ENGL 108B
W22 Ugor
English 108B/001.1LEC—Global English Literature(s)
Instructor: Prof. Paul Ugor
Term: Winter 2023
Office: Hagey Hall 154
Lectures: Tues/Thurs, 1:00pm-2:20pm
Phone: 519 888-4567519x40501
Venue: HH 139
Email: pugor@uwaterloo.ca
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30pm-4:30pm
Course Description
In the contemporary era of expansive international economic and cultural connections now known as globalization, literature also holds an important place in the flow of global political-economic and cultural ideas and networks. The term “global literature” implies the dissemination of literature from and to countries across the globe. Global or World literature, in the modern sense, therefore, refers to literary works that have been translated into multiple languages and circulated to an audience outside their country of origin. As new ways emerge of delivering literature to readers worldwide, literary scholars are beginning to examine the impact that these works have on global culture and the ways that cultures can, and have transformed the world, especially by offering us new insights into other forms of human experience. This course, thus, examines the ways in which modern global literatures can be an amazing instrument for analyzing globalization. Drawing from both writers and filmmakers from different regions of the world, we will examine how modern cultural producers capture the intricacies of our globalized world and how their works circulate within that world to find their own audiences. Our study of global English literatures aims to demonstrate how that genre functions as a powerful cultural tool for understanding globalization.
Required Texts
Antjie Krog. Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998 (Creative Non-Fiction, South Africa).
Brian Friel. Translations. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1995 (Play, Ireland).
Tomson Highway. Kiss of the Fur Queen. University of Oklahoma Press, 2008 (Canada).
13th Amendment (Documentary, US)
Life and Debt (Documentary, Jamaica)
Activities:
- Lectures
- Class discussion
- Formal and informal writing
- Group Presentations
- Development of formal essays prepared outside of class meetings
- End of term final examination
Assignments and Evaluation
Written assignments for this course will include one research essay, weekly reviews, group presentation, spontaneous in-class writings, and a final examination.
- Attendance and Participation (10% of final grade)
A very vibrant in-class discussion will be a crucial aspect of this class, so active attendance and participation are required. Participation means coming to class ready to contribute to the discussion, having done the assigned readings and jotted down a few notes about it (what were the main points of the article/most interesting aspects of the text? what were the strengths and weaknesses of the article/how did the text resonate with course readings? what questions do you have about it?). Note that you must come to class with a hardcopy of the primary text being studied for the day. The quality and quantity of contributions to discussions in class also matter. So, it is important that you give serious thought to what you say in class and how you say it. Some of the issues we will be discussing are controversial, so an open mind and a willingness to deal with both difficult knowledge(s) and uncomfortable truths are paramount. Tardiness and unexcused, undocumented absences will have a negative effect upon your grade for this course. Please let me know if you must miss a class because of illness or emergency. If you have a learning disability or other issue that makes participation in class discussion a problem for you, please bring this to my attention early in the semester. So, commitment to attending all class activities is necessary to succeed in this course.
- Annotated Bibliography (15% of final grade)
The aim of the annotated bibliography exercise and the working thesis paragraph is to provide a foundation for the writing of the research paper. There are two components to this assignment. You’ll be expected to find a minimum of two academic sources related to the primary text on which you’re doing your research essay. All the sources must be peer-reviewed articles (check the university library databases). You will create an annotated bibliography the two sources. Details of this assignment will be provided in a different assignment sheet with prompts on LEARN.
- Group Presentation (10% of final grade)
As part of this course, each student must be involved in one group presentation. Note, however, that while you will be presenting as a group, you will be judged both as a group and as an individual presenter. In other words, it is not the group’s performance that determines your grade; it is your own performance in the presentation that defines your scores. It is important to see the group presentation as a pedagogical moment where you’ll not only teach the class something, but also raise questions that you think may be pertinent to the discussion at hand. The presentations will begin in the last two weeks of the term. You will be graded on the clarity of your presentation (do you bring out the main points of your presentation in an understandable way?), the quality of your discussion questions, and your efforts to involve the class. Creative presentations will be judged especially favourably. You must submit a one-page report of your contribution to the group work on the day you make your presentation.
