Course Overview

This course will provide students with an introduction to novels and poetry from outside of the Anglo-American literary tradition. Focusing primarily on literature translated into English from other languages, this class will allow students to consider America's place in the world and the complex legacy of colonization that shapes America's relations with other countries. Literature provides insights into how people in other cultures regard themselves and reminds us of the difficulties of translation as a bridge across varying and sometimes incommensurable cultural divides.

Objectives

Over the semester, I expect students to achieve the following goals:

• Understand and interpret texts by influential authors from a variety of literary genres and cultural origins.

• Discuss these texts in the context of a classroom discussion or smaller group discussions.

• Write convincing arguments about the meanings of these texts in examinations and the online discussion forum.

• Recall key facts about the works in question including but not limited to the date of publication, the author, the title, and general topics pertaining to the story the author tells.

Expectations

In order to accomplish this goal, students must

• Read the required books carefully

• Attend class. I expect students to show up on time and prepared to discuss the readings assigned for that day. (Please turn off cellphones before each class meeting begins.)

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of these works in three exams and through participation in an on-line discussion group.

Grade Breakdown:

Your grade will depend primarily on your written work and the understanding of the material that you convey through that work. A command of standard written English and the ability to present an argument will also contribute to the determination of your grade. Any infractions against UMD's Scholastic Dishonesty provisions in the Student Conduct Code as stated in the UMD catalogue will receive serious attention and appropriate penalties.

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might influence their capacity to perform in this class, should inform me at the start of the semester. I can make special adaptations of teaching methods, assignments, materials, or testing as required to provide for equitable participation in the course. The Access Center is also available to assist students with disabilities. It is located in the Kirby Student Center and on the web at <http://www.d.umn.edu/access>.

Required Texts

Dai Sijie. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. 2000. Trans. Ina Rilke. New York: Anchor, 2001.

Mann, Thomas. Death in Venice. 1912. Trans. Michael Henry Heim. New York: Ecco, 2004.

Márquez, Gabriel García. In Evil Hour. 1979. Trans. Gregory Rabassa. New York: HarperPerennial, 1991.

Milosz, Czeslaw, Ed. The Book of Luminous Things. New York: Harcourt, 1998.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Matigari. 1979. Trans. Wangui wa Goro. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 1998.

Oe, Kenzaburo. Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids. 1958. Trans. Paul St. John MacKintosh and Maki Sugiyama. New York: Grove, 1985.