ENGL 1005 Literature: A Global Perspective - Flashcards

Week 1 - Overview of ENGL 1005: Literature: A Global Perspective

Land Acknowledgement

• Recognition of Mi’kma’ki, ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
• Acknowledgment of Indigenous knowledges and traditions.
• Reference to the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed with the Crown.
• Recognition of African Nova Scotians' contributions over 400 years in Nova Scotia.
• Websites for further learning: Native Land

Writing Prompt

• Task: Meditate on an image and write your thoughts without worrying about perfection.
• Example image mentioned: “Luminous” (2022) by Nicole Raziya Fong.

The Power of Language

• Language transmits knowledge, culture, and tradition.
• It facilitates personal and communal identity reflection.
• Language connects individuals and influences communities and the world.
• Key reminder: Words matter.

Course Description

• Course Title: ENGL 1005 Literature: A Global Perspective
• Focus on contemporary authors and fostering discussion on social, political, cultural, and environmental topics through literature.
• Genres Covered: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels, and hybrid works.
• Authors Included: Yoko Ogawa, Marjane Satrapi, Dionne Brand, Rohinton Mistry, etc.
• Goal: Help students improve reading and writing skills to express complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Instructor Information

• Name: Eric Schmaltz
• Email: ens@dal.ca (response within 48 hours)
• Office: McCain 1193
• Office Hours: Mondays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am (appointments available).

Syllabus and Course Page

• Materials and resources available on Brightspace.
• Students are encouraged to check for updates regularly.

Course Structure

• Lectures: Mondays/Wednesdays, 11:35 - 12:55. Focus on key concepts, text analysis, and assignment overviews.
• Tutorials: Wednesdays (schedule provided), focused on discussion and writing practices.

Assessment Overview

• Tutorial Activities:
  • Week 3: Reading Response (3%)
  • Week 4: Writing Persuasively (3%)
  • Week 7: Annotations (3%)
  • Week 8: Theses Development (3%)
  • Week 9: MLA Formatting (3%)
• Fan Fiction Assignment: (20%) due Week 9.
• Final Paper: (30%) due Week 12.
• Final Exam: (20%) date TBD.
• Participation: (15%) ongoing throughout the course.

Key Course Policies

• Late Policy: 5 points penalty per day, no submissions accepted 7 days post deadline without prior discussion.
• Extensions: Granted on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.
• Accommodations: Necessary arrangements should be made in advance.
• Academic Integrity: Importance of honesty, trust, fairness, responsibility, and respect in all academic work. Generative AI tools are not allowed unless specified.

Classroom Community Guidelines

• Emphasis on civil and respectful discourse.
• Encouragement of diverse perspectives while maintaining an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

Course Materials

• Required texts available at the King's Co-Op Bookstore:
  • The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
  • The Complete Persepolis: Volumes 1 and 2 by Marjane Satrapi
  • Other texts will be provided on Brightspace.
• Reading Preparation: Students are expected to come prepared having read assigned materials.

What is Literature?

• Ongoing debate about what constitutes literature.
• Definition from The American Heritage Dictionary: "imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value."
• Goal: Encourage personal judgment regarding what is significant or possesses artistic value.

Reading Globally

• Examination of global literature from various cultural contexts;
• Students will encounter unfamiliar texts and must approach them with respect and openness.

Why Study Literature?

• Literary study involves examining the strategies authors use to express or challenge experiences.
• Promotes deep self-reflection and understanding of societal narratives.

Goals for the Semester

• Reading: Develop skills for careful, sensitive, and critical reading.
• Writing: Build independence and confidence in expressing complex ideas.
• Research: Learn to effectively engage with scholarly sources.