Course Books

  1. Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Emily Wilson. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2018. (Weeks 1–4)

  2. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by Andrew George. London: Penguin Classics, 2003. (Week 5)

  3. Niane, Djibril Tamsir. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Translated by G. D. Pickett. Revised edition. London: Longman, 2006. (Week 6)

  4. Andrade, Mário de. Macunaíma. Translated by E. A. Goodland. New York: Random House, 1984. (Weeks 7–8)

  5. Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. London: Women’s Press, 1988. (Weeks 9–10)

  6. Desai, Kiran. The Inheritance of Loss. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006. (Weeks 10–13)

  7. Hamid, Mohsin. Exit West. New York: Riverhead Books, 2017. (Weeks 13–14)

Spring Semester Schedule. Readings and assignments due day listed. Subject to updates.

WeekMondayWednesdayFriday
W1Jan 12
• Topic: Intro
• Read: Syllabus
Jan 14
• Topic: The Odyssey I
• Read: Books 1–2
Jan 16
• Topic: The Odyssey II
• Read: Books 3–4
W2Jan 19
MLK DAY
(No Class)
Jan 21
• Topic: The Odyssey III
• Read: Books 5–7
Jan 23
• Topic: The Odyssey IV
• Read: Books 8–10
W3Jan 26
• Topic: The Odyssey V
• Read: Books 11–12
Jan 28
• Topic: The Odyssey VI
• Read: Books 13–14
Jan 30
• Topic: The Odyssey VII
• Read: Books 15–16
W4Feb 2
• Topic: The Odyssey VIII
• Read: Books 17–19
Feb 4
• Topic: The Odyssey IX
• Read: Books 20–22
Feb 6
• Topic: The Odyssey X
• Read: Books 23–24
W5Feb 9
• Topic: Gilgamesh I
• Read: Prologue, Chap. 1 & 2
Feb 11
• Topic: Gilgamesh II
• Read: Chap. 3-4
Feb 13
• Topic: Gilgamesh III
• Read: Chap. 5-7
W6Feb 16
PRESIDENTS DAY
(No Class)
Feb 18
• Topic: Sundiata I
• Read: pp. 1–60
Feb 20
• Topic: Sundiata II
• Read: pp. 61–120
W7Feb 23
• Topic: Epic Synthesis/Review
• Read: Prep for Midterm
Feb 25
• Topic: MIDTERM EXAM
Feb 27
• Topic: Macunaíma I
• Read: pp. 1–45
W8Mar 2
• Topic: Macunaíma II
• Read: pp. 46–90
Mar 4
• Topic: Macunaíma III
• Read: pp. 91–135
Mar 6
• Topic: Macunaíma IV
• Read: pp. 136–180
MAR 7–15SPRING BREAKNO CLASSES
W9Mar 16
• Topic: Nervous Cond. I
• Read: pp. 1–40
Mar 18
• Topic: Nervous Cond. II
• Read: pp. 41–80
Mar 20
• Topic: Nervous Cond. III
• Read: pp. 81–154
W10Mar 23
• Topic: Nervous Cond. IV
• Read: pp. 154–220
Mar 25
• Topic: Nervous Cond. V
• Read: pp. 220–298
Mar 27
• Topic: Inheritance I
• Read: pp. 1–40
W11Mar 30
• Topic: Inheritance II
• Read: pp. 41–80
Apr 1
• Topic: Inheritance III
• Read: pp. 81–120
Apr 3
• Topic: Inheritance IV
• Read: pp. 121–160
W12Apr 6
• Topic: Inheritance V
• Read: pp. 161–200
Apr 8
• Topic: Inheritance VI
• Read: pp. 201–240
Apr 10
• Topic: Inheritance VII
• Read: pp. 241–280
W13Apr 13
• Topic: Inheritance VIII
• Read: pp. 281–324
Apr 15
• Topic: Exit West I
• Read: pp. 1–40
Apr 17
• Topic: Exit West II
• Read: pp. 41–80
W14Apr 20
• Topic: Exit West III
• Read: pp. 81–130
Apr 22
• Topic: Exit West IV
• Read: pp. 131–180
Apr 24
🏁 LAST DAY
• Read: pp. 181–231

Final Exam:

  • For the 10:10 AM section: Monday, May 4, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  • For the 12:10 PM section: Tuesday, May 5, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM