GEK1040: Why Literature?

Dr Philip Holden (email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg)

[ Introduction and Description | Schedule and Readings | Assessment and Policies | Related Resources ]

SCHEDULE 2003 - 2004 Semester 1

Week	Beg.	Class (Date)	Topic	Reading	Assignments
Setting the Scene
1	11/8	1	MAPPING THE FIELD	Preparing for our introductory class	IVLE Discussion 1 (optional)
Unit 1: Introduction to Critical Reading
2	18/8	2	PROSE FICTION	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 2
3	25/8	3	DRAMA	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 3
4	1/9	4	POETRY	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 4
Unit Two: Why Study Literature?
5	8/9	5	HUMANISM	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion Assignment 1 Due
6	15/9	6	CANONS AND CANONICITY	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 6
7	22/9	7	POLITICS (1): QUESTIONING	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 7
8	29/9	8	POLITICS (2): TEACHING	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 8 Project Proposal Due
9	6/10	9	BEYOND LITERATURE: CULTURAL STUDIES	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 9
Unit Three: Histories
10	13/10	10	LITERATURE UNDER COLONIALISM	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 10 Quiz on Unit 2 (In-Class)
11	20/10	11	LITERATURE AND THE NEW NATION	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 11
12	27/10	12	LITERATURE TODAY, AND LITERATURE'S FUTURES	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 12
13	3/11	13	CONCLUDING DISCUSSION	Readings and Preparatory Questions	IVLE Discussion 13
15	10/11	Revision Week: Project Due Monday 10 November
16	15/11	NUS Examination Period There is no final examination in the module
17	22/11

Readings

Most of the listed readings are available in the GEK1040 Course Pack, from NUS Co-op, Forum Branch. Some texts are available online, or in the workbin on the module's IVLE site. Follow the links for each individual class meeting The remainder are available online. Note what while the pack's cost is a little more than if you were to copy everything yourself, your extra money is going as copyright payments to individual authors: this is particularly important in the Singapore context, where many writers struggle to survive in a small market, and have to take on other jobs in order to make ends meet! Think of the pack as a set book, and you'll realise that it is not overly expensive.

Remember also to budget to attend the performance of a play in mid-September. I will try to obtain a small subsidy, and would anticipate the price being $40 or so.

Last updated: 5 September, 2003