EH 207: World Literature
Interim term, 1998
Room: MR 305
MWTRF, 12:00-3:00
Dr. William A. Ulmer
Office: MR 209, 8-4644
EH Dept: 8-5065
WUlmer@english.as.ua.edu

Course Description: Survey of world literature from the Classical period to the early modern period. 3 Credit Hours. Core Curriculum H. Prerequisites: EH 101, EH 102 or 103

Course Objectives: To provide an introductory perspective on the literary canon of western civilization from Homer to the Renaissance.

Texts: Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, 6th ed., vol. 1

Syllabus (Note: read all introductions to assigned authors):

5/18 Introduction to course

19 Homer: Iliad Books 1-9 (*Book 3). For Iliad also read

the brief plot summaries in the text.

20 Iliad 16*, 18-24

21 Odyssey 1, 4-5, 9-12 (review Homer Intro. on Odyssey)

22 Odyssey 19-24

25 Sophocles: Oedipus the King

26 Euripides: Medea.

27 Midterm Exam

28 Virgil: Aeneid Books 1-8 (read all plot summaries)

29 Plato: *Symposium. The Old Testament: Genesis (all

selections); New Testament (all selections); General Intro.

in Norton, pp. 2-4

6/1 Dante: Inferno Cantos 1, 5, 9-10, 26-27, 34; Purgatorio,

from Canto 19 to end

6/2 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

6/3 Montaigne:"Inconsistency" and "Apology for Raimond Sebond.11

Cervantes: Don Quixote (pp. 1823-1827, 1845-1860, 1902-1908)
Shakespeare: Hamlet, Acts 1-3

6/4 Hamlet, Acts 4-5; course evaluations

6/5 Final Exam

Work Requirements: Daily reading quizzes on Introductions, primary texts, and material in footnotes (15% of class grade); Midterm and Final exams (40% apiece); participation (5%). Reading quizzes consisting of 10 questions will be given at the beginning of class and questions, once asked, will not be repeated--so there is a reason beyond simple courtesy for arriving on time for class. Quizzes missed due to absence (for whatever reason) will be entered as 01s, but everyone's lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Make-up exams will be given only when justified (verifiable illness or family emergency) and for unavoidable reasons will be more difficult than the original exam. As currently envisioned, the exams will consist of a matching section and several essay questions. Students will be penalized for dramatically incompetent writing and should strictly avoid Cliff or Monarch notes. Some reading assignments may strike you as long, so look over assignments in advance and budget your time.

Grading: Quizzes will be graded from 1 to 10 and the total pts. earned computed as a percentage at the end of the term. You will receive numerical grades on both exams. For final course grades, numbers will be translated into plus-minus letter grades as follows: 100-93 = A, 92-90 = A-, 89-87 = B+, 86-84 = 2, 83-80= B-, 79-77 = C+, 76-74 = C, 73-70 = C-, 69-67 = D+, 66-64 = D, 6360 = D-, 59 and lower = F.

Office Hours: by appointment. You can usually catch me (without an appointment) before class in MR 209, but I will ordinarily be available briefly after class as well.

Attendance Policy: I concur with the University of Alabama Catalog in regarding class attendance as an academic matter. 1 absence allowed; 3% will be deducted from the final course grade for every absence after the first. Given the 3-week duration of this course and the greater importance of every class, excessive absenteeism during Interim is particularly unacceptable.

Academic Misconduct: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

Disability Access: To request disability accommodations, please see Disability Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with Disability Services, please contact me.

Additional Requirements: Students are expected to observe the usual courtesies and are responsible for all information presented in class--not merely the lectures and discussion, but also announcements about class policies, tests, and assignments. If you want to challenge a grade, do so promptly or not at all. If need arises, you can leave a note for me in my departmental box (MR 103), but please be advised than I ordinarily cannot return students' calls. Grades will not be posted or given out over the phone.

Academic Advice: EH 207 is an introduction to culturally foundational texts. For such a course, my emphasis in testing falls on a student's knowledge and understanding of the material as presented in class. Your first concern in taking my exams should be to replicate your class notes as exactly and thoroughly as possible; personal insights should complement rather than substitute for perspectives developed in the classroom. For students concerned about grades, the need for accurate assimilation of and detailed familiarity with classroom material cannot be stressed too much.