World Literature
Mrs. Goff
michelle_goff@jcsd.k12.ms.us
mrsgoff105.weebly.com
Fourth Nine Weeks
Students will interpret and compare world literatures as a study of representative works of world
literature from Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. The course emphasizes the study and
consideration of the literary, cultural, and human significance of selected great works of literary
traditions. An important goal of the class is to promote an understanding of the works in their
cultural/historical and political contexts and of the enduring human values, which unite the different
literary traditions. The course gives special attention to critical thinking and writing within a framework
of cultural diversity as well as comparative and interdisciplinary analysis.
I.
Introduction to Course
a. What is World Literature?
II. Comparative Readings
a. The Epic of Gilgamesh
b. Noah and the Flood
c. Job
III. The Many Faces of the Hero - Mythology
a. What makes a hero?
b. The Trojan War Heroes
c. “The Death of Hector” from the Iliad
IV. The Art of Translation
a. Cracking the Maya Code
b. from the Popol Vuh
V. Reading Historical Documents
a. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the United Nations
b. “Address Upon Release from Prison” by Nelson Mandela
VI. Novel Unit – Literature Circles
Grades:
10% - Homework
20% - Response Logs
50% - Tests/Essays
20% - Exam (comprehensive)
All essays will be submitted electronically through my website. This will allow me to check for plagiarism
as well as to eliminate having to pay to print.
All essays will be typed using MLA (Modern Language Association) format. Any paper submitted not
following this format will not be graded.
Response Log Requirements:
This is for the novels as well as the in-class readings. You are required to write daily. This will
NOT leave class as I will grade them periodically with NO forewarning. Make sure to include the date in
the top left-hand corner of each entry. Include the title of the literary piece you are responding to as
you will have different works (your in-class novel, your out-of-class novel, and the various pieces will
read).
As you read, write your personal response in your Literature Log. State your feelings, thoughts,
reactions, and questions about situations, ideas, actions, characters, settings, symbols, plots, themes,
and any other elements in the story. You can’t be wrong in your responses, so take risks and be honest.
Write about what you like and dislike, what seems confusing or unusual to you. Tell what you think
something means. Make predictions about what might happen later. Relate your personal experiences
which connect with the plot, characters, or setting. Don’t just summarize the plot. Let me hear your
voice.
Below are listed some starters. These starters are simply suggestions for you to use. Remember,
your Response Log is a place to record your reactions and questions, not a place to summarize what
you’ve read. Sometimes a summary will be necessary to get your point across. After you read the
selection, ask yourself these questions. Decide which would make the best entry for your Response Log.
You may certainly use other ideas of your own. Support your entries with what you are feeling as you
read your book. Doing this will help you get the MOST from your book.
Starters:
I wonder what this means…
I really don’t understand this part…
I really like/dislike this idea because…
This character reminds me of somebody I know because…
This character reminds me of me because…
I think this setting is important because…
This scene reminds me of a similar scene in (title of book/movie) because…
I like/dislike this writing because…
This part is very realistic/unrealistic because…
I think the relationship between ________ and _________ is interesting because…
I like/dislike (name of character) because…
This situation reminds me of a similar situation in my own life.
It happened when the character I most admire is _________ because If I were (name of character) at
this point, I would…
What you liked or disliked and why…
What you wish had happened…
What you wish the author had included…
Your opinion of the characters…
What you felt as you read…
What you noticed when you read…
Materials:
One inch binder
Pen/pencils
Paper
One-Subject spiral notebook
Dictionary
One pack of copy paper
box of tissue
antibacterial wipes
germX
Required Independent Reading Text:
You may select one of the following to read outside of class. This is required and must complete on or
prior to May 15, 2015. NO late submissions accepted. At the conclusion of class, you will receive a zero
if your reading assignment is not complete. In addition to your response log, you will write a response
to your novel of choice. The response paper is to provide your opinion of the novel you read; the impact
it has had on literature; and a comparison to a current event. You MUST follow MLA guidelines. This
paper can be formative or informative having NO LESS than five well-written paragraphs. Again, you
may submit PRIOR to the deadline.
Books:
A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
Les Miserables Victor Hugo
Crime and Punishment Fydor Dostoyevsky
The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck
1984 George Orwell
The Kite Runner Khalid Hosseini
The House of Spirits Isabel Allende
One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez
All Quiet on the Western Front Erich Maria Remarque
The Count of Monte Cristo Alexander Dumas
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
You may also search the 100 World Literature must read book list if you do you find a selection
above. Book selections must be submitted no later than the first Friday of this class.
Guidelines and Consequences
RESPECT – You are to respect everyone, including yourself.
No inappropriate or obscene language – stupid, retarded, moron, or profane words
Handbook compliance – adhere to all guidelines set forth in the handbook (cell phones, gum, etc.)
After your first infraction, you will receive a warning.
After your second infraction, you will receive a yellow card.
If your infraction is of a severe nature, such as “cussing out” a classmate or the teacher, you will be
removed immediately.
REMINDER: Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated! Your education is at stake.
This is a tentative syllabus and is subject to change, so your attendance to class is imperative.