ANELL 200: Women Writers of the Near and Far East
Spring 2003
 








Profs. Berg, Copeland, and Keshavarz

This course is intended to introduce students to the comparative methodologies of studying literatures and cultures outside of the Anglo-European traditions.  This semester we will focus on women writers of Iran, Israel and Japan as we explore their literary creations in the context of their respective cultures as well as in the larger context of women's culture.  Each of the literary traditions considered this term is supported by long and rich histories - histories that have seen both fracture and continuity in the twentieth century.  We will investigate how women of these cultures write within and against tradition.  Of particular concern will be analysis of the ways women express themselves as artists, the ways they depict themselves against the fabric of society, and the ways they use writing as sustained rebellion.
 

Requirements


No prerequisites; requirements include: active participation (15%), three [5-7 page] papers and revisions (65%), weekly [one well-written page] thought pieces (20%). All assignments are due on time; all work must be completed in order to receive credit for the course.
Students requesting special accomodations need to contact the Disabilities Resource Center at the beginning fo the semester.http://disability.wustl.edu/
Students are strongly encouraged to review the "Statement of Student Academic Integrity." Note that the Writing Center offers help in Eads 111 and on their website.http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~writing/home.html
 

Texts


Books are available for purchase at the University Bookstore. * Additional readings are on reserve electronically (eres). Occasionally short pieces will be distributed in class. All readings - except those distributed in class - are to be completed before the class in which they are to be discussed.

Questions and Office Hours


For general course information & about Hebrew writers:
        Prof. Berg - Tues & Thurs 2:30-3:30 by appt.                            nberg@artsci.wustl.edu
        Busch 112, x4451
For questions about Japanese writers:
        Prof. Copeland - Wed 2:00-4:00                                           copeland@artsci.wustl.edu
        Busch 124G, x4903
For questions about Iranian writers:
        Prof. Keshavarz -  Mon & Wed 11:00-12:00                           fatemeh@artsci.wustl.edu
        Busch 114B, x8576

ANELL 200
Schedule (subject to change)

Week 1
Jan 14  Introduction to the course: women's writing
Jan 16 Israeli poets & the personal voice *

Week 2
Jan 21  Dvora Baron, "Fraidl" in Amia Lieblich, (Conversations) with Dvora, University of California Press.
Jan 23 Tamura Toshiko, "A Woman Writer," in To Live and To Write, Yukiko Tanaka, ed. Seal Press.*

Week 3
Jan 28  Hirabayashi Taiko, "Self Mockery,"  in Tanaka.*
Jan 30  Uno Chiyo, "A Genius of Imitation,"  in Tanaka.*

Week 4
Feb 4 Amia Lieblich, (Conversations with) Dvora, University of California Press,  First - Twelfth Encounters.
           
Feb 6 Lieblich, Dvora, Thirteenth Encounter - Epilogue.
 
Week 5
Feb 11 Sahar Khalifeh, from Memoirs of an Unrealistic Woman; Hanan Ashrawi, “Women and Things”*
Feb 13 Nazik al-Mala’ika, “Love Song for Words,” Daisy al-Amer, “Tomorrow;” Samira Almana, “The Billy Goat and the Menfolk”*

FIRST PAPER DUE FEBRUARY 13 IN CLASS

Week 6
Feb 18  Amalia Kahane-Carmon, "Bridal Veil," Dalia Rabikovitch, "A Slight Delay" *

                                                                                
 
Feb 20  Kahane-Carmon, "Naima Sasson Writes Poetry” *

Week 7
Feb 25 & 27 Ariyoshi  Sawako, The River Ki, Kodansha.

***********spring break **********

Week 8
Mar 11 & 13 Simin Daneshvar, Savushun, Mage

Week 9
Mar 18 Ling Shu-hua, “The Night of Midautumn Festival,” Hsiao Hung, “Hands”*
Mar 20 Xi Xi, “Curvaceous Dolls,” Li Ang, “A Woman Like Me”*

Week 10
Mar 25 & 27 Orly Castel-Bloom, Dolly City, Loki Books.

SECOND PAPER DUE March 27 IN CLASS

Week 11
Apr 1 & 3 TBA*

Week 12
Apr 8 & 10   Yoshimoto Banana, Kitchen, Pocket Books.
 .
Week 13
Apr 15 & 17 Forough Farrokhzad, selections*
                                                                                    
Week 14
Apr 22 Yona Wollach, selections*
 

Apr 24  Conclusion
THIRD PAPER DUE APRIL 24 IN CLASS