04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M
Peterson Hall 2411
Section Information for Spring 2019
After a limited number of critical/theoretical readings to set the stage, this seminar will explore a wide range of world fiction written since 1950, along with several works of non-fiction. The emphasis will fall mainly on writers who, by being translated into English, have gained a level of global recognition. In addition to novels by Naguib Mahfouz, Mo Yan, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Marguerite Duras, we will consider shorter fiction from India and from an anniversary issue of the online translation journal, WordsWithoutBorders. World fiction defined in this way has a counterpart in the English-language novel with strong international leanings, to be represented by Vladimir Nabokov, Ngugi wa Thiongo, and Kazuo Ishiguro. Non-fiction writings will include oral history from Svetlana Alexievich, unconventional autobiography by J.M. Coetzee, and travel writing/ethnography by Amitav Ghosh.
Students will contribute to seminar discussions with two position papers on issues raised by specific novels on the reading list. There will also be two papers: a short interpretive essay early in the course and a seminar paper at the end. A more detailed list of book titles and other readings is available on request from jfoster@gmu.edu.
Credits: 3
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.