Time Schedule:
Sima Daad
C LIT 240
Seattle Campus
Comparative approach to literature and a workshop in writing comparative papers in English. Emphasis on cross-cultural comparison of literary works. Readings in English with an option to read selected texts in the original languages Offered: AWSp.
Class description
Writing about Literature: Lolita in Tehran
This writing course is structured around women in a select body of literary texts and films by Persian- and English-speaking authors, including the 2003 New York Times bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran. The overall aim is to develop skills for bringing disparate worlds and ideas into conversation, through analytical reading and writing. Because of its original connection with novels by Anglo-American authors--including Nabokov’s Lolita--, Reading Lolita in Tehran presents an original example of thinking and writing in a comparative mode. The course is conducted through short presentations and seminar discussions. In the first part of the quarter, students will learn to use literary language and undertake textual analysis, and they will write a 4-5-page essay demonstrating these skills. In the remainder of the quarter they will write two additional 4-5-page essays; the third essay will be comparative (comparing two literary texts and/or films that we have studied). Course evaluation is based on the three written assignments, a mid-term exam, class participation and individual presentations.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Required Texts 1. Lolita by Nabokov 2. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi 3. Elements of Literature (I need to locate the exact title) 4. Films: Two Women by Tahmineh Milani; Offside by Ja’far Panahi. 5. A Course Reader: critical essays, literary criticism, select pieces of fiction and poetry.
On Reserve 1. M. H. Abrams. A Glossary of Literary Terms (9th edition) 2. Films: Ja’far Panahi, The White Baloon 3. Tahmineh Milani, The Ceasefire
Methods of Evaluation
A. Class participation and presentations 20% B. Mid-term exam 20% C. Three essays (4-5 pages each) 60%
