Global Studies 2680

Meetings & Instructors

Class Sessions

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

2:00-2:50pm, Bate 1026

Dr. Jacob van der Kolk
vanderkolkj23@ecu.edu

Office Hours
via WebEx (reservation required) and in Bate 3306
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:00am-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm
or by appointment

Justin Smith
Learning Assistant
smithju23@students.ecu.edu

Course Description and Objectives

Why do fairy tales still capture our imagination, even as adults? In this course we will explore our timeless fascination with the genre through the reading, viewing, and discussion of select fairy tales from the sixteenth century through Hollywood’s latest creations. In our study we will discuss topics central to a nuanced understanding of fairy tales and their societies. These subjects include fairy tales' structure, their commentary on gender, their aesthetic of violence, their definition of beauty, and their depictions of otherness.

The course schedule is generally segmented according to theme, allowing us to contrast different cultures’ commentaries on a subject by examining thematically related texts. After reading our texts, we will reflect on and critique various modes of understanding (Freudian, Jungian, feminist, Marxist, etc.) as a class.

Humanities Competency

The humanities challenge students to critically examine their and others' beliefs, particularly on "what it is to exist as a human being." Humanities courses address issues that have captured our attention for over 3000 years, including life’s aesthetic, ethical, and moral dimensions. They require students to learn methods of critical analysis and to understand the value of knowledge. Humanities courses contribute to each student’s understanding of how to choose a life worth living.

The following program learning outcomes define the Humanities Competency.

Students who have completed the General Education Humanities requirements can:

1. Distinguish artistic, literary, philosophical or religious creations from other types of work and describe how they address enduring human concerns and the human condition.
2. Apply discipline-specific criteria and evaluate the significance of specific literary, artistic, philosophical or religious works to enduring human concerns and the human condition.
3. Apply discipline-specific knowledge in the humanities to contrast their understanding with that of others of the significance of specific artistic, literary, philosophical or religious works to enduring human concerns and the human condition.

GLST 2680 Course-Specific Student Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to master the following General Education Humanities and Course-Specific student learning outcomes: (Humanities Competency = "HUC" and Course-Specific Competency = "CSC"). Students who have successfully completed this course are able to:

1. Distinguish fairy tales from other literary and filmic texts in terms of content, structure, and style (HUC1).
2. Explain the relevance of fairy tales to understanding human concerns and our shared human condition (HUC1).
3. Apply literary critical analysis to illuminate and analyze ideas germane to understanding our shared human condition (HUC2).
4. Apply knowledge gained from studying fairy tales to enduring human concerns (HUC3).
5. Evaluate primary sources critically and develop and justify original theses about them (CSC1).
6. Discuss the limits and potential of human perception and understanding (special attention on related Enlightenment and Romantic thought) (CSC2).
7. Describe how the struggle of reason against the passions might be necessary to create order in human relationships and to pursue happiness (CSC3).

Supplementary Skills

In the process of teaching the above objectives, this course will also nudge students to develop best practice aptitudes vital to continuing success in both academic and future settings. Such skills include:

1. time management discipline, including meeting deadlines and intermediate term planning
2. media literacy in reference to the measured use of appropriate tools

Course Materials

Required

1. Links to all readings are provided in the syllabus and on our Canvas site thanks to the support of ECU’s Alternative Textbook Program, sponsored by Joyner Library.
2. Films. We will discuss clips from the following movies this semester. If you have not seen them, I encourage you to do so. They are provided to you as ECU students via the links here and in the schedule of assignments below. You do not have to purchase these films.
   • "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (dir. David Hand et al., 1937)
   • "Schneewittchen" (dir. Gottfried Kolditz, 1961)
   • "Shrek" (dir. Vicky Jenson, Andrew Adamson, 2001)

Recommended, But Not Required

• "Beauty and the Beast" (dir. Jean Cocteau, 1946)
• "Blancanieves" (dir. Pablo Berger, 2012)
• A helpful repository of tales, complete with links to different versions both in English and German from the University of Pittsburgh.

Grading and Assignments

Grading Scale

Participation (20%)

Please let Dr. van der Kolk know if you will be absent for a class, whether excused or not.

For each class, you will receive between -1 and +2 points for your participation grade based on the following criteria:

1. Participation Criteria. To get the "Participated" status for a session, you must accomplish all of the following for the whole session:
   • Engage. You involve yourself in the class, including group and whole-class activities, and make a good faith effort to express yourself.
   • Prepared. You come to class ready and willing to discuss the topics touched on in your homework and previous class sessions. You bring all necessary materials, including a pencil and paper.
   • Cooperate. You support and encourage your fellow students. Be an asset to others, and they will be an asset to you.
2. Absent/Excused