RICHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
RCC Core Values: Commitment – Respect – Excellence – Accountability – Diversity
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: ENGL 280: Non-Western Literature
Development Date: January 18, 2008
Projected Date of Initial offering: Spring, 2008
Prerequisite: Eligibility for English 101
Developer: Rosemarie King
Course Credits: 3-0-3
ICCB Code: 11-23030101
IAI: H3 908N
Offering Schedule: as needed
Methods of Instruction: Traditional/Hybrid/Online
Course Description:
Introduces literature in English by writers from non-western cultures, including: Asian, South Asian, African, Caribbean,
and Middle-Eastern.
Applicable toward graduation where program structure permits:
Certificate or Degree - All Certificates and All Degrees
Group Requirement – Humanities, Non-western requirement
Area of Concentration – English
Course Outcomes/Objectives:
1. Understand selected world cultures and their literary traditions
2. Understanding the intellectual, social, and political contexts of the works
3. Apply cultural knowledge to understand and interpret specific texts
4. Understand the literary significance of specific texts within world literature
5. Be able to speak and write about literature at the college level
6. Compare and contrast the elements that define exemplary literature from various traditions
Methods of Evaluation:
Midterm exam:
15%
Participation
10%
Midterm exam:
Final Examination
Responses/quizzes
Participation
2 Essays
Final Examination
2 Essays
25%
30%
Responses/quizzes
20%
15% short answer and short essay (2 pages)
25% short answer and short essays (4 pages total)
20% (at least 4 analytical responses written outside of class 1 ½ - 2 pages each)
10%
30% (4-5 pages each—analytical essays on one or two works)
Texts:
Mack, Maynard, gen. ed. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded ed. One vol. New York: Norton, 1997.
Hosseini, Khalid. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead-Penguin, 2004.
Desai, Anita. Clear Light of Day. New York: First Mariner-Houghton, 2000.
Course Outline:
Week 1
Introduction to course
Epic of Gilgamesh
Selections from Leiden Hymns and Love Songs (ancient Egypt)
Week 2
Asian literature: Early China—selections from Book of Songs, Confucius, Chuang Chou
Week 3
China’s Middle Period—selections from T’ao Ch’ien, Li Po, Tu Fu
Week 4
Vernacular literature in China—selections from Cao Xueqin
Week 5
Japanese literature—selections from The Man’yoshu, Murasaki Shikubu, Nobumitsu, and
Basho
Week 6
India’s Heroic and Classical ages—selections from The Ramayana, The Bhagavad-Gita,
and Kalidasa
Week 7
Medieval India—selections from Mahadeviyakka and Miribai
Paper 1 due
Week 8
Islamic literature—selections from The Koran, Ferdowsi, The Thousand and One Nights Midterm exam
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Africa in the Middle Ages—selections from Son-Jara
20th century Chinese Literature and Japanese literature—selections from Lu Xun, Nobuo
Post-colonialism and the contemporary landscape—Achebe, Things Fall Apart
Gordimer, selected works (South Africa)
Week 13
Week 14
Mahfouz and other contemporary Egyptian writers, selected works
Walcott, selected works (Caribbean)
Week 15
Week 16
Desai, Clear Light of Day (India)
Hosseini, The Kite Runner (Afghanistan)
Paper 2 due
Week 17
Final exam
Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory completion of a course. Richland faculty will take roll at each class meeting
at least through midterm. If a student is absent for one week plus one day (or less, if specified by the instructor in the course
outline), the student may be dropped from the course. At midterm the College will administratively drop any student who
has failed to meet the attendance standard as certified by the instructor. This report will be used to determine certain
financial aid awards. A student who fails to attend the first two classes of a course may also be dropped from the class.
Human Relations Policy:
This course incorporates concepts regarding all races, creeds, sexes, and ethnic groupings, and the belief that they must
learn to live together.
RCC Core Values:
Commitment - We are dedicated to meeting the needs of the communities we serve.
Respect - We recognize the expertise of all members of the College community and encourage individual contributions.
Excellence - We strive to develop and pursue higher standards.
Accountability - We assume and demonstrate responsibility for our actions.
Diversity/Inclusiveness - We believe that our similarities and differences are opportunities for establishing a common bond
and strengthening the College.
RCC Academic Integrity Policy:
Each student is expected to be honest in his/her class work or in the submission of information to the College. The College
regards dishonesty in classroom and laboratories and on assignments and examinations and the submission of false and
misleading information to the College as a serious offense. A student who cheats, plagiarizes, or furnishes false,
misleading information to the College is subject to disciplinary action up to and including failure of a class or
suspension/expulsion from the College.
Cross-Disciplinary Outcomes
The degree-seeking student will be able to communicate effectively (read, write, speak and listen).
The degree-seeking student will think critically and creatively.
The degree-seeking student will manage technology and evaluate information in various research and applied contexts.
The degree-seeking student will act professionally and responsibly.
my.richland.edu
Richland uses my.richland.edu as the information portal for students. Users can access a wide variety of web-based
services, including online registration, academic information, Richland e-mail, the Angel Learning Management System,
and the LRC research databases. Academic information available includes current semester schedule, unofficial transcripts,
grade point average projection, financial aid information review, online payment services, and degree auditing to determine
degree completion progress. Student grades are posted only on the my.richland.edu website. Grades will not be mailed to
students unless requested.
Students with a ―hold‖ placed on their records due to a financial obligation to the College or other unmet requirement will
be unable to view academic records.
RCC Student Support Services
College Telephone Number: 217-875-7211
Career Services, Room C129, Ext. 307, 205
Responsibilities: Career assessments, job placement information and transfer information and assistance
Counseling Services, Room C129, Ext. 267 Responsibilities: Academic advising, personal counseling.
Learning Accommodation Services, Room C132, Ext. 379
Responsibilities: Services for students with documented disabilities, including advisement, counseling, adaptive
equipment and materials, instructional aids, tutors, note takers, interpreters, and testing accommodations.
Learning Resources Center, Room C152, Ext. 296
Responsibilities: Manages print and non-print materials for both circulation and classroom use; offers research
assistance and information literacy workshops
Online Learning Support, www.richland.edu/online, Room W143, Ext. 372
Responsibilities: Assists students with navigation in an online course, access and navigation in the student
information system, and technical questions regarding personal computer system requirements and troubleshooting.
Assistance is also given to students in hybrid and technology enhanced courses. Staff provide technical support
through e-mail, telephone, and walk-in service.
Open Computer Labs
Students may use computers in the Learning Resources Center, in C238, and at kiosks in the west hallway. ID is
required for use in C238.
Student Learning Center, Room S117, Ext. 419
Responsibilities: Tutoring on walk-in or appointment basis, study groups, computers.
Student Records, Room C129, Ext. 255
Responsibilities: Registration, grades, transcripts, graduation.
Student Support Services/TRiO Program, Room C143, Ext. 440.
Responsibilities: Program designed for first-generation college students, offering academic and personal support.
Student Success, Room C129, Ext. 232
Responsibilities:
ACE: for students who are repeating a core college course (English, mathematics, or science) three or more
times
AWARE: for adult students desiring academic and personal support.
ESP: for students who have experienced academic difficulty and desire support to become successful
students.
SOS: for recent high school graduates in need of supplementary academic support and guidance in their
first semester of college.
Success.net, Room C129, Ext. 232
Success.net is a computerized system that allows the instructor to identify and advise the student who may be
having academic difficulties.
Testing Center, Room W124, Ext. 238
Responsibilities: Placement testing in English, mathematics, reading, health courses; make-up testing as arranged
by instructor; testing for online courses..
Transfer Center, Room C129, Ext. 307
Responsibilities: Transfer information, college visits.