外国文学双语教学课程教学大纲
Bilingual Course for Foreign Literature
(Syllabus)
Introduction
This course tends to teach Western literature bilingually, and the students who will attend the class are from the Chinese Department. Western literature here refers to European literature from Greek literature to the twentieth literature and American literature since the 19th century, including non-English and English speaking countries’ literature, although the teacher may often focus on the literature of some English-speaking countries.
The students are required to be familiar with the basic knowledge of Western literature, its development, and the important literary movements, as well as celebrated literary figures. At the same time, they are asked to read some famous pieces, especially some masterpieces, which are to be printed as hand-outs.
This course consists roughly of two parts: lectures and discussions. In the former part, the teacher plays the leading role, while in the later, the students are encouraged to express themselves in English.
Equipment Required: multimedia classroom.
Number of students restrained: 50 per class.
Time required: 3 hours per week, 18-19 weeks per term, in 2 terms.
Total teaching hours: 112-114
Contents of the Course
I.Ancient Literature ( 15 periods)
Introduction
The background of Greek literature and its position in European literature and culture; How the Mediterranean played an important role in the formation of Greek Culture; The achievements of Greek literature: myths and legends; Hesiodos’ poetry and its reality-oriented theme; The ―Tenth Muse‖Sapho and her lyrics; A brief introduction Homer’s epics; A brief introduction to Greek drama; Aesop’s fables and Aesop’s age; Greek literary theory and Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; The difference and relationship between Greek and Roman culture.
Greek literature
1. Mythology
Greek mythology and Greece: its origin; Four sources of Greek mythology: A. Homeric Creation Myth; B. Pelasgian Creation Myth; C. Orphic Creation Myth; D. Olympian Creation Myth
Greek mythology and the disposition of Greeks; The Characteristics of Greek mythology and anthropocentricism; The stories of the beginning of the heavens and earth and major gods on Olympus; Significance of Greek mythologies and legends and their influence.
2. Homer
(1) Homer and Homeric Epics
(2) Contents of Homeric Epics
The Iliad
The Odyssey
(3) Characters in Homeric epics
Achilles
Hector
Odysseus
(4)Significance of Homeric epics
It is the reflection of clannish and ancient Greece.
Courage and bravery
Its influence upon later European literature
(5)Art
Structure
Character depiction
(6)Supplementary readings
3. Drama
The origin of Greek drama and the Festival of Dionysus; Life and writing of Aeschylus; Life and writing of Sophocles; Life and writing of Euripides.
