The Qur'an in its historical and literary context. Students engage the text in translation but develop a technical vocabulary in transliterated Qur'anic Arabic; those who have prior experience with Arabic language are encouraged to develop their skills with the printed text of the Arabic Qur'an. (Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement.) 1 unit - Wright.

An examination of poet, novelist, story writer, essayist, and environmental activist Margaret Atwood’s fiction. Particular emphasis on the wide range of genres Atwood employs and how she engages in what she terms “genre-bending,” that is, how she exploits and transgresses the expectations and conventions of specific genres such as autobiographical fiction, historiographic metafiction, and speculative fiction. Additional focus on Atwood’s use of intertextuality, especially how, as Kristeva would describe it, she “absorbs and transforms” fairy tales and myths.

Anton Chekhov defined the genre of the modern short story--minimal exposition, rejection of dogmatism, meticulous economy of detail, plot integrated with characterization, and open endings. Class time will be devoted to close readings of Chekhov's stories, as well as viewings of Russian film adaptations of his works. We will also learn about Chekhov's life in the context of the then current cultural and ideological trends. Taught in English. No prerequisites.