Time Schedule:
Jennifer E. Dubrow
C LIT 323
Seattle Campus
Novels and short stories, from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Discusses relationship of Western literary genres to an oral literary tradition, as well as issues like colonialism, gender relations, narrative technique, native and non-native languages.
Class description
Literature of South Asia: A Thousand and One Narrators
"What is found here is to be found elsewhere too... but what is not found here is to be found nowhere." -The Mahabharata, Adi Parva
This course considers masterpieces of story literature from India and surrounding regions, with focus on The Mahabharata, A Tale of Four Dervishes, and The Arabian Nights. Each of these texts has had wide influence on Eastern and Western literatures and continues to inspire rich performance and literary traditions today. We will discuss the impact of indigenous and external sources on the major texts, their treatment of universal themes such as curiosity and fate, and narrative theory and structure. No prior knowledge is assumed, and all works will be read in English translation.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lecture and discussion.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
