In this course, we will critically examine—through close reading—four texts that span the beginnings of written literature in English and contemporary writing. The four texts are Beowulf, “Eveline,” Half of a Yellow Sun, and Sunset in Biafra. Beowulf is the best extant long poem in Old English. It, therefore, marks the transition from orality and folklore to written English. From Beowulf, we will take a big leap to “Eveline,” a short story. “Eveline” highlights not just the sophisticated modern sensibility, but also the subtler and wider array of techniques that the modern writer brings to his/her craft. From the short story, we will move to the novel, and to the impressive tome Half of a Yellow Sun, winner of the Orange Prize. In studying Half of a Yellow Sun, we will not only be taking a trans-Atlantic leap; we will also be underscoring the rise of English from its modest beginnings in the British Isles to the status of global language. It will be interesting to see whether there are any marked differences in the English of “Eveline” and the English of Half of a Yellow Sun. Half of a Yellow Sun and Sunset in Biafra share the same subject matter: the Nigerian Civil War. A key difference between the two though is that the latter is an autobiographical account. How is the autobiography different from fiction? In what ways might we put the two into a productive dialogue that will enhance our readings of both?

Writing Requirements

1. A two-page summary of Beowulf
2. A one-page summary of “Eveline”
3. A two-page summary of Half of a Yellow Sun
4. A two-page summary of Sunset in Biafra
5. A ten-page term paper, to be submitted first as a draft, and then as a final paper after revision at the end of the quarter.

The term paper will be a scholarly essay. In other words, you will be asked to formulate a thesis/claim about the work, and provide a convincing argument for the thesis/claim. As part of the assignment, and to challenge, expand, and refine your thinking about the work, I will ask you to use at least two peer-reviewed, scholarly essays taken from reputable journals. I will discuss the peer-reviewed essays with you, and help to clarify concepts and meaning where necessary.

Furthermore, even though I will be working with the assumption that your 100-level writing classes have introduced you to the argumentative essay, I will still spend a little time to familiarize you with it.

Texts:

• 1. Beowulf.
• Eveline”.
• Half of a Yellow Sun.
• Sunset in Biafra.