Prerequisites

Instructor's consent; priority given to senior Asian Studies concentrators.

Description

This course is a multidisciplinary, multimedia exploration of a variety of Asian epic narrative traditions. Students will examine literary, iconographic, and performative aspects of selected epic narrative traditions to see how they shed light on Asian histories, religions, geographies, politics, and aesthetics. Students will choose (and be assigned) particular topics to investigate for class presentation and for independent research.

Reading Assignments

There are two required books, both available at the bookstore:

Richman, Paula, ed. 1991. Many Ramayanas. University of California.

Narayan, R. K. 1998. Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Version of the Indian Epic. Penguin.

The bookstore also carries copies of a recommended text; the articles in this publication also are available online via JSTOR.

Asian Music: Journal of the Society for Asian Music Vol. 26 No. 1 (Fall/Winter 1994/1995). Issue theme: Musical Narrative Traditions of Asia.

Other required reading assignments will be available via the internet and/or on reserve in the library and/or on the course's electronic reserve (E-Res) page (see also http://eres.library.denison.edu/).

Course Website

Much of the information you will need to prepare for class is available on the course website (which can be accessed via the instructor's home page at http://personal.kenyon.edu/~spillerh) and the electronic reserve (E-Res) page (note that the E-Res page is password-protected, so don't forget the password). You should check the Online Course Schedule (linked to the course website) early and often to make sure you are up to date with the course.

Requirements

• Regular class attendance and participation. The whole point of a seminar is for students who are engaged in advanced study to meet with each other and faculty to discuss specific topics and present independent research. In other words, missing any class meeting is missing the point. Since participation counts for a significant part of your grade, missing classes will result in a lower final grade. Participation also means that you are prepared for class when you show up. This means (a) completing reading assignments, (b) completing any written assignments, and (c) have in mind some appropriate questions or points of discussion raised by the reading and/or the written assignments.
• Reading assignments (see the Online Course Schedule (linked to the on the course website for specific readings and due dates). You should complete the reading assignments well before class; reading them twice is highly recommended. I suggest you take notes on the readings as you read. Try to summarize the main point(s) of large sections in short, concise phrases or sentences; you might want to quote any especially summative or provocative sentences in your notes. Also make note of questions you have about the reading (e.g., "what on earth does ontological mean?" or "is the author serious?") Sometimes you will have a specific written assignment related to a reading; this shouldn't stop you from taking your own notes on the text.
• Homework assignments. At times there will be a written homework exercise due that relates to the reading (check the Online Course Schedule (linked to the often for specific written homework assignments and updates).
• Presentations. Students will make a variety of in-class presentations, either as individuals or in small groups, including:
• Focal area presentations. Each student should select a geographic area or culture on which to focus by the seminar's second meeting (Jan. 24). If you have recently returned from a Study Abroad program, you should select a related focal area that you can illuminate with your own personal experience. Each week you should reflect on how the seminar topic relates (or doesn't relate) to your focal area, and be prepared to say something (or a lot) about it.
• Article or Chapter presentations. For some class meetings you will be assigned a reading selection to be summarized at the next meeting. You should be prepared to (a) succinctly summarize the author's main points and conclusions, (b) comment on the selection's strengths and weaknesses, and (c) engage your fellow students in a discussion of the ideas and criticisms you have presented.
• Leading a discussion. At least once during the semester, each student will be expected to lead a discussion of some reading selection that the entire class has read. Leading a discussion means (a) understanding the main points of the article especially well, (b) formulating some kind of conclusion or process that you think will make the selection more comprehensible to less attentive readers, and (c) formulating a series of open-ended questions that will help you lead your fellow students to better understanding.
• Projects.
• Ramayana update. Recognizing that much of the value of Asian narrative traditions lies in their capability to link the past with the present, each student (either alone or in a small [self-formed] group) will prepare and present (on May 2) a project that uses characters and incidents in the Ramayana to illuminate contemporary issues. The medium could be static (e.g., prose, poetry, comic book) or performed (e.g., play, dance, opera, puppet theatre, mime) or something inbetween (e.g., a video game). Projects will be evaluated on (a) how faithful they are to the spirit of the Ramayana and (b) how well they link tradition with the present.
• Lecture/presentation. 15-minute in-class presentation (on March 28) on epic and/or narrative tradition in your focal area
• Final paper. Ten- to fifteen-pages paper, with appropriate sources and citation style, on epic and/or narrative in your focal area. For information on style and citation format, see A Style Guide from the Anthropology Department.

Grading

Final grades will be based on all of the above requirements, weighted as follows:

• 50% Class participation (including presentations)
• 15% Homework (and other selected written assignments)
• 5% Leading a discussion
• 10% Ramayana update
• 5% Lecture/presentation
• 15% Final paper

Policies

• Academic Honesty: No infractions of the Kenyon College Academic Honesty Policy, as set forward in the current Student Handbook and Course of Study, will be tolerated. All work submitted must be your own creation.
• Punctuality: As a courtesy to your instructor and your classmates, please arrive in class on time.
• Late Assignments: Late assignments definitely will be subject to a grade penalty, probably will not be marked and returned in a timely manner, and may not be accepted at all at the instructor's discretion.
• Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability which requires classroom or test accommodations, please see the instructor as soon as possible during a scheduled office hour. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Coordinator of Disability Services (Erin Salva, salvae@kenyon.edu, x5453), who is the individual responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities. All information and documentation of disability is strictly confidential. No accommodations will be granted in this course without notification from the Office of Disability Services.
• Progress: Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress in the course. If you have any questions about your work or your grades, feel free to consult with the instructor.