4. Research Essay (15% of final grade)
You will be required to write one well-researched essay during the term. In your research paper, you will be expected to reflect on a chosen text utilizing relevant scholarly readings (books, essays, documentaries, etc.) and discussions from the class and elsewhere. The paper should be between 6-8 typed pages (2000 words) in length and should show clear evidence of scholarly research. The aim of the research is to use the twin concepts of globalization and postcolonialism in analysing any text we have read this term. Your primary concern will be to show what is global and postcolonial about the text and how it enacts global postcolonial concerns through various narrative techniques. In general, the emphasis will be on a clear demonstration of the ability to have academic conversation with other scholars on the text. Your research paper may focus on a postcolonial text which we didn’t read this term.
5. Spontaneous In-class Writing and/or Mini-Reviews (30% of final grade)
Please note that all in-class writings and mini-reviews must be retained by the students. You will be expected to submit a portfolio with all in-class work and reviews at the end of the term. In-class writings and reviews will constitute 30% of your grade for this course. You must be in class in person to participate in any in-class writing exercise. This means that if you are not in class, you cannot make up for any in-class writing and reviews that you have missed. Please do not email me to ask for an opportunity to complete any in-class writing(s) you missed. The folder, with all in-class writings and reviews, will be due for submission in the last week of April 2018.
Below is a breakdown of how the various course components will be evaluated.
Weighting of Course Requirements:
Attendance/Participation 10% (Due Date, End of Term)
Annotated Bibliography 15% (Due Date, Feb. 17th)
Group Presentation 10% (Due Date, April 6th)
In-class Writing and/or Mini-Reviews 30% (Due Date, April 4th)
Research Essay 15% (Due Date, February 28th)
Final Examination 20% (Due Date, TBA)
Total 100%
Academic Integrity Statement: Academic integrity is expected in all classroom endeavours. Students are expected to be honest in all academic work. A student’s placement of his/her name on any academic exercise shall be regarded as assurance that the work is the result of the student’s own thought, effort, and study. Students who have questions regarding issues of academic dishonesty should refer to the university regulation which outlines acceptable behaviour in academic matters. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the UWaterloo Academic Integrity Policy, located at Home | Academic Integrity | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca). It is the student’s and faculty’s responsibility to uphold the principle of academic integrity. Academic integrity is an important part of this university and this course. Academic integrity is required of you the students and I as the instructor. Academic integrity should be used in preparation of this course, in class time, regarding exams, and with regards to written assignments. In certain circumstances (such as cheating or plagiarism) a faculty member may be required to refer a student(s) to Community Rights and Responsibility for a violation of University of Waterloo’s Code of Student Conduct.
The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
- Plagiarism, e.g., the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.
- Improper collaboration in group work.
- Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.
Stress and Other Related Issues
Life at college can get very complicated. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished self-esteem. However, many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student Counselling Services (SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stresses. Student Counselling Services is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counsellors, who are attuned to the needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at Student Run Services: https://wusa.ca/services/student-run-services/.
Accessibility Statement
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 200 University Ave West, Student Life Centre, Room 1116, Waterloo, ON or visit
the https://wusa.ca/services/student-supports/.
UWaterloo LEARN:
We will be using LEARN (the online learning management system at Uwaterloo) available at Homepage - ENGL 108B - Winter 2023 (uwaterloo.ca). Students should be aware that when they access the electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last names, usernames for the ISU e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology used. Continuation in this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure, please discuss this with the course instructor. We will use ‘LEARN’ to distribute additional information about course assignments and expectations, including hand-outs and assignment guides, so you should make a point of accessing it frequently (at least twice per week) to keep up-to-date with our course. Any announcements about changes to assigned readings, office hours, or class cancellations will also be made through ‘LEARN.’ Students who are unfamiliar with the ‘Sakai’ system should familiarize themselves with it as soon as possible; if you have any questions please seek immediate assistance by calling technology support during office hours, or review the online tips and help available by visiting the Tech. Support webpage: Home | LEARN Help | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca).
Important Notes and Terms of Enrolment:
Please note that continuation in this course will be deemed agreement to adhere to the terms of enrolment outlined in this course outline. If you have any questions or concerns about these terms, please contact me immediately. Important Notes:
A). Course Policies:
You
are
expected
to
be
cautious
and
polite
while
speaking
in
class.
Even
if
you
disagree
with
others
in
class,
you
must
do
so
within
respectable
limits.
Students
are
expected
to
hand
in
their
assignments
on
time.
Assignments
will
only
be
accepted
in
hard
copy
or
through
LEARN
(NOT
THROUGH
EMAIL).
Appropriate
arrangements
must
be
made
for
a
late
submission
prior
to
the
due
date.
Failure
to
do
this
will
result
in
a
10%
loss
of
the
said
assignment
or
maybe
be
rejected
completely
by
the
professor.
Cell
phones
must
be
turned
off
and
put
away
at
the
beginning
of
every
class.
It
is
important
that
you
remember
this
caution!
Laptops
are
only
permitted
for
taking
notes.
For
my
position
on
the
use
of
laptops,
see
Darren
Rosenblum’s
recent
article
in
the
New
York
Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/opinion/leave-your-laptops-at-the-
door-to-my-classroom.html?_r=0.
b. Email Policy:
For the purposes of this course, all email communication sent from students to me must originate from the student's own University of Waterloo email account. This policy protects confidentiality and confirms the identity of the student. I will delete emails that do not originate from a UWaterloo email account. Take as much care with your email communications as you do with written assignments. Be sure to write clearly and to proofread and edit your messages. Avoid abbreviations and other texting shortcuts. Please remember that in email messages, as in your verbal communication with your professor, your tone should be polite and respectful.
c. Occasional Changes
The professor and the university reserve the right to adjust segments of the course during the term. If these changes become necessary, appropriate, and timely notice will be sent out to students. It is the responsibility of students to check their email and course website to note such changes.
Tentative Course Schedule:
Week One: Introduction: Global/World Literature: History and Meaning
January 10th: Course Description, Schedule, Ground Rules, & Administrative Matters
-- Story Vs. Narrative: An Introduction: read Sutherland, “Narrative/story” in How Literature Works, Pp. 28-31
January 12th: What is World Literature?: History and Meaning (Review no. 1 due)
Week Two: Globalization & Postcolonialism: Interconnections, Conflicts & Complicities
January 17th: What is Global English Literatures (or Postcolonial Literatures)?
--Read R. Young, Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction (1-26).
--Screening of Life and Debt (Documentary, Stephanie Black, Jamaica)
January 19th: Group Discussion on Globalization and Postcolonialism *(Review no. 2 due) Weeks Three—Five: African Literature: Nation and Narration
January 24th: Read Country of My Skull, Pp. v-66
--Watch Long Night’s Journey into Day: A Quest for Justice in South Africa. (Review no. 3 due)
January 26th: Read Antjie Krog, Country of My Skull, Pp. 67-102
January 31st: Read Antjie Krog, Country of My Skull, Pp. 103-161. February 2nd: Read Antjie Krog, Country of My Skull, Pp. 162-200.
February 7th: Read Antjie Krog, Country of My Skull, 201-255 February 9th: Read Antjie Krog, Country of My Skull, 259-386
Week Six: Biopolitics: Race and Necropolitics in the Era of Globalization
February 14th: Screening of 13TH Amendment (Documentary).
February 16th: Read Michel Foucault, “Society Must Be Defended, 17 March 1976.”
*(Review no. 4 due).
Weeks Seven—February 18th -26th, Reading Week, No Classes. Weeks Eight-Nine: Language, Identity and Power in Irish Literature
February 28th: Read Bill Ashcroft’s Caliban's Voice: The Transformation of English in Post- Colonial Lit. (Chapter two). *(Review no. 5 due). Also read Brian Friels, Translations, Pp. 1-37. March 2nd: Brian Friels, Translations, Pp. 38-67
March 7th: Read Brian Friels, Translations, Pp. 68-91 March 9th: Brian Friels, Translations, Cont’d.
Weeks Ten –Twelve: Indigeneity, Postcoloniality and Aboriginal Writing
March 14th: Screening of Tim Wolochatuik’s, We Were Children (Feature Film, 84 Mins.) March 16th: Read Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen
March 21st: Read Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen
March 23rd: Read Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen (Review no. 5 due)
March 28th: Read Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen
March 30th: Read Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen
Week Thirteen: Group Presentations and Review
April 4th: Preparations for Group Presentations, No classes
April 6th: Last Day of Class, Presentations—Groups A, B. C, & D