LITERATURE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA 1

The teaching falls within the characterizing teachings of the China, Korea and Japan curricula of the "Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa" course. Its educational objectives fall within the area of learning cultural and humanistic skills.
The course aims to offer an introduction to Southeast Asian literature in order to instil in students an appreciation for the rich cultural heritages and traditions that emanate from this region of the world.

"Southeast Asian Literature 1" is an introductory course designed for first-year undergraduate students, providing an exploration of literary traditions from various Southeast Asian countries. By the conclusion of the course, students should be able to:
1. Analyze literary texts for the thematic questions of value that they pose.
2. Situate literary texts within the various cultural and historical contexts of Southeast Asia.
3. Acquire analytical tools to think critically and comparatively, drawing on different ideological frameworks.

An open mind and desire to learn about other cultures and traditions

Through an analysis of selected texts, students will have a better understanding of the linguistic, historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape the region's diverse literary heritage. Themes such as identity, community, religiosity, authority, and more will be examined, fostering a humanistic approach to literary interpretation. The course integrates ideological frameworks, including postcolonialism, feminism, nationalism, multiculturalism, and environmentalism, enabling students to critically analyze the texts within broader cultural and social contexts. By the course's conclusion, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of Southeast Asian literature.

Voices of Southeast Asia: Essential Readings from Antiquity to the Present (a cura di George Dutton).
(ISBN-10: 0765620766; ISBN-13: 978-0765620767)

Other required texts will be announced in class.

Route 1:
• Written (1 take-home essay) 40%
• Oral (1 in-class presentation) 30%
• Final exam (10-minute oral discussion on 1 chapter) 30%
Route 2:
• Written (1 take-home essay) 40%
• Final exam (30-minute oral discussion on all 14 chapters) 60%


Written assement: all students are required to submit a 1000-word essay, contributing to 40% of the assessment. This assignment involves applying course ideologies to selected texts, allowing an exploration of literary works using critical theories and frameworks covered in the semester.

Oral assessment: consists of two routes, accounting for 60% of the total grade.
Route 1: In a presentation formed by Week 4 (choosing a topic from Weeks 6-13), the in-class presentation contributes to 30%. Additionally, the final exam includes a 10-minute interview, providing further discussion based on the in-class presentation.
Route 2: If not participating in an in-class presentation, the final exam includes a 30-minute interview covering all topics from Week 1 to Week 14.

For Route 1's in-class presentation, students must communicate their chosen topic (focusing on readings from Week 6 to Week 13) to the instructor by the end of Week 4. Students will prepare and deliver a well-structured 45-minute presentation, including an overview of the readings, emphasizing key points, and incorporating creative elements such as art, music, or videos. The presentation should also feature 3-4 discussion questions to foster active participation and meaningful dialogue.

Frontal lessons and class discussion

English

written