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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 299"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Political Science: Great Writers Against Tyranny"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course aims at presenting four classic writers of the 20th century whose work has come to symbolize human struggle against the oppression of a dictatorial regime. They are chosen so as to represent different countries of origin (Italy, UK, Romania/France, Russia), four different languages of expression, different literary styles (fiction, satire, realism), different tyrannies (Fascism, Nazism, Soviet Communism) but to express the same hope of human redemption even in the worst circumstances
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The context of 20th-century tyrannies: Italian fascism, Soviet communism, German national-socialism
Silone and Orwell: tyrannies viewed and experienced from the outside
Wiesel and Solzhenitsyn: surviving the camps
Biographies of the four writers and analysis of their political as well as literary inspiration
A comparative assessment
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to grow familiar with the four authors and their respective novels and capable of placing each in the appropriate political and literary context. Through the reading of these classics and analytical writing, they will understand how common elements ultimately prevail over differences in narrating the survival of human spirit under the most tragic circumstances.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Animal Farm | George Orwell | Any edition | Any edition | | | | | |
| Fontamara | Ignazio Silone | Any edition | Any edition | | | | | |
| One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovic | Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn | Any edition | Any edition | | | | | |
| Night | Elie Wiesel | Any edition | Any edition | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
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| attendance and participation in discussions | Feedback on the readings | 20% |
| Four papers, 5-6 double-spaced pages | Comparing context, characters, style and situations of the four novels | 80% |
-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 cours
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:
required
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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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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Sep. 1-3 | Intro to the course | | | |
| Sep. 8-10 | The life and works of Ignazio Silone | Fontamara | | |
| Sep. 15-17 | The life and works of Ignazio Silone II | Fontamara | | |
| Sep. 22-24 | Discussion of the novel with student feedback | | | |
| Sep. 29 - Oct. 1 | The life and works of George Orwell | Animal Farm | | |
| Oct. 6-8 | The life and works of George Orwell II | Animal Farm | | |
| Oct. 13-15 | Discussion of the novel with student feedback | | | |
| Oct. 20-22 | The life and works of Elie Wiesel | Night | | First paper due |
| Oct. 27-29 | The life and works of Elie Wiesel II | Night | | |
| Nov. 3-5 | Discussion of the novel with student feedback | | | |
| Nov. 10-12 | The life and works of Alexander Solzhenitsyn | One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich | | Second paper due |
| Nov. 17-19 | The life and works of Alexander Solzhenitsyn II | One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich | | |
| Nov. 24-26 | Discussion of the novel with student feedback | | | |
| Dec. 1-3 | Concluding assessments | | | Third paper due - Fourth paper due on day scheduled for final exam |
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