General Studies (GNST) 203 - Lecture 98
Great Ideas across Cultures
Winter 2007
Wednesdays 18.30-21-45, PF 114  

Instructor:	Mr. Andrei Zlatescu, M..A,, Ph.D. candidate
Office Location:	345
Office Phone:	220-7706
E-Mail:	anz@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://www.freewebs.com/comcul/
Office Hours:	T,W, R, 17.45-18.25

Course Description

What are cultures and what are the borders of designated traditions? Can modern cultures be understood as variations of traditional cultural perspectives? What is the meaning of cultural diversity in a globalizing world? Could the comparison of myths reveal the basic imaginative unity of humankind? The holistic study of humanity has introduced new scientific methods for the comparative examination of people, their values and their ways of life. Originating in the cultural anthropologies developed in the last decades, the new theoretical approach to human activities applies structural and dynamic perspectives to the analysis of cultures and observes the tension between locality and globalization in cultural practices. Students will read classic or exemplary texts from different mythologies of the World, and will learn to discuss the functions of the myths in the lives, imaginations and ethical value systems of various communities. The interdisciplinary methodology, which includes blended instructional patterns, such as periodical Blackboard forums, in-class student presentations or frequent class-discussions, introduces key-terms from religion, philosophy, history, politics and psychology. The expositions will engage in both theoretical and historical descriptions of the planet’s major cultural traditions, offering the new learner an insight into the various social landscapes of the modern world.

Objectives of the Course

This is an intensive-learning course, aimed at familiarizing the beginner-level with the basic notions, vocabulary and approaches employed in Communication and Culture.

The student is expected to gain knowledge of basic notions and methodologies of critical/ analytical thought from disciplines like the Study of Civilizations, Social and Cultural Anthropology, The History of Religions, Comparative Literature.

The learners will locate the major myths of the world in space and time and will learn to describe the great narratives as part of their designated cultural geographies. A learner in the field should also be able to compare and to contrast intellectual paradigms by applying basic interdisciplinary methods of research to designated texts selected from Scott Littleton's Mythology.

By the end of this course, the student will be expected to understand the meaning of technical notions such as possible worlds, imaginary domains, specificity, location, functions, dynamics and hybridization in the analysis of mythological narratives and cultural discourses.

Textbooks and Readings:

C. Scott Littleton, Mythology, The Illustrated Anthology of World Myth and Storytelling, Duncan Baird Publishers, London, Great Britain.

Blackboard intraweb, Course Documents, designated postings.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: Yes

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Additional Information

Assignments and Weight:

1. Class presentation - 20% 2. Class participation and presence on Blackboard Forums - 20% 3. Midterm - open book - 20% 4. Essay. Comparison - 7 pages - 20% 5. Final exam - open book - 20%

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.