Description:

World Masterpieces introduces students to literary study using major literary works composed from the times of Homer to Shakespeare that have been influential in shaping and expressing values of Western culture. Students will read selections representative of the epic, tragic, comic and lyric traditions primarily to gain knowledge of the works assigned. In addition, students will analyze the assigned texts as literary works and as cultural artifacts and influences. Finally, students will compare and contrast contemporary understandings of the individual and society with those expressed in the works studied. In completing the course objectives, students will learn the conventions of writing about literature and become familiar with general reference materials useful in studying literature. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Use the library and electronic resources to find and read about Western and non-Western literature.
2. Describe in writing important characteristics of Western literature from the ancient, medieval, and Renaissance periods.
3. List characteristics of epic, tragic, comic, and lyric poetry and describe how these literary forms changed over time from classical Greek and Roman literature to Renaissance literature.
4. Apply literary terms relevant to the assigned texts in describing and discussing the literature studied.
5. In group discussions, identify major themes found in the works studied.
6. In class discussions and in writing, describe human values as revealed in the literature from the time periods studied.
7. Compare or contrast the authors' presentation of human values and themes in the assigned texts with contemporary views.
8. Find examples of lyric poetry from the ancient, medieval and Renaissance periods and compare and contrast them in writing.
9. Discuss in writing the influence of major works studied on later artistic expressions.
10. Discuss in writing some of the issues a translator must consider in translating a text.
11. After comparing and contrasting different translations of the same text, explain in writing why one translation might be preferred.
12. Name several major works from non-Western literature from the periods studied and describe their significance for their respective cultures.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to Library and Electronic Sources to Study Literature
   A. Attend an orientation tour of the library to learn about important
sources related to the assigned texts.
   B. Prepare a bibliography of sources texts and literary periods.
   C. Prepare a bibliography of electronic sources including online
databases and the WWW useful to learn about the assigned texts and
literary periods.
   D. Summarize one article on each of the historical periods covered in
the course.
   E. Find lyric poems for each of the major historical periods studied
and compare and/or contrast their characteristics.

II. Ancient Greek and Latin Literature
   A. Greek epic poetry, Homer
      1. Recall and summarize details of The Odyssey.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Odyssey by Homer.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in The Odyssey.
      4. Identify characteristics of epic poetry found in The Odyssey.
      5. Compare several translations of The Odyssey and consider their
respective merits.
   B. Greek tragedy, Sophocles and Euripides
      1. Recall and summarize details of the assigned dramas.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to
tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in the assigned
tragedies.
      4. Describe historical development of classical tragedy.
      5. Review the major points of Aristotle's definition of tragedy and
discuss the implications of that definition for one's understanding of
tragedy.
      6. Compare several translations of one of the tragedies assigned and
describe the effects of each.
   C. Greek comedy, Aristophanes
      1. Recall and summarize details of the assigned plays.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to a comedy
by Aristophanes.
      3. Contrast comedy and tragedy.
   D. Read in small groups examples of ancient Greek lyric poetry.
   E. Latin epic poetry, Virgil
      1. Recall and summarize details of The Aeneid.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Aeneid.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in The Aeneid.
      4. Identify characteristics of epic poetry found in The Aeneid.
   F. Latin poetry, Ovid
      1. Recall and summarize myths from The Metamorphoses.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Metamorphoses.
      3. Compare The Metamorphoses to epic and lyric poetry.
      4. Describe significant themes present in The Metamorphoses.
      5. Identify influences of The Metamorphoses on later artistic
expressions.
   G. Survey in class qualities of Latin tragedy, comedy, and lyric
poetry.
      1. Take notes on characteristics of Latin tragedy, comedy and lyric
poetry.
      2. Contrast Latin and Greek and contemporary attitudes toward epic,
tragic, comic, and lyric poetry.

III. Medieval Literature
   A. Dante
      1. Recall and summarize details of The Inferno.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Inferno.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in The Inferno.
      4. Identify characteristics of epic poetry found in The Inferno.
      5. Compare several translations of The Inferno and describe the
virtues of each.
      6. Identify important literary qualifies of Dante's Divine Comedy.
   B. Chaucer 
      1. Recall and summarize details of The Canterbury Tales.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Canterbury Tales.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in The Canterbury
Tales.
      4. Identify important literary qualifies found in The Canterbury
Tales.
      5. Compare several translations of The Canterbury Tales and describe
the virtues of each.
   C. Medieval lyrics
      1. Find in the library or on electronic sources examples of medieval
lyric poetry.
      2. Take notes on the development and practice of lyric verse during
the Middle   Ages.
      3. Compare and contrast medieval lyrics with the Greek and Latin
lyrics read.

IV. Renaissance Literature
   A. Marlowe
      1. Examine Dr. Faustus as a Renaissance figure.
      2. Recall and summarize details of The Tragical History of Dr.
Faustus.
      3. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to The
Tragical History of Dr. Faustus.
      4.  Discuss in class important themes evident in Dr. Faustus.
   B. Shakespeare
      1. Recall and summarize details of the assigned dramas.
      2. Describe in writing and discussion personal responses to
tragedies by Shakespeare.
      3. Discuss in class important themes evident in the assigned
tragedies.
      4. Take notes on the relation of Elizabethan tragedy to Senecan
tragedy.
      5. Describe historical development of Elizabethan tragedy.
   C. Renaissance lyrics
      1. Find in the library or on electronic sources examples of
Renaissance lyric poetry.
      2. Take notes on the development and practice of Renaissance lyric
verse.
      3. Compare and contrast Renaissance lyrics with the medieval and
Greek and Latin lyrics read.

V. Non-Western Literature
   A. Use the library and electronic sources to identify major non-Western
literary works.
   B. Compare or contrast one of the Western texts read with a non-Western
text.
   C. Describe reasons a contemporary Western reader might have
difficulties understanding a non-Western text.
   D. Consider the effects of establishing a literary canon.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

 10%  Attendance and sharing in class
  5%  Bibliographies
 15%  Summary of articles
 10%  Report on non-Western literature
 30%  Objective exams over assigned texts and lectures
 30%   Essays
100%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.