Syllabus contents:
Asian 203, Winter 2004
Literature and Culture of Ancient and Classical India
Syllabus
Instructor:
Michael C. Shapiro
Office: 250 Gowen Hall
Office Hours:
MW 8:30-9:20 and by appointment
e-mail: hindimcs@u.washington.edu
Phone: 543-4958
Class Meeting Time and Place: MWF
1:30-2:50, 151 Savery
The topic of this course is the literature and culture of ancient and classical India (South Asia). It covers the period from the middle of the second millennium bce. through the end of the first millennium ce. During the course some of the most influential works of Indian tradition and world civilization will be read and discussed. These include the Rig Veda, the Mahabharata and Bhagavadgita, poetic and dramatic works by Kalidasa, the Pancatantra, and early South Indian lyric poetry. Although the works covered in the course were originally composed in Sanskrit or Tamil, they will be read in English translation. No knowledge of an Indian language is presupposed.
The final grade in Asian 203 will be based upon the following factors: midterm examination (20%); final examination (30%); 3 short papers (30%) attendance, participation and preparation (20%). The midterm examination will stress factual information and will be based on both assigned readings and class lectures. The final examination will involve the writing of interpretative essays, also based upon assigned readings and class lectures. The short papers will consist of interpretative essays of between four to five pages, double-spaced) on topics related to the class readings.
The following five books (all available in paperback editions at the University Bookstore) are required for Asian 203. They are given in the order that we will be reading them.
(1) The Rig Veda: An Anthology. Selected, translated and annotated by Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty. London: Penguin, 1981.
(2) The Mahabharata: (An English Version Based on Select Verses). Translated by Chakravarthi V. Narasimhan. Revised edition. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998.
(3) The Bhagavad-Gita: Krishna's Counsel in Time of War. Translated by Barbara Stoler Miller. New York: Bantam, 1986.
(4) Romila Thapar. Sakuntala: Texts, Readings, Histories. London: Anthem Press, 2002.
(5) The Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom. Translated by Patrick Olivelle. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
W-Course Policy
Asian 203 is a "W" course, indicating that it requires a significant component of discursive writing (i.e. a term paper). All students should strive for clear writing style, well-organized presentation, and cogent, logical argumentation. The instructor will be available during office hours or by appointment for consultation about writing techniques and problems. In addition, students who wish to turn in preliminary drafts for comments and suggestions are welcome to do so. However, such drafts must be submitted on or before Friday, March 1.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for carrying out assigned readings by the specified dates. They will be called upon in discussion sessions to answer questions based upon the readings. Copies of the readings should always be brought to class on the days on which they are to be discussed.
Students are also expected to abide by all University of Washington regulations concerning plagiarism and academic honesty. Cases of suspected plagiarism (including those involving the downloading of papers from the Internet) will be reported immediately to the Committee on Academic Conduct of the University's Office of Undergraduate Education.
Students are requested to observe the following rules in class:
- Arrive in class on time so that other students are not disturbed;
- Refrain from conversing with fellow students while class is in progress;.
- Turn off cell phones and pagers;
- Do not begin packing up to leave until the end of class.
Last Updated:
12/31/03
Contact the instructor at: hindimcs@u.washington.edu