ENGL 356 E Literature and Colonization Fall 2015

MWF High Noon, FNH 003

Professor Information
Professor Dr. Cheryl Duffus, Associate Professor, Department of English
Language and Literature

Office Craig 206 B

Phone x4409

Email [email protected]
NOTE: All Gardner-Webb University students and faculty must
use their Gardner-Webb University email addresses for
conducting academic business.

Email
Availability Please note that you should expect at least a 24-hour window for a
response to an email or other electronic communication. During
university holidays and breaks, that window may be longer.

Office Hours: Mon. and Wed., 10-11 am and 2-3 pm, or by appointment

Course Description
From the Undergraduate Catalog: Study of the interaction between literature
and colonization. May vary in time period and may focus on a particular region,
author, or theme.

Fall 2015 Focus: Fiction from 20th century India

Prerequisites
ENGL 102

Students who have completed these prerequisites are expected to be able to:
Compose essays using adequate paragraph development and the different
modes of writing (argument, analysis, personal reflection, etc.).
Identify their writing strengths and weaknesses.
Demonstrate facility with paraphrasing and quoting using MLA
documentation
Assess appropriately when it is necessary to acknowledge ideas and
information found elsewhere (Google, textbook, etc.).

English 356 Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe terms, concepts, and debates in postcolonial

studies.

2. Understand the importance of cultural, social, and historical contexts

in postcolonial studies, particularly in the context of India and British
colonization of that region

3. Analyze literature applying the criteria in objectives one and two; this
course focuses specifically on Indian novels of the 20th and early 21st
centuries

4. Compose literary analyses applying an understanding of the strategies

of postcolonial studies

5. Demonstrate oral communication skills

6. Develop leadership skills in face-to-face as well as electronic

environments

7. Apply appropriate information literacy techniques

8. Connect the importance of the educator as a theorist and practitioner

and the four unifying threads of the learner and the learning,
 methodology, social context, and professional development. (For
English Education majors only)

Course Materials
Required textbooks: (available in the University campus shop and
elsewhere).
Adiga, Aravind. The White Tiger. Free Press (October 14, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1416562605 ISBN-13: 978-1416562603

Desai, Kiran. The Inheritance of Loss. Grove Press; Reprint edition

(August 29, 2006) ISBN-10: 0802142818 ISBN-13: 978-0802142818

Forster, E.M. A Passage to India. Everyman's Library (November 3,

1992) ISBN-10: 0679405496 ISBN-13: 978-0679405498

Premchand, Munshi. Godan. Trans. By Anupa Lal. Delhi: Ratna

Sagar Press, Ltd., 2000. First published in 1936.

Roy, Arundhati. The God of Small Things. New York Random House
1997.; F edition (1997) ASIN: B007RCFBCQ

Suri, Manil. The Death of Vishnu: A Novel (PS). Harper Perennial

(January 8, 2008) ISBN-10: 0061467065 ASIN: B002ECEFKS

Young, Robert J.C. Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction.

Oxford UP, 2003. ISBN 13: 978-0-19-280182-1

MLA documentation guidelines. Purdue Universitys OWL site is an

excellent resource: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Paper and a writing utensil for in-class work.

Access to a desktop, laptop, or similar electronic device for work done

outside of class.

Technology Expectations
 Blackboard, as available through WebbConnect.

Turnitin.com: Assignments completed outside of class will be submitted

using Turnitin.com, which is linked through Blackboard.

Regular check-ins with the courses site on Blackboard as well as GWU

email.

A reliable method for accessing the Internet either on campus or elsewhere

A reliable method for backing up files.

Word processing software that will create documents to upload to

Turnitin.com. It accepts Word documents as well as PDFs and rtfs.

For the final exam presentation, students will need to be comfortable

navigating a visual presentation on the classroom screen.

Students must choose a visual component for the final exam presentation
such as a wiki as available on Blackboard or similar.

Grading Policies
In this course, you will receive a numeric grade on all work. All grades will be
inputted into the Blackboard gradebook where an overall course average can be
seen. Your numeric grades should be compared to the chart below in order to
determine the equivalent letter grade. Please check your grades frequently.

Questions About Grades

Contact the professor ASAP, especially if you feel the professor has made a
mistake or if you are worried about your grade. Please note that grades cannot be
adjusted or changed to accommodate outside factors such as scholarship eligibility,
etc.

Grading Timeline (Exceptions for Professor Emergencies)

In-class writing responses are returned within two classes, usually by the
next class, with written comments.
 In-class exams are returned within a week with written comments and a
rubric.

