“Tribal: that’s what
they called human from ethnic groups too remote and “uncivilized” to regularly
send students to attend Oomza Uni”
(Okorafor 82).
For your final exam, I
want you to propose a new name for the course currently known as “Non-Western
Literature.” As Okorafor suggests, this title keeps thousands of years of
literature in hundreds of countries classified as “tribal” rather than placing
it on an equal footing with other Western works of literature (Shakespeare,
etc.). So without replacing the class (since we still need to study these works
in-depth), how could you change the name and/or focus of the course to remove
the “tribal” designation?
Your essay should propose
a new name that captures another aspect of the class, its themes, ideas, or
identities. Then choose 2-3 works from class that you can use to support this
title/theme. Explain how these works would complement the course theme, and
illustrate specific aspects of it. You must focus on at least 2 works from our
class, though you can also suggest works we didn’t read/discuss as part of your
new idea.
Remember, your title can
be simple and descriptive, just like “Non-Western Literature” itself, or it can
be specific and thematic, like “Literature of Diverse Women Exploring Their
Identities” (don’t use this one). You also don’t need a title/class that uses
all of the books in our class…your title can exclude certain books, but must
include at least 2-3 from our class.
CHOOSE ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING OPTIONS:
In-Class Option: You will
come to class on Friday, December 14th @ 9:00 and write an exam on the above topic. Bring the
2-3 books you want to use in your paper with you. I will expect slightly less
polish on this exam and it will have a shorter length requirement.
Take-Home Option: You will
write this essay at home and turn it in no later than Friday, December 14th
by noon . No late papers will be accepted. I will expect a
little more polish on this work, and it must be at least four full pages double
spaced. You may e-mail me the exam at jgrasso@ecok.edu.
