Course Planning
CURRICULUM DESIGN
It is important to begin with the general course objectives stated on the World Literature homepage. Instructors are encouraged to incorporate materials related to their strongest knowledge and personal interests to the extent that these subserve the general course objectives. At the same time instructors, no matter how experienced, are encouraged to explore in every World Literature course areas and works less familiar to them. It is acceptable to narrow the focus by concentrating on a particular theme so long as the course provides also a broad framework of cultural history in which to read the works. Some instructors may prefer a broader focus in which the themes emerge from and characterize the cultures studied.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
To provide balance, all syllabi should include 1) works originally written in English, 2) works not originally written in English, 3) works by women, and 4) works by members of non-Western cultures or by members of minority groups within Western culture.
To provide a framework of cultural history, it is common at Auburn to structure World Literature courses around the cultural history of the West with excursive explorations of works from one or more non-Western cultures, though those with appropriate expertise might choose to make another cultural tradition central to their courses. For Western-centered courses the World Literature Committee recommends representation from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods for World Literature I (ENGL 2200) and from the enlightenment, nineteenth century, and twentieth century for World Literature II (ENGL 2210). The amount of reading for any class should not exceed what would take most students about two hours to read carefully.
BOOKS
About one-fourth of our instructors order separate texts for their World Literature courses; most use one the anthologies offered by major academic publishers. The most recent of these is The Longman Anthology of World Literature. Others include The Norton Anthology of World Literature, The Bedford Anthology of World Literature, and The Harper Collins World Reader. The publishers generally provide the Department examination copies, which are available in 9030 Haley Center. Books for all English Department classes are ordered centrally by Jean Joiner in 9030 Haley Center. In the second half of each semester instructors are asked to complete the electronic book ordering form for the following semester.
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
Instructors may establish a collection of readings for particular classes at the Draughon Library either in print RESERVES or in E-RESERVES. For additional information on e-reserves contact Jon Brasher at 844-1730.
Another means of providing readings is a print or digital COURSE PACKET, which students can buy together with their books. This involves delivering, well before the packet is to be made available, a copy of the materials together with precise source information to the bookstore, which produces and sells the packets after securing permissions from the publishers. For information check the AU Bookstore or call Kim Hawkins at 844-2351. Reading materials can be transmitted also in WebCT.
Questions about this page
Last updated August 22, 2005