Exploring Crime and Punishment in European Literature

Abstract

[University] RGR 400 Crime and Punishment (Section 01) Class #4100 [Instructor Name] Email: [email] Class meeting: Thursday 5 PM to 7:45 PM Classroom: LA1 305 Office Hours: Tuesday 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and by appointment Office: AS 320 Course Description This course focuses on crime and punishment in the European context. As a point of departure, the course begins with Dostoevsky’s 1860 seminal novel, Crime and Punishment, which will be examined in the context of Russian Imperial history. As we move beyond micro-level acts of violence to a macro-level examination of crimes against humanity perpetrated by two leading totalitarian regimes, Soviet Russia, and Nazi Germany, we will do so by engaging with the works of Michel Foucault and Hannah Arendt, two prominent philosophers and social critics of the twentieth century. In addition, because the course examines the history of violence, crime, and punishment through the lens of literature, special attention will be placed on its function to predict, as in the case of Franz Kafka’s In the Penal Colony. Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Introduce students to various literatures of different world cultures, essential terminology, approaches of literary study dealing with crime and punishment, dynamic engagement between literature and social and cultural issues, critical thinking to literary works, provide analytical skills in written and oral format. Read works form around the world, recognize elements of literary genre and technique, research and be instructed about historical and social context concerning crime and punishment, synthesize literary analysis, to write and discuss literary works. Preparation: Since this is a three-unit course, you should expect a minimum of six hours of outside preparation and work per week. Nonetheless, the amount of time necessary to be adequately prepared for class will vary from student to student, depending on several factors. Assignments are intended to complement and reinforce the work done in class. Completing weekly reading assignments, participating in class discussions, presentations, and reflection papers will enrich your learning experience. Grading: Attendance and Participation 25% Reflection Papers 25% Final Paper 25% Final Exam 25% Texts: Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky (any edition) (I have the Barnes and Nobles edition) ISBN: 1-59308-081-6 In the Penal Colony, Franz Kafka (any edition) (I have the Kartindo Publishing House edition) ISBN: [phone]250 Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison System, Michel Foucault (any edition) (I have the Vintage Books edition) ISBN: 0-679-75255-2 Banality of Evil from Eichmann in Jerusalem, Hannah Arendt (any edition) (I have the penguin Classics edition) ISBN: 0-14-303988-1 Movies/ Television Shows: The Russian Revolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AgyDMMVzg Pierre François Lacenaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiWuR-NSLmw Eugène François Vidocq https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3QQpxMw9Ug Les Misérables (1998) by Bille August (Novel by Victor Hugo) https://digitalcampus-swankmp-net.csulb.idm.oclc.org/calstatelb346994/play/42d391c10ed89546 12 Angry Men by Sidney Lumet (1957) https://digitalcampus-swankmp-net.csulb.idm.oclc.org/calstatelb346994/play/10B9E475475EBED6 Sophie’s Choice by Alan J. Paluka (1982) DVD (151 min) Nazi Hunters Series 1, Episode 2, Adolf Eichmann by Timothy Towochatiuk (2019) https://search-alexanderstreet-com.csulb.idm.oclc.org/view/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C2271046 Participation and Attendance: Classroom participation is an integral part of this class and for this reason, it is expected that each student come to class prepared. Everyone should bring comments and questions to class to contribute positively to the discussion. More specifically, participation includes coming to class with a short reflection paper (one-page double space) per each class session reading in preparation for the lecture. I will collect the questions. You will receive a participation grade for each week. All grades can be viewed through BeachBoard. Active participation likewise includes raising your hand frequently, working in pairs and/or groups, and contributing to class discussions. I cannot stress how much active participation contributes to both the success of the class and on your own academic success. I will only excuse absences with a doctor’s note. Reflection Papers: Over the course of the semester students be asked to write reflection papers (one-page double space) on the topics and texts germane to the class. The goal of the reflection paper is for students to engage in a dialogue with the texts and produce thoughtful analysis on the readings. Final Paper: Each student will have to write a final paper (Between 6 pages minimum and 8 pages maximum MLA Format, Time New Romans, 12” Font, …) on a topic of their choice related to the readings and the course. I am...