean, 337-72
14 Neruda, I am, 373-400

17 Red: A Haida Manga rest of the semester
Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POMbyPLhqRI

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBbLiEqUZ-g
19 Haida Manga
21 Haida Manga

24 Haida Manga
26 No class
28 No class

December
1 Final Projects
3 Final Projects
5 Final Projects

Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec 10 from 8:30-11:00
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I have read and understood the course syllabus.



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