Written work completed outside of class is returned within two weeks.

Written as well as voice comments are available on the Turnitin.com
document. A rubric is also provided, when appropriate.

Department Grading Scale (6-Point Scale)

In order to insure grading consistency, the English Department established the
following grading scale for all English courses. Please contact the Registrars
Office if you have any questions about the chromatic grading scale and how that
will impact your GPA and other academic requirements.

GPA Letter Grade Numeric Grade

4.0 A+ 99-100
4.0 A 96-98
3.67 A- 94-95
3.33 B+ 92-93
3.00 B 88-91
2.67 B- 86-87
2.33 C+ 84-85
2.00 C 80-83
1.67 C- 78-79
1.33 D+ 76-77
1.0 D 72-75
0.67 D- 70-71
0 F 69>

Course Policies and Penalties

Emergency Plans
In case of an on-campus emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please
assemble as quickly as possible at the following location to check in with your
professor: the open space between Craig and Withrow.

Technological Difficulties
If you are having problems with Internet access in one location, such as your dorm
room, you will need a back-up plan such as going to another location (the Library
or a Computer Lab, etc.). You are also expected to back-up your work.
Computer / Internet issues are not an excuse for late work or missing work. If
there is a campus technological problem, emergency, or disaster, the professor will
make accommodations.

Absences
You are expected to attend every class meeting. University policy mandates that
attending fewer than 75% of class meetings will result in automatic failure, the @F
grade. This 25% includes absences due to University activities such as athletics or
class trips as well as absences due to personal illness or family situations. I post
absences on the Blackboard gradebook. You may check that at any time for your
total number of absences.

Late work
Every assignment will be docked 5% for every day it is late, including weekends,
holidays, and university breaks. No late work will be accepted more than one
week after the due date. In-class work cannot be made up.
Exceptions: If you have a serious illness or traumatic emergency, you will
not receive a late penalty.

Academic Dishonesty
Using someone else's words or ideas without giving credit with documentation and
quotation marks when appropriate is plagiarism. Someone else includes work by
people you know, material posted or sold on-line, and material printed in books or
periodicals. You need to cite any information you use to help you, even if that
information is found in the textbook. Information you look up on line also needs
to be cited, even if it seems like common knowledge (if you had to look it up, its
not common knowledge to you). If you use information from another class, please
acknowledge this as well.

Academic Dishonesty Penalty

It is the English Departments policy that a final grade of FX will be assigned any
time a student submits any draft of a major assignment of which a substantial
portion has been falsely represented as the students own. Minor assignments that
are plagiarized will also be prosecuted according to University Academic
Dishonesty Policy. This policy includes both final drafts and rough drafts
submitted either to the instructor, to the Writing Center, or to a peer. Resubmitting
work you have done for another class without receiving prior permission from the
professor will be considered academic dishonesty and will receive the same
penalty.
The Final Exam
The final exam will be Monday, December 7, 2015, at 8:00 am. The final exam
schedule is set by the Registrar and cannot be changed unless you have a truly
serious (and, generally, unexpected) emergency such as a death in the family, a
serious illness requiring hospitalization, or an obligation to be away on University
business (e.g., you are an athlete and have a scheduled game). DO NOT make
personal travel plans before or during the final exam date and time. Personal
travel plans are not a sufficient excuse for rescheduling the final exam unless you
are traveling for some an emergency or University event.

Class Cancellation
In the event that class must be cancelled, I will attempt to give you as much notice
as possible. I will notify you over email, if possible, I will post an announcement
on Blackboard, and our department administrative assistant will ALWAYS leave a
note on the classroom door. Please note that if class is cancelled due to instructor
illness or emergency, you might have less than 24 hour notice.

Participation and Classroom Conduct

All students are expected to participate in class discussion. All members of the
class are expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow class members as well
as the professor and any visitors to the classroom. A classroom is a welcoming and
supportive place for all students, faculty, and staff, and it is important to respect
and to appreciate the differences among us, including race, gender, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, disability, religion, or political affiliation. If anyone feels they
have been discriminated against in this classroom or on campus, please contact the
professor.

In addition, the Classroom Conduct Policy from the Student Handbook states
the following: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which
does not distract from or disrupt the educational pursuits of others. Disrespectful,
distracting, or disruptive behavior will be mediated first by the professor. If a
resolution cannot be found, then the Vice President and Dean of Student
Development will be asked to intervene.

