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The Course Description:

This course is a survey of world literature from the 19th and 20th centuries. Through reading, class discussion, lecture, and student writing, we will examine principal works of writers from around the globe. Reading, writing about, and discussing these works will introduce students to authors from a diversity of cultures and will expose students to new and different perspectives, opinions, and lifestyles, thus enabling individuals to better understand the world and their place in it. English 314 is designed to give you a broad base in the area of modern world literature; the course is intended to help you develop and consolidate critical, analytical, and expressive skills by applying them in the contexts of oral conversation, class discussions, a final presentation, and writing exercises about the literature. In this course you have the opportunity to interconnect disciplines and cultures; interface reading, thinking, writing, and speaking; and sharpen your awareness of various perspectives about the world, its history, its cultures, its changes as they relate to the players, the thinkers, the writers, and you. Emphasis is on reading accurately, identifying differences and patterns, analyzing structures, critiquing content, developing ideas around themes, and presenting your thoughts about the readings. This is a wonderful course, make it work for you.

The Course Requirements:

JOURNAL: Your journal is a tool for developing and polishing critical thinking and analytical skills as they apply in discovering meaning in literature; notetaking on the readings in preparation for class discussions and for exams; analysing ideas from the texts; and generating new ideas. You are required to keep a journal and I may check your progress occasionally. YOU MAY USE YOUR JOURNAL ON CLASS TESTS, so keep it up to date. Make a note of significant quotes, excerpts or chapters for class discussion and for recall on tests. You may want to share some of your entries with me or with classmates in working through ideas for class discussion, exams, and/or for your final creative project.

WRITING EXERCISES/PAPERS: You will complete three papers which will be approximately 1500-2000 words (5-7 pages, typed, double-spaced). Each will be a critical analysis of a work of your choice from the syllabus. NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED.

READINGS: All readings on the syllabus are required. We may not discuss every reading in as much detail as others. Keep notes on the readings in your class journal to recall for writing exercises, tests, the midterm and final presentation.

TESTS: You will have tests in which you will respond to the assigned readings. All of the tests are indicated in the syllabus; it is important that you stay abreast. Your journal will be invaluable for working through questions and ideas you have concerning the readings, so use it to your advantage; you may use your journal to assist you during tests. Also the class discussions will be helpful in formulating ideas about the works, so class attendance is essential.

ELECTRONIC CLASS: We will be meeting in Cyberspace on a regular basis. You must have email capacity and a browser for internet research. I will give the electronic assignments on the week before they are due; if you miss explanations, please contact me via email at sandra.feldman@sonoma.edu or by phone at 664.2437 to catch up.

CREATIVE PRESENTATIONS: You will do three in-class presentations, each approximately 1 to 2 minutes. You will render a theme through art and briefly explain your interpretations to the rest of the class. I will give you more direction before the due dates.

FINAL CREATIVE PRESENTATION: You will do one informal oral presentation at the end of the semester to share with the class; information you have uncovered about the works covered in the course. The focus of creative presentations will be your choice. Consult with me for suggestions. Be thinking as we move through the semester about a theme that runs through the novels around which to center your creative endeavor.

PEER GROUP WORK: Exploring possible literary interpretations for the course will be accomplished both in class discussion and in small collaborative groups at regular intevals throughout the semester. Since the success of this mode of discovery depends heavily on the quality of participation of each member of the group, great importance is attached to class participation. Positive, creative, helpful modes of operation within groups are expected.

MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMS: The Midterm Exam will cover the readings of the first half of the semesterm and the Final Exam/Final Creative Presentation (they are one in the same) will cover the works of the entire semester. On the midterm exam you will respond in writing to essay questions addressing 1) issues discussed in class, 2) themes in readings.

EVALUATION: You will be evaluated on your papers (30%), tests (30%), the midterm exam (20%), and final creative presentation (20%).

STUDENT/TEACHER CONFRENCES: I am available weekly to discuss your papers, tests, classwork, readings, or your final creative presentation. Please make an appointment with me if you need help. If you cannot meet during my consultation hours, Wednesdays 4-5 in Ukiah, we'll set another time. We can also talk via phone during my SSU office hours. I encourage you to meet often to discuss your progress and your needs. If you are having problems outside of school, please let me know, especially in the case of repeated absenses, so I can keep you informed of the work in class.