Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

SLA238H1, Literature of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience, Fall 2024

Class meeets on Thursdays from 1:00 to 3:00 in Alumni Hall 306.

Slavic 238 offers a survey of Canadian literature reflecting the experience or perceptions of Ukrainians in Canada from the earliest settlers to the present. The readings in the course consist of a selection of literary texts in which Ukrainians in Canada are depicted. The works are examined from a variety of perspectives, including history, sociology, politics, and aesthetics. Texts include works originally written in English, French and Ukrainian but all readings are in English. Among the works studied are: Ralph Connor's The Foreigner, Illja Kirjak's Sons of the Soil, Margaret Laurence's A Jest of God, George Ryga's A Letter to My Son, Ted Galay's After Baba's Funeral, and Andrew Suknaski's In the Name of Narid.

The Concluding test will be held on the day of our last class meeting. It will cover material from the entire course. It will include a few factual questions, to make sure you have kept up with the readings, and a few analytical questions that will test your understanding of the material.

Term papers are due after the last class, Thursday, Nov 28, 2024, and no later than Mon. Dec 9, 2024 at midnight. Papers are to be 5–6 pages, typed, double spaced, and in English. Papers are to be written on topics approved by the instructor.

Assignments are brief essays of approximately 600 words (less than two pages) due on the days indicated on the schedule. Topics will be given a week in advance but not earlier.

Class Presentations are oral reports to the class on works other than those read by the class as a whole. Students must choose a work of literature from the list of suggested readings. Students are to give an oral presentation of from ten to fifteen minutes. Presentations should be constructed as a general overview of the work and its author along with a subjective evaluation of the most salient features of the work. Presentations are scheduled on a first come first served basis within normal class meetings. No more than two presentations per class meeting. Email the instructor to reserve a date on the schedule.

Attendance in class is required. Participation in discussion improves your grade. You must read the asssigned texts BEFORE each class. Quizzes are to make sure you are keeping up with your reading.

Students are invited to read Prof. Tarnawsky's paper comparing Janice Kulyk Keefer's The Green Library and Askold Melnyczuk's What is Told.

Plagiarism is not an error or mistake, it's cheating. Don't do it. You will be VERY SERIOUSLY punished. Here's how to avoid it.