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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

WL:Oral Narr. to Hist. Fiction (Face-to-Face)

ENGL 3270-01

Course: ENGL 3270-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ENGL
CRN: 32271

Course Description

A variable topics study of non-Western literatures, which may include African, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Aztec and other texts in translation, with significant emphases on one of these literatures. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2400 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6

Required Texts

  • Endo, Shusaku. Silence. Trans. William Johnston. Picador, 2016. (ISBN  978-1250082244)
  • Eds. Puchner, et al., Norton Anthology of World Literature. Vol 1, Shorter Fifth Edition. 2024. (ISBN 978-1-324-06330-8)
Supplementary texts offered in class: 
  • Achebe, Chinua. Girls at War and Other Stories  [brief excerpt]
  • Akutagawa, Ryunosuke. Rashomon and Other Stories  [brief excerpt]

Learning Outcomes

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
(aligned with the Literature Program Learning Outcomes [https://catalog.suu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=26&poid=10069#plo])

1.  Students will be able to define, describe, and explain major literary terms crucial to studying world literatures, by implementing their knowledge of such terms into class discussions and written assignments. 

2.  Students will be able to compare how written communication and even the notion of genres may be different according to cultures and/or national traditions; and also according to the mode of artistic presentation (literature, poetry, theatre, "philosophical" writings).  This will be demonstrated by written competence in analyzing a wide variety of works of art, in addition to critical, religious, and philosophical texts.

3.  Students will be able to analyze texts within their specific contexts (literary, historical, social, cultural, philosophical, or religious) and will demonstrate this in class discussions, brief written responses per text, midterm exam, and a final critical research project.

4. In addition to comparing texts, students will also learn how to ground their comparisons of various cultures and ideas.  Students will be able to construct their own context upon which comparative analysis can be grounded and will demonstrate this by formulating their own questions (including premise, hypothesis, implications) based on close readings of the texts.  These questions will then be developed and followed through in the final critical research project.

5.  Students will be able to construct a formal abstract and annotated bibliography of a project of their own design; sharing the abstract draft will enhance peer critique skills and presentation of the polished abstract in class will enhance formal communication skills.  

Course Requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & OBJECTIVES

  • Quizzes:  10% of final grade  
(quizzes based on the readings and lectures will assess timely readings, engagement with course material, and understanding of terms/concepts/figures crucial to the course content; this assignment supports the Literature Program Learning Outcomes [https://catalog.suu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=26&poid=10069#plo] for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures")

  • Journal Quote & Question [JQQ]:  15% of final grade 
(students will write brief, approx., 100-word responses to the readings, excl., the quotation; the JQQ will be framed as a thoughtful question and will train students to identify and quote significant passages from the texts, to deploy close reading by analyzing these quotes, and to use critical thinking skills to formulate a thoughtful question grounded in the texts; the task is designed to stimulate reflective questioning that can later be the basis for developing essay topics and participating in class discussions; paraphrasing and commenting on these quotes will also train students to incorporate quotes effectively into larger essay assignments; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays")

  • Short Essay (1-2pp) 10% of final grade 
(Week 5 assessment of timely readings; engagement with course material, and understanding of terms/concepts/figures; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays," and to "conduct scholarly research") 

  • Midterm Exam (Canvas)  10% of final grade       
(midterm assessment of timely readings; engagement with course material, and understanding of terms/concepts/figures; exam will be identification, definition, and short essay; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays" )

  • Abstract, Formal MLA Outline, and Formal Annotated Bibliography (minimum nine scholarly sources, excluding reference sources) for Final Project   10% of final grade 
(abstract, outline, and annotated bibliography on the student's selected final project; to be polished throughout the semester and submitted at the end of the semester with the Final Project; students will submit a rough draft by Week 12 to ensure steady progress & timely support; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays," and to "conduct scholarly research") 

  • Final Project* (critical research essay; 8-10pp excluding required abstract, outline, works cited page, annotated bibliography)   20% of final grade
(the project will be in lieu of an in-class final exam; students will formulate one question that takes up two or more works; the project will assess students’ ability to think critically, to formulate thoughtful questions and a thesis; to deploy close readings, and to construct an appropriate context for a comparative analysis that responds to the question formulated, with at least three external, critical, scholarly sources incorporated into the argument; by Week 12, students should have at least a rough draft of an abstract & annotated bibliography formulated—individual consultation and direction provided; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays," and to "conduct scholarly research")

  • Participation (regular attendance & active engagement in class):  15% of final grade
(students will be required to participate in class discussions and Canvas discussions by contributing thoughtful questions and comments; informal sharing of midterm & final project abstracts; and virtual roundtable discussion; these are designed to train students to demonstrate their engagement with the course material and classmates' ideas; the JQQ assignment is designed to assist students with this requirement; this course requirement supports students' progress towards the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays," and to "conduct scholarly research")    

  • Presentation on Additional Text:   5% of final grade
(students will select one text from the Norton Anthology which is not included in the reading schedule; students will share a brief introduction & commentary, including connections to course readings from the Norton Anthology; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays") 

  • Question for Class:  5% of final grade 
(students will sign up for a day to share a thoughtful quote & question grounded in the text for the day; this assignment supports the Literature Program's Learning Outcomes for students to be able to "identify, describe, and compare the features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures," to "apply a range of literary theories and/or critical perspectives through close reading and analysis," to "articulate interpretations and critical positions through presentations and academic essays")    
 

* The schedule of activities, readings, and specific instructions for each major written assignment will be distributed in class.

Course Outline

  • Week 1: Course Introduction–Defining "Oral Narrative" & "Historical Fiction"
  • Week 2: The Language of Myth & Its Relationship with the Identity of a People 
  • Week 3: Different Traditions of Ancient Oral Narratives 
  • Week 4: Re-cap of weeks 1-3; Short Essay Due 
  • Week 5:  What Is the Status of Myth Today? 
  • Week 6: Problems in Narrative Stemming From the Post-Myth Language/Identity Gap
  • Week 7: Re-cap of weeks 5-6; Midterm Exam
  • Week 8: Does Myth Become Literature?
  • Week 9: The Relationship Between Literature, History, Community, and Identity 
  • Week 10: Literature Without a Communal Past: (Post)Modern Historical Fiction?
  • Week 11: Figures in Myth vs. Literary Characters vs. Real People From History 
  • Week 12: Roundtable Panel Discussion With "Characters"
  • Week 13: Storytelling Today: Can There Be New Myths?
  • Week 14: Celebrating Your Work-in-Progress on the Final Project [in-class presentations & peer review]
  • Finals Week: Final Project and supporting documents due (in lieu of an in-class "Final Exam")

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

In the interests of fairness to all students, timely submission of assignments is expected. Any excused late work accepted will be subject to point deductions. Exceptions will be made for health, family, or technological emergencies, so please feel free to contact me. 

Attendance Policy

  • Attendance & Participation:  Required—in the interests of the students’ learning and performance.  Do not hesitate to let me know if there is illness or an emergency.  
  • Simply to be fair to everyone, the following will be counted as absences:  being excessively tardy, leaving excessively early, and engaging in distracted or disruptive activities (i.e., unrelated to class work at hand).
  • Since our course meets only twice a week: 
    • any student with more than six (6) absences will be ineligible to pass the course 
    • any student with more than two (2) consecutive absences without any communication will need to contact the instructor before written assignments are accepted and graded in Canvas 
  • In the first two weeks of class, SUU athletes and other official SUU organization members will need to submit written documentation signed by their coach/supervisor, noting specific activity dates that may conflict with class days. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.