Spring 2006

E 360L • Literature and Social Justice

Course Description

What do "humanitarianism" and "human rights" have to do with the humanities? In what ways can literature contribute to a consideration of these pressing questions in the early 21st century? In a globalizing culture, our interest will be both international and domestic, looking at ways in which personal stories contribute to political histories. In focusing on topics of "social justice," we will consider such questions as truth commissions, genocide, hunger, HIV/Aids, women's rights, children, immigration and refugees.

Grading Policy

The class will be conducted as much as possible as a seminar and discussion and attendance will be emphasized. In addition to readings and occasional quizzes (as/if required), writing assignments will include two research assignments, one written panel presentation, a final paper prospectus, and the final paper itself.

2 research assignments (750 wds each = 1500 wds)
1 panel presentation (750 wds)
1 paper proposal (750 wds)
1 final paper (1800-2400 wds)
=75% of the final grade
Attendance and participation = 25% of the final grade

Texts

Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal" (Ireland/hunger)
Carol Bergman (ed)., Another Day in Paradise (aid workers)
Clea Koff, The Bone Woman (forensic criticism)
Philip Gourevitch, This Is To Inform You.... (genocide)
Gil Courtemanche, A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali (genocide/HIV-Aids)
Delia Jarrett-Macauley, Moses, Citizen & Me (child soldiers)
Kenneth Cain et al., Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures (aid workers)
Benjamin Zephaniah, Refugee Boy (refugees)
Victoria Brittain and Gillian Slovo, Guantánamo (detention)
Paul Gready (ed)., Fighting for Human Rights

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