World Literature A. Syllabus. Course Overview. Course Goals. General Skills

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Pearl Newman
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1 Syllabus World Literature A Course Overview World literature is the study of written works and masterpieces from around the globe. This course emphasizes themes found across a variety of cultures and historical timelines. The literature often transcends time and has application and significance beyond its language of origin and cultural region. World literature allows you to connect with others through common human experiences and helps you understand the political, economic, and religious forces that influenced authors and readers throughout history. Course Goals By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following: Determine the purpose of creation myths and folktales. Interpret and respond to African literature. Respond to Mesopotamian literature and culture both orally and in writing. Gain an overview of ancient Greek literature and thought. Analyze examples of Roman literature. Describe key elements of classical Indian literature. Analyze the structure, imagery, and themes of Chinese poetry. Understand the historical and cultural influences on the development of Japanese literature. Identify the oral and written traditions in Persian and Arabic literatures. General Skills To participate in this course, you should be able to do the following: Complete basic operations with word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Perform online research using various search engines and library databases. Some course readings may require a visit to the school library or public library. For a complete list of general skills that are required for participation in online courses, refer to the Prerequisites section of the Plato Student Orientation document, found at the beginning of this course EDMENTUM, INC.

2 Credit Value World Literature A is a 0.5-credit course. Course Materials Notebook Computer with Internet connection and speakers or headphones Microsoft Word or equivalent Course Pacing Guide This course description and pacing guide is intended to help you keep on schedule with your work. Note that your course instructor may modify the schedule to meet the specific needs of your class. Day Activity/Objective Type Syllabus and Plato Student Orientation Review the Plato Student Orientation and Course Syllabus at the beginning of this course. World Myths and Folktales Infer different cultural values from creation myths. Determine the purpose of creation myths. Identify words borrowed from other cultures. Analyze symbols of good and evil. Recognize the literary devices imagery, repetition, allegory, and personification. Compare and contrast creation myths. Write a paper to elaborate and demonstrate skills in composition, written expression, and usage and mechanics. African Literary Tradition Part I Gain an overview of the traditional literatures of the African continent, including ancient Egyptian literature, and identify literary and cultural contributions of principal African civilizations. Recognize the function and importance of the oral tradition in African literature from antiquity through modern times. Interpret and respond to African literature. Identify techniques for writing nonfiction. Plan and write nonfiction introductions. Course Orientation 2

3 days: African Literary Tradition Part II Analyze an oral epic from Old Mali. Identify the characteristics of the epic. Distinguish four types of context clues that help determine word meaning. Be able to recount the life story of a disadvantaged hero and consider the reasons for stories of such a hero to be popular. Explore the theme of heroism. Ancient Middle East Gain an overview of Mesopotamian culture, philosophy, and history. Read excerpts from a Mesopotamian epic, and determine the epic s themes and the characteristics of its hero. Respond to Mesopotamian literature and culture both orally and in writing. Analyze episodes from a Mesopotamian epic. Recognize and analyze the qualities of an epic hero. Greek Literature Part I Gain an overview of ancient Greek literature and thought. Recognize the influence of ancient Greece on modern Western civilization. Analyze the Greek Play Oedipus Rex. Understand the composition of ancient Greek plays. Identify dramatic irony. Greek Literature Part II Analyze the Greek play Oedipus Rex. Understand the composition of ancient Greek plays. Identify dramatic irony. Midterm Assessment 3

4 8 days: Roman Literature Gain an overview of ancient Roman literature and civilization. Analyze examples of Roman literature. Interpret and respond to Roman literature. Recognize the place of Virgil in Roman literature, and distinguish the characteristics of the ancient Roman epic. Identify and interpret external and internal conflicts. Write an essay comparing and contrasting Aeneas with another epic hero. Analyze an epic simile. Indian Literature Gain an overview of classical Indian literature. Appreciate the Hindu concepts of dharma, karma, the caste system, and reincarnation and their influence on Indian culture. Interpret and respond to Indian literature. Chinese Literature Gain an overview of classical Chinese literature. Analyze the structure, imagery, and themes of Chinese poetry. Analyze the main ideas of Chinese maxims, anecdotes, and biographies. Interpret and respond to Chinese literature. Japanese Literature Gain an understanding of Japanese literature and of the historical and cultural influences on its development. Interpret examples of Japanese poetry, prose, and drama. Analyze the characteristics of Japanese tanka poetry, and interpret tanka. Analyze the qualities and elements of haiku and interpret poems. Persian and Arabic Literature Part I Gain an introduction to Persian (Farsi) and Arabic literatures. Recognize how Islam has shaped culture and literature in the Middle East. Identify the oral and written traditions in Persian and Arabic literatures. Interpret and respond to Persian and Arabic literatures. 4

5 Persian and Arabic Literature Part II Recognize Rumi s place in Persian literature, and interpret a poem by Rumi. Identify and explain analogies used in poetry. Recognize Saadi s place in Persian literature, and analyze anecdotes and aphorisms. Identify the literary uses of anecdotes and aphorisms. Semester Review Final Exam Assessment 5

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