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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 310 H"
COURSE NAME: "World Literature - - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2026
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
World Literature includes literary works that transcend their cultural origins, becoming significant and influential across different cultures. Through the comparative analysis of a selection of texts, students will explore how language, tradition, and history shape recurring themes and forms. The topics covered may differ, and the literature will be read in English translation. This course is reading- and writing-intensive, with 300-level literature students required to complete 5,000 to 6,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course investigates the tradition of utopia in literature from its origins to the rise of the dystopian novel, to reflect on the way writers have imagined political and social alternative environments and notice the progressive darkening of the form. We will investigate the reasons for the genre's new popularity reading a selection of 20th and 21st century dystopian novels by international authors, working on the relationship between literature and historical-political context, and the way in which art sublimates social anxieties. Trans-medial adaptations in film, comic books, and television shows will also be considered.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn how to analyze a literary text critically, how to identify a genre and style of fiction, how to research a topic and write academic papers.
Students will learn how to
- evaluate the relationship between political and social anxieties and cultural products
- identify a literary theme and trace its evolution in time
- effectively compare texts
- consider the influence of literature on other media and the way in which ideas are renegotiated at different periods
- consider the reader-response to dystopian texts
- assess the influence of the publishing industry on the success of a genre and the domination of Western literary forms.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Wind and Whirlwind: Utopian and Dystopian Themes in Literature and Philosophy | Agnes Heller and Riccardo Mazzeo | Rodopi Brill 2019 | 9789004410275 | | | Ebook | | |
| Utopian and dystopian explorations of pandemics and ecological breakdown : entangled futurities | Heather Alberro | Routledge 2025 9781003345770 | 9781003345770 | | | Ebook | | |
| Dystopian fiction east and west : universe of terror and trial Erika Gottlieb | Erika Gottlieb | McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001. | 9780773569188 | | | Ebook | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Three research papers | 2000 word research papers | 45% |
| Midterm exam | Close reading and commentary of selected passages from the text | 20% |
| Final Exam | Close reading and commentary of selected passages from the texts | 20% |
| Presentation | | 15% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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week 1
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Introduction to the course. Utopia and Dystopia, literal meanings, connotations and cultural tradition.
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Start reading Kafka's "The Trial"
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Week 2
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Franz Kafka - The Trial.
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Kafka's "The Trial"
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Week 3
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Bureaucracy and legislation as systems of state control
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Brown, Darryl K. “What Can Kafka Tell Us About American Criminal Justice?”Texas Law Review, vol. 93, no. 2, pp. 487–503.
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Week 4
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Capitalism, class and popular culture
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Huxley, Brave New World (1932)
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Week 5
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Brave New World continued
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Week 6
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Against totalitarianism: Big Brother is watching you
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Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1948)
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Week 7
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Nineteen Eighty-Four continued
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1st Home Paper Due
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Week 8
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The Metaphor of Contagion
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Saramago, Blindness (1995)
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Week 10
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Blindness continued.
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Research Foucault: Pestilence and contagion as a source of social control
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Week 10
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Ecocrisis |
Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower (1993) |
2nd Home Paper due
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Week 11
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The Parable of the Sower continued |
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Reserach ecocrisis theory
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Week 12
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The problem of reproduction |
Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go (2005) |
Research artificial bodies and human consciousness |
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Week 13
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Never Let Me Go continued |
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Week 14
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Presentations |
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Week 15
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