Electronic Devices
We all need to self-regulate our use of electronic devices, especially smart phones,
in a classroom.
Voice calls cannot be made during class unless there is an emergency.
 Texting: Students who constantly text during class send the message they
are not engaged or do not consider class to be important. Constant texting
will affect students participation grade.

Students may not use electronic devices for any reason during an exam.

Laptop or tablet use during class is not permitted unless the student obtains
the permission of the professor.

Food and Drinks

Do not consume food in class. Beverages are permitted.

Student Support
Course Support
The professor is available to meet or consult with any student as frequently as s/he
would like.
In Person: You are welcome to stop by during office hours. If these are not
convenient for you, the professor can set up an appointment.

Electronic: Contact the professor over phone, email, Blackboard.

Peer Contacts your fellow classmates. Exchange information with at least

one student.

Bb Discussion Forums will be provided for students to receive peer support

with this class as well as with other issues or questions

Please contact me ASAP if you are feeling lost or overwhelmed this semester,
either in general or in this class, so that we can work out a solution together.

Noel Program
If your learning or participation in this class might be affected in any way by a
disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you will
need to do the following:
(1) Register with the Noel Program for Students with Disabilities, located in
Frank Nanney Hall. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by in person, contact them over the
 phone at (704) 406-4270, or email at disabilityservices@gardner-
webb.edu. Website: http://www.gardner-webb.edu/academics/disability-
services/noel-program/index

(2) Educate me about your disability so that I can work with you and the
Noel Program to arrange necessary accommodations.

It is important that you take both of these steps no later than the first week of the
semester.

GWU Writing Center, Tucker Student Center Room 237

The Writing Center is a resource for all students, regardless of major or level of
study. Writing Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of the
English language and writing who also enjoy assisting others. They will help you
with developing and revising your ideas as well as polishing your final draft. You
can make an appointment for a consultation in Webb Connect or walk in to see if
there's an available appointment. Visit gardner-webb.edu/writingcenter for
important information like semester hours of operation.

Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program

The Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program (LEAP) provides peer tutoring
for Gardner-Webb students. Peer tutors will work with students to refine study
skills and clarify course content. Our tutoring is offered on campus in the Tucker
Student Center, room 336, next to the Student Success Center. While we try to
meet the needs of our students, we do not have resources available to offer tutoring
in every course/subject. Should tutoring for certain course/subjects not be
available, the student may contact the LEAP program to determine if other campus
resources are available. Students can make an appointment with a peer tutor in
WebbConnect by clicking on Academic Support and Peer Tutoring
Appointment Scheduler. Prior to requesting a tutor, LEAP recommends that an
interested student speak first with his/her professor about concerns in a particular
class; professors can provide insight into which areas need attention or which
strategies might be helpful in specific courses. Please contact LEAP by emailing
[email protected] or visit our website at gardner-webb.edu/leap. Feel free to
visit our office on the third floor of the Tucker Student Center.

Technology Support
Technology Services is Gardner-Webb University's central technology resource.
Technology Services works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and alumni
to provide network security, academic and administrative computing support, email
services, software licensing and management, and technology training. The
Technology Services office is located on the first floor of the O. Max Gardner Hall
and is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. http://www.gardner-
webb.edu/information/departments/technology-services/index

Emotional and Spiritual Support

1) Pastoral Care at Gardner-Webb University is a ministry that attends the
needs of the University family in times of joy and sorrow and provides
resources for spiritual health. The Office of Christian Life and Service has a
Pastoral Care Team that meets weekly to pray for specific needs on campus
and to contact and minister to bereaved students. They are also available to
meet with you and pray with you individually. In addition, this team
facilitates weekly, campus-wide prayer meetings every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.
before The Verge. http://www.gardner-webb.edu/student-life/christian-life-
and-service/pastoral-care/index

2) The Gardner-Webb University Counseling Center provides academic,

emotional, social, and vocational support as well as mental health
consultation to students, faculty, and staff. A team of professionals trained in
education and counseling help University community members in
developing constructive life plans, handling crisis situations, and coping
with day-to-day problems. Short-term individual, group, and couples
counseling sessions are available at no additional cost. The University
Counseling Center adheres to the American Counseling Associations code
of ethics and operates within a Christian perspective. All services provided
are confidential and no information will be given to others without the
consent of the individual. The University Counseling is located in the Tucker
Student Center and is open for appointments, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, an on-call counselor can be reached
by calling University Police at (704) 406-4000. http://www.gardner-
webb.edu/student-life/student-services/counseling-services/index

Academic Support
Please contact your academic advisor or Academic Advising if you are
experiencing any difficulties in accomplishing your academic goals, especially if a
personal illness, family situation, or financial difficulty is involved.
http://www.gardner-webb.edu/academics/academic-success-
programs/advising/index
 ENGL 356 Postcolonial Literature Fall 2015

Course Schedule of Readings, Due Dates, and Assignments

Week One

Aug. 19 Course Introduction

Aug. 21 Introduction to Postcolonial Studies and Indian Literature

Week Two

Aug. 24 Reading Due: Young, pp. 1-44

Aug. 26 Reading Due: Young, pp. 45-92, Reading Questions:

Aug. 27 Discussion Board #1 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Aug. 28 Reading Due: Young, pp. 93-147, Bridge Building Presentation

Week Three
Aug. 31 Reading Due: Forster, pp. 3-63 (end of chapter VI/ 6)
Sept. 2 Reading Due: Forster, pp. 63-122 (end of chapter IX/9), Reading Questions

Sept. 3 Discussion Board #2 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Sept. 4 Reading Due: Forster, pp. 123-191 (end of chapter XVIII/18)

Week Four
Sept. 7 Reading Due: Forster, pp. 191-278 (chapter 19 (XIX) through chapter 26
(XXVI)
Sept. 9 Reading Due: Forster, pp. 279-362 (the rest of the novel), Reading Questions
Sept. 10 Discussion Board #3 due by 11:59 pm to Bb
Sept. 11 Finish Discussion of Forster; Bridge Building Presentation
Week Five
Sept. 14 Godan, Reading Questions
Sept. 16 Godan, Reading Questions
Sept. 17 Discussion Board #4 due by 11:59 pm to Bb
Sept. 18 Finish Godan; Bridge Building Presentation

Week Six

Sept. 21 Reading Due: Roy, pp. 3-83, Chapters 1-2

Sept. 23 Reading Due: Roy, pp. 84-129, Chapters 3-5, Reading Questions

Sept. 24 Discussion Board #5 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Sept. 25 Reading Due: Roy, pp. 130-177, Chapters 6-8

Week Seven

Sept. 28 Reading Due: Roy, pp. 178-253, Chapters 9-13

Sept. 30 Reading Due: Roy, pp. 254-321, the rest of the novel, Reading Questions

Oct. 1 Discussion Board #6 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Oct. 2 Wrap up Roy; Bridge Building Presentation

Week Eight

Oct. 5 Reading Due: Suri, pp. 13-84, Chapters 1-4

Oct. 7 Reading Due: Suri, pp. 85-148, Chapters 5-7

Oct. 9 Reading Due: Suri, pp. 149-210, Chapters 8-10, Reading Questions

Week Nine

Oct. 11 Discussion Board #7 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Oct. 12 Reading Due: Suri, pp. 211-295, Chapters 11-16

Oct. 14 Wrap Up Suri, Bridge Building Presentation

Oct. 16 In-Class Work on Final Exam Project Our View

Week Ten

Oct. 19 Fall Break

Oct. 21 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 1-60, Chapters 1-10

Oct. 22 Discussion Board #8 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Oct. 23 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 61-102, Chapters 11-16

Week Eleven

Oct. 26 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 103-180, Chapters 17-27

Oct. 28 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 181-230, Chapters 28-32, Reading Questions Due

Oct. 29 Discussion Board #9 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Oct. 30 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 231-272, Chapters 33-38

Week Twelve

Nov. 2 Reading Due: Desai, pp. 273-357, the rest of the novel, Reading Questions
Due

Nov. 4 Wrap Up Desai; Bridge Buildling Presentation

Nov. 6 Reading Due: Adiga, pp. 1-78, Reading Questions Due

Week Thirteen

Nov. 9 Reading Due: Adiga, pp. 79-189

Nov. 10 Discussion Board #10 due by 11:59 pm to Bb

Nov. 11 Reading Due: Adiga, pp. 191-276, Reading Questions Due

Nov. 13 Wrap Up Adiga; Transition to film

Week Fourteen

Nov. 16 Film: Monsoon Wedding

Nov. 18 Film: Monsoon Wedding

Nov. 20 Film: Monsoon Wedding

Week Fifteen

Nov. 23 Film: Monsoon Wedding

Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Break

Week Sixteen

Nov. 30 Wrap Up Discussion/In Class Work on Final Exam Project

Dec. 2 Wrap Up Discussion/In Class Work on Final Exam Project

Dec. 4 Wrap Up Discussion/In Class Work on Final Exam Project

Final Exam Final Exam Presentations: Monday, December 7, 2015, at 8:00 am. Final
Journals due by 8 am, uploaded to Bb/Turnitin.com

No work is accepted after the final exam.

Assignments Points
Participation and Attendance 100
Bb Discussion Board Postings and Responses (10, 25 points each) 250
Bridge Building Presentation (1) 75
Reading Questions (1) 50
Journals (4, 400 points each) 400
Final Exam Our View, Group Project/Presentation 100

Total Points 975

Assignment Expectations and Policies

Assignment Formatting
Assignments completed outside of class must be double-spaced and use correct
2009 MLA formatting of documents, in-text citations, and works cited pages.
Points will be deducted for not conforming to these specifications and for lateness.

Assignments as public documents

All work in this class will be public. In other words, other people may be allowed
to read it.

Turnitin.com
It is the English departments policy to use Turnitin.com as one tool for
encouraging academic integrity. Assignments completed outside of class will be
submitted through Blackboard to Turnitin.com. There is no need for students to
create separate Turnitin.com accounts. You do not need to interact individually
with Turnitin.com at all. Students do need to be aware that via Blackboard, their
papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com and will be scanned and stored.

1. Participation and Attendance: You are expected to attend class regularly, to

complete the reading, and to bring your books and other materials to class. You
are also expected to pay attention in class and to behave in a professional
manner (treat each other with courtesy and respect). Food is not permitted in
class, but beverages are okay. Distractions such as sleeping, excessive texting,
side conversations, doing work for other classes, lateness, leaving early, etc.
will be reflected in your grade. Absences will also be reflected in your grade,
although you will not be penalized for absences due to university activities,
personal illness, and family emergencies.

2. Blackboard Discussion Board Postings: You will post to the Bb discussion

board on a regular basis. Each response will be one to two well-developed
paragraphs in length, 150 words minimum. You will be given a question to
frame your response to, and you are expected to be thoughtful and to
demonstrate you did the reading by providing specific details from the text such
as quotes. Each student will respond to two other students in a substantial way
(not just like it simplistic responses), 25 words minimum.

3. Reading Questions: On the first day each text is introduced, one student will
bring in three (minimum) reading questions. Students are not responsible for
bringing the answers to class, just the questions. Students will sign up for texts
individually.

4. Bridge Building Presentations: Each student will sign up for one of these
presentations. The presentation should cover the following: a summary of the
important points discussed in the text just completed and a look ahead to the
next text.

5. Journals: Each student will submit four Journal writing assignments. These
will be building blocks for the Final Exam Project. These may be drawn in part
from other work for the class such as the Discussion Board Postings. The
fourth Journal will bring the first three together and reflect substantial revision
and editing. This final Journal will be due on Final Exam Day.
6. Final Exam Project: Our View. Class wiki or website (class can choose their
electronic medium) that reflects the view from below or the students
perspectives of this course and how the class defines postcolonial Indian
literature.

Grading Criteria
Below Average D or F: Does not meet the minimum requirements. Does not
conform to MLA Guidelines. Does not attempt to seriously complete the
assignment and / or does not follow the guidelines and expectations. Does not
demonstrate knowledge of the reading. Strays off topic significantly.

Average C: Answers question / stays on topic but relies too much on plot
summary, personal like / dislike analysis, and may misrepresent or
misinterpret the text. Might stray off topic. Might not fully conform to MLA
Guidelines. Does not show in-depth analysis or critical thinking. Contains
numerous writing errors.

Above Average B: Conforms to MLA Guidelines. Does not rely exclusively on

ideas presented in the class / textbook and does not plagiarize. Does not
misinterpret the text. Answers question / stays on topic. Uses specific details
and quotes from the text. Offers interesting and creative ideas. Goes beyond
simple I like / dont like analysis. For the most part, is well-written but
contains writing errors such as typos, misused words, wordy sentences, and run-
ons / comma splices.

Excellent A: Conforms to MLA Guidelines. Does not rely exclusively on ideas

presented in the class / textbook and does not plagiarize. Does not misinterpret
the text. Answers question / stays on topic. Uses specific details and quotes
from the text. Offers interesting and creative ideas. Goes beyond simple I like
/ dont like analysis. Shows energy and enthusiasm. Demonstrates a
substantial effort to engage in a thoughtful/conversational dialogue on the
assigned reading and course-related topics. Is well-written and contains few
mistakes.