ENG1040: Composition and Classics of World Literature
Spring 2011
TTh 12:15—1:30pm, Cuvilly 23
Lab: Thursday 2:00pm/3:00pm, WC
(Lab taught by Randy Johnson)
Instructor: Kate Smith
Phone: 650.508.3670
Email (preferred): kesmith@ndnu.edu
Website: www.smithkate.com
Course Description:
In this course we will explore great works of world literature from Antiquity, the Middle
Ages, and the Renaissance, which will give you the opportunity to witness the
progression of human beliefs, perceptions and attitudes during this period of roughly
4000 years. We will examine the historical contexts in which these works were created,
as well as changes in the currents of human perception, philosophy and values they
reflect. You will also improve your ability to think critically about literature, basing your
interpretations on close textual observation, and refining your ability to write literary
interpretations in clear and well-organized essays.
Course Objectives:
 To introduce the formative classics of pre-modern western literature
 To introduce the masterpieces of classic literature from around the world
 To analyze how literature shapes national identity in a variety of cultures
 To develop critical thinking skills for a variety of literary genres
 To examine the historical significance of literature in human culture
 To explore universal human struggles and emotions represented in literature
Textbook:
The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter (V1). 2nd edition, 2009.
Reading and Assignment Schedule
The full reading and assignment schedule for this semester will be posted online and
handed out in class on Tuesday, January 18. Your first assignment, in preparation for
January 18, is to read pages 3 – 45 in the textbook, which includes the introduction,
timeline, and The Epic of Gilgamesh up through Tablet V.
Papers/ Major Assignments:
There are three required essays and one oral presentation in this course. All papers are
due at the beginning of the class for which they are assigned, and late papers will
not be accepted except in extraordinary circumstances. Re-writes that substantially
revise the paper, after a consultation with me, are allowed, and the before and after grade
will be averaged into your final grade. It is incumbent upon you to keep an electronic
version of all out of class papers submitted for this class.
Grading Standards for Essays:
Excellent (A) essays should possess the following attributes:
 Content: Insightful thesis that informs the entire paper; effective introduction
and concluding paragraphs; sufficient evidence to support assertions.
 Organization: Strong paragraphing (topic sentences, effective transitions);
effective order of arguments.
 Grammar, Mechanics, Language: No major grammatical errors (run-on
sentences, fragments, etc.); few serious mechanical flaws (punctuation,
apostrophes, spelling, etc.); strong diction (active verbs, vocabulary, no cliché’s)
and syntax (sentence structure); proper manuscript format.
Writing Center Labs:
Each week, students are required to attend one of two writing labs (Thursdays 2pm and
3pm), which will be taught by Randy Johnson, in the Writing Center. These workshops
will involve you in writing that is directly related to our class. Attendance will be taken,
and missing a lab is tantamount to missing a class period. Any assignments given in
preparation for or during a lab will be counted in the same way as assignments for any
regular class period. If both of these labs conflict with your schedule, you must
enroll in a different section of this class with a lab you will be able to attend.
Attendance and Participation:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class. You must come prepared,
having completed the reading(s) and/or writing(s) assigned for that day. From time to
time, there will be short quizzes on the reading assignments. More than two unexcused
absences will adversely affect your grade, and more than four unexcused absences will
result in your being dropped from the course. Only required athletic events and physical
emergencies requiring hospitalization are excusable. Three tardies equal one absence.
Final Grades will be determined in the following manner:

Three Essays and One Oral Presentation: 50%

Midterm: 10%

Final: 15%

Class and Lab Attendance, Participation, and Quizzes: 25%
Please note: In conjunction to the percentages given above, failure to complete a major
requirement, such an essay, the Writing Center lab requirement, or an exam will have a
devastating effect on your grade.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism:
Academic honesty is a cornerstone of our values at NDNU. If any words or ideas used in
an assignment submission do not represent your original words or ideas, you must cite
all relevant sources and make clear the extent to which such sources were used. Words or
ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic
publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when
the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. Please
consult the handbook for consequences related to plagiarism.
Students with Academic Challenges:
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NDNU makes every responsible effort to provide appropriate
accommodations and assistance to students with disabilities. Students with learning
disabilities who request accommodations must schedule an appointment with the PASS
Coordinator at the beginning of each semester. Contact Dr. Peggy Koshland-Crane at
650-508-3670 and/or email: mcrane@ndnu.edu.
ENG1040: Composition and Classics of World Literature
Spring 2011
Kate Smith
Reading and Assignment Schedule*
Jan.
18: Read Introduction and The Epic of Gilgamesh Tablets I—V, pp. 3—45
20: Read The Epic of Gilgamesh Tablets VI—XI, pp. 45—81
25: Read “Ancient Greece...” and “Homer,” pp. 161—75, and Homer’s The
Odyssey Books I & II, pp. 274—95
27: Read The Odyssey Books IX—X, pp. 370—97
Feb.
1: Read The Odyssey Books XI—XII, pp. 397—424, and Books XVII—XVIII, pp.
471—96.
3: Read The Odyssey Books XXI—XXIII, pp. 520—51.
8: Rough Draft of First Essay Due for In-class Peer Review.
10: Read Sophocles’ introduction and Oedipus the King, pp. 570—97 (up to “Enter
Jocasta...”). Final Draft of First Essay due.
15: Finish Oedipus the King, pp. 597—614.
17: Read “Poetry and Thought in Early China” and “Classics of Poetry,” pp. 677—
92.
22: Read Confucius’ introduction and Analects, pp. 692—703.
24: Read “India’s Heroic Age” and The Ramayana of Valmiki introduction, Book
2 “Ayodhya” and Book 3 “Aranya,” pp. 715—54.
Mar.
1: Rough Draft of Second Essay Due for In-class Peer Review.
3: Midterm Exam. Final Draft of Second Essay due.
7—11: Spring Break
15: Read Ovid’s introduction and Metamorphoses, Books I & II pp. 840—56.
17: Read Metamorphoses Books V—X pp. 857—81.
22: Read The Thousand and One Nights, pp. 1049—73.
24: Read Marie de France’s introduction, “Lanval,” and “Laustic,” pp. 1195—1205,
and accompanying handouts.
29: Read Shikibu’s introduction and The Tale of Genji Chapters 2, 4 & 12, pp.
1432—99.
31: Read The Tale of Genji Chapters 13 & 25, pp. 1499—526.
Apr.
5: Rough Draft of Third Essay Due for In-class Peer Review.
7: Read Shakespeare’s introduction and Hamlet, Act I, pp. 1778—803. Final
Draft of Third Essay due.
12: Read Hamlet, Acts II & III, pp. 1803—40.
14: Read Hamlet, Act IV, pp. 1840—56.
19: Read Hamlet, Act V, pp. 1857—72.
21: Rough Draft of Oral Presentation Due for In-class Peer Review.
(Apr.) 27: Oral Presentations
29: Oral Presentations
May
2—6: Final Exam week (date/time TBA)
*Schedule is subject to change. Assignment additions and/or changes will be
announced in class, via your student.ndnu email, and on my website.