ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221
xxxx
Office: Library Coffee Shop
E-mail: xxxx
Office Hours: M & W 11:30-1:00 p.m.

A syllabus is a contract. Your continued attendance in my class means that you have read and
understood the rules, policies, and guidelines that the syllabus details.
This syllabus is subject to revisions and changes as the professor sees necessary.
Last day to drop or withdraw from classes Friday, November 2
Final Exams - 1002 (Wed. Dec. 8a.m. to 10a.m.) - 1004 (Mon. Dec. 10 10:10a.m. to 12:10p.m.)

Web Campus: Look at the calendar and extra notes, reading materials etc, grades.
Do not contact me via Web Campus email but via my UNLV email address or during office hours.
Texts: The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Volumes A, B and C. Supplementary texts will be
uploaded onto WebCampus or made available as necessary
Course Description: 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 the Western and non-Western 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's pedagogy gives
special attention to critical thinking and writing within a framework of cultural diversity as well as
comparative and interdisciplinary analysis.
THEME: Empire Building: Students will examine the nature of empire building and the development
of unique cultural identities as revealed in the great epics. Particular attention will be given to the
nature of faith and political strife as it affects developing cultural values of the great empires in these
stories.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
Apply knowledge and skills gained from general and specialized studies to new settings and
complex problems.
Place questions or problems into meaningful contexts and demonstrate life-long learning skills.
Analyze problems, articulate questions and determine the need for information.
Use quantitative and qualitative methods (the ability to recognize assumptions, draw inferences,
make deductions, and interpret information) to analyze problems in context and draw conclusions.
Recognize complexity of problems and identify different perspectives from which problem and
questions can be viewed.
Evaluate and report on conclusions, use results to make judgments, guide actions, and identify
areas where further inquiry is needed.
Identify, analyze, and evaluate reasoning in order to construct and defend reasonable arguments
and explanations.
Experience or interpret the concept of social justice.
Demonstrate awareness of ones own place in and effect on the world.
Explore from a multi-cultural perspective the ideas of justice, community, social obligations and
individual freedoms as are defined in different ways in different cultural texts

ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221
Course Requirements: To successfully complete this course, the following work is required:
three mid-term exams, one final exam, one 5 page out of class essay, response questions and quizzes
and in class participation. Only use pens for handwritten work.
Exams will ask students to recall specifics about story and text that we discuss in class regarding
cultural aspects of the work as well as literature-base values. Definitions and discussions about ideas
will be tested. The strength of an argument as it is presented will be assessed as well. In-class
discussions and thought questions will be assigned from time to time.
COURSE GRADING: Assignments will be graded on the standard A to F system with plusses and
minuses. The Undergraduate Catalog defines the letter grades as follows:
A = Superior (100%-90%)
C = Average (79%-70%)
F = Failing (59% and below)

B = Above Average (89%-80%)

D = Below Average (69%-60%)

Answers are graded for content, completeness, and correctness. Late work is unacceptable. If you
disagree with my evaluation of an assignment and the assigned grade, I will discuss it with you.
Exam One
Exam Two
Exam Three
5 page Essay
Response papers/Quizzes
In-class Participation

100
100
100
100
TBD
10% of final point total

Attendance: Three absences is a failing grade in this class. If you miss class for any reason, you are
still responsible for the material, content of the class and for assignments given for the next class. You
should get notes from other students. Students who miss class because of university-sanctioned events
must present a letter on university letterhead, signed by their coach or advisor explaining the absence.
Lateness: Your punctual arrival is expected at every class. If you arrive more than five minutes late,
you will be marked as late. Late entry will negatively affect your grade.
Emergency Due Date Extension: If illness or emergency circumstances will prevent you from
completing an assignment by its due date, contact me before the due date to request an extension.
Participation (10% of total points): Your participation grade will be determined by your
performance in class discussions, quizzes, in class writings, assigned essays and exams. A clear and
comprehensive understanding of the material we will be studying is extremely difficult without
participation in class. Those who do participate by in large do better on the exams and quizzes.
Class Conduct: You are expected to behave courteously and professionally in your interactions with
your peers and with me. Please remember that the classroom is not the place for taking naps,
conversing with friends, checking voice mail, or working on assignments for other classes. Turn off
cell phones and pagers during class time. A cell phone or pager going off during class will negatively
affect your grade.

ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221
Quizzes: There will be periodic, announced and unannounced quizzes on the readings and other class
material. They will count as approximately 100 points (roughly equal to one exam). If you miss them
you may not make them up. This is true for in-class response papers as well.
The only exceptions to this rule are:

A student who misses a quiz because of a university-sanctioned event and has an excuse on
university letterhead, signed by their coach or advisor, that explains the absence. This student will
not make up the quiz, but the quiz will not be recorded as a zero.
A student who misses a quiz because of observance of a religious holiday. This student must have
notified me no later than July 9 of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays that do not
fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This student will not make up the quiz, but the quiz
will not be recorded as a zero.

Academic Misconduct Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus
community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness,
responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the
expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to
always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves
in a manner compatible with UNLVs function as an educational institution.
An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another,
from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Academic
Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at:
http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.
Copyright The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize
themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely
responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor
defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws.
Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability,
as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be found at:
http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.
Disability Resource Center (DRC) The Disability Resource Center (DRC) determines
accommodations that are reasonable in promoting the equal access of a student reporting a disability
to the general UNLV learning experience.
In so doing, the DRC also balances instructor and
departmental interests in maintaining curricular standards so as to best achieve a fair evaluation
standard amongst students being assisted. In order for the DRC to be effective it must be considered in
the dialog between the faculty and the student who is requesting accommodations. For this reason
faculty should only provide students course adjustment after having received this Academic
Accommodation Plan. If faculty members have any questions regarding the DRC, they should call a
DRC counselor.
UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSCA), Room 143, phone (702) 895-0866, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit:
http://drc.unlv.edu/.

ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221
Religious Holidays Policy -- Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or
lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester
to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the
responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day of late registration of his
or her intention to participate in religious holidays that do not fall on state holidays or periods of class
recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate
time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university that could have been avoided.
For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=164.
Tutoring -- The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all
UNLV students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more
about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from
the Student Services Complex, #22 on the current UNLV map. Students may learn more about tutoring
services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at:
http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/.
UNLV Writing Center
One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the
Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available,
students with appointments will receive priority assistance.
Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The students Rebel ID Card, a copy of
the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the
consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/
Rebelmail By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail
is UNLVs Official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official
university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and
announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the
university. Students e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu.

ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221

Aug 27

Introduction to Class- Syllabus, primary themes and terms pre

Gilgamesh (start a track heroes, gods, nature, women, cultural
transition, the poet, the poets world the difference between the
time being described and the poets time.)

Aug 29

Gilgamesh Tablets

Sept 3

pp. 99-151A
HOLIDAY

Sept 5

Homer: The Iliad: Book 1 (The Trojan War)

pp. 230-245 A

Sept 10

Homer: The Odyssey: Books 1-3 (home front stories)

pp. 332-364 A

Sept 12

Homer: The Odyssey: Books 9-13 (Odysseus final tests and

Nostos as a transformed hero)

pp. 426-488 A

Sept 17

Greek Theatre, The House of Atreus - Aeschylus (Father of

Tragedy 525-456 B.C.E.) Agamemnon

pp. 655-701 A

Sept 19

The House of Thebes - Sophocles: (496 to 406 B.C.E.)

Oedipus the King (The Theban Trilogy)

pp. 707-747 A

Sept 24

Medea and Jason and the Argonauts - Euripedes (480-406

B.C.E.) The Medea

pp. 786-822 A

Sept 26

EXAM 1

Oct 1

Islam Empires

Oct 3

Selected Suras from the Quran (SKIP JOSEPH PASSAGE)

Ibn Ishaq: From the Biography of the Prophet

Oct 8

Cont. with student presentations re: the last reading.

Oct 10

1001 Nights

Oct 15

MID SEMESTER Grades October 15

Hinduism and texts Valmiki: The Ramayana [Books 2]
The Ramayana [Books 3, & 6] Paper Assigned

Oct 17

Cont. of Ramayana (Books 3 & 6)

Oct 22

Mahabharata: from Book 2 (The Friendly Game of Dice)

pp. 74-97 B
pp. 99-106 B

pp. 556-581 B

pp. 1176-1186 A
pp. 1187-1202 &
pp. 1226-1234 A

pp. 1247-1258 A

ENGLISH 231World Literature I Fall 2012

MW 8:30-9:45 (231-1002) CBC C225 Mon and Wed 10:00-11:15 (231-1004) BEH C221
Oct 24
Mahabharata: B Gita
pp. 1285-1301 A
Oct 29

Buddhism: The Life of Buddha and texts

Oct 31

Heart Sutra

On Web Campus

Nov 5

Tales of the Heike

pp. 1289-1311 B

Nov 7

EXAM 2

Nov 12

HOLIDAY

Nov 14

The Dark Ages - Paper Due

Nov 19

Alighieri Dante: Inferno, Cantos 1-5 Canto 8

Nov 21

Dantes Inferno Project: Before and After the city of Dis

Nov 26

Cantos 1-5 and 8

Alighieri Dante: Inferno, Cantos 18, 20, 26, and 34

pp. 450-453
pp. 457-460
pp. 478-482
pp. 508-511 B

Nov 28

Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales: The General Prologue

pp. 662-681 C

Dec 3

The Pardoners Prologue & Tale

The Wife of Bath Prologue & Tale

pp. 709-724
pp. 682-709

Dec 5

Don Quixote Prologue and Chapters 1-4

What has changed from Achilles (Iliad) to Don Quixote?

pp. 386-408 C

Dec 10
Dec 12

EXAM 3 8:30-9:45 Wed 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

EXAM 3 10:00-11:15 Mon 10:10 a.m. -12:10 p.m.

pp. 391-409,
pp.415-418 B