South East Asian Literature in Translation

SYLLABUS

OVERVIEW

Southeast Asia is a region of immense importance to the state of Hawaii whose Southeast Asian residents are more than 15% of the population. The people of Hawaii is increasingly becoming aware of the region's presence in Hawaii through the food and exotic products being sold at various places. However, there is no better medium than literature to understand the religious, economic, socio-cultural and political conditions of the Southeast Asians. The selected post-World War II literatures of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will showcase narratives and images of the peoples of these three Southeast Asian countries.

GOALS

Through this course, students will

Experience the way of life, the society, culture and worldview of the peoples of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand through literature and its closely related art-medium, film.
Develop understanding of Southeast Asian values, customs and traditions through the different stories, poems, essays, plays and novels that will be read in translation.
Become conversant with the social, economic, political and religious factors affecting contemporary societies in Southeast Asia by conducting research on a variety of SEA cultures out of which the literature emerges.
Meet real writers from the three countries and listen to readings in the original languages.
Develop insights and communicate these with others through oral and written discourse.

TEXT

All readings in this course will be put together by three instructors and will be duplicated at the lowest possible cost for the students.

GRADING:

Writing Requirements 60%
Attendance and Participation 20%
Quizzes and Examinations 20%
TOTAL 100%

WRITING REQUIREMENTS (60%)

There will be three (3) major papers in the course (one for each of the three sections – Indonesian, Filipino and Thai literatures. Each major paper should not be less than 10 pages each, typewritten, double spaced, using 12 font size of Times or Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif. Guidelines for writing will be provided by teachers before the writing of each paper. The instructors for each section are the following:

Dr. Uli Kozok,– Indonesian
Dr. Ruth Mabanglo,– Filipino
Dr. Yuphaphann Hoonchamlong,– Thai

The major papers will be evaluated by peers and by the instructors. Students will be asked to do a written assessment of at least one major paper in the duration of the course. This written assessment will not be less than two pages and in accordance with what the instructor requires. A guideline for assessment will be provided.

For purposes of discussion and other activities, the instructor may require shorter writing pieces from students (e.g., summary of stories, reaction papers, etc.)