Syllabus in Afro-Asian Literature

--Updated June 13, 2014--

Course Code/Title                                                      : AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE

Prerequisite                                                                : World Literature
Course Credit                                                             : 3 units

Course Description:

Provides a study of representative literary works by early and contemporary African and Asian writers.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1. summarize and outline the plot of the various pieces of  African and Asian literature;
2. identify and discuss the human situation depicted in the various piece of literature;
3. react to literature in various ways;
4. reflect on the theme of the various pieces of literature;
5. express appreciation for the wisdom imparted by the various piece of literature; and
6. integrate the PCU and CASTE values

Course Outline:

TIME FRAME	CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER
Week 1	I.    Introduction to the Course       A.  Getting to know the instructor, the students, and the course       B.   Distribution of course syllabus       C.   Introduction to Afro-Asian Literature
Week 2-3	II.   East Asian literature       A. The culture of China and Japan       B.   "The Great Race" (China)       C.   “The Incident” by Lu Hsun (China)       D. Excerpts from The Analects of Confucius (China) Quiz 1
Week 4-5	F.   Haikus from Bassho, Buson, and others (Japan)       G.  “In a Grove” by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (Japan) Quiz 2
Week 6	PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Week 7	III. Southeast Asian literature A.     The cultures of Southeast Asia B.      “Everybody has His Burden”, traditional folktale (Indonesia) C.     “The Mandarin and the Flower Festival” by P. Khiem (Vietnam) Quiz 3
Week 8	IV. Indian literature       -- The Ramayana (India)
Week 9	V.  Middle Eastern literature A.     The culture of the Middle East B.     The Beginning of the World (Egypt) Quiz 4
Week 10	C. The Arabian Nights
Week 11	D. Excerpt from the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam (Iran) E. Excerpt from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (Lebanon) Quiz 5
Week 12	MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Week 13-15	VI. African literature       A.  The history, geography, and cultures of Africa       B.   Poetry 1.      “Africa” by David Diop (Senegal and the Cameroons) 2.      “Three Friends” by Yoruba 3.      “Love Song” by Flavien Ranaivo (Madagascar) 4.      “The Lonely Soul” by Raphael Armattoe (Ghana) 5.      “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara (Nigeria) 6.      “Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka(Nigeria) Quiz 6
Week 16-17	C.   Short stories             1.   “Anticipation” by Mabel Dove-Danquah (Ghana)             2.   “The Geography Lesson” by Mongo Beti (Cameroon)             3.   “Chief Sekoto Holds Court” from When the Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head (South Africa/Botswana) Quiz 7
Week 18	FINAL EXAMINATION

Textbooks/Materials:

Bascara, L. R. (2003). World Literature (revised ed.). Quezon City: Rex Bookstore.

Duka, C. R. (2001). The literatures of Asia & Africa. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore.

Tendero, E. V. and Mora, H. S. (2008). World Literature: The literary masterpieces of the world. Pateros: Grandwater Publications.

Tomeldan, Y. V., (gen. ed.) et al. (1986). Prism: An introduction to literature. Mandayulong City: National Bookstore.

Guerrero, G. T. Instructional Minutes.  URL: http://instructionalminutes.blogspot.com. Label: “Afro-Asian Literature”

Other books on African, Asian, and World literature are available at the College Library.