IGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

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LIT200ZA(文学 / Literature 200)
Comparative Literature

Gregory KHEZRNEJAT

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school IGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)
Attached documents
Year 2021
Class code A6202
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 春学期授業/Spring
Day/Period 木5/Thu.5
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name
Grade 2~4
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes)
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Category General Education Courses/総合教育科目
Global Open Program/グローバルオープン科目
Faculty Sponsored Department Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

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Outline and objectives

What is world literature? Why do some books become global bestsellers while others are deemed untranslatable? How does literature relate to other forms of art such as movies or music? This course will introduce the fundamental issues of modern comparative literary studies, including national canons, world literature, translation, and adaptation. We will discuss how comparing works with other texts across genres, languages, time periods, or forms of media can give us a fuller understanding of not only the text itself, but also how systems of literature combine to influence our impression of the text.

Goal

Students will practice critical reading and writing while learning the basic approaches used in comparative literary studies. Students will examine the historical development of comparative literature as a field while utilizing comparative methodology to read and respond to selected texts.

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

Classes will be divided roughly evenly between lectures and guided discussions. Short quizzes will be given to assess comprehension of weekly readings. Students will also be evaluated through a midterm examination and final paper. In-class feedback will be given for daily reaction papers, and students will receive personal feedback on written assignments. Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, 70% of this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, 50% will be held on campus.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1:Introduction

Introduction of course content and selection exam

2:What is Comparative Literature?

Basic definitions of the field

3:Interliterary Theory

Relationships between national and world literature canons

4:Literature and Colonialism (1)

Colonialism and the world literature system

5:Literature and Colonialism (2)

Postcolonial voices in world literature

6:World Literature (1)

Development of the concept of world literature

7:World Literature (2)

The role of world literature today

8:Review and Midterm Examination

A review of topics covered in the first half of the course

9:Themes and Images (1)

Relationships between language and interpretation

10:Themes and Images (2)

Specific examples of themes and images used in literature

11:Literature and Translation (1)

The invisibility of translation

12:Literature and Translation (2)

"Untranslatable" literature

13:Interartistic Comparison

Modernity, hypertextuality, and the relationship between literature and other forms of media

14:Final Synthesis

Review major themes of the course

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Students are expected to perform close readings of weekly reading assignments and prepare to actively engage in class discussions. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Textbooks

Readings will be provided as handouts in class.

References

Domínguez, César, et al. Introducing Comparative Literature: New Trends and Applications. Routledge, 2015.
Hutchinson, Ben. Comparative Literature: A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press, 2018.

Grading criteria

Class contribution (30%), quizzes (20%), midterm examination (25%), final paper (25%)

Changes following student comments

None.

Prerequisite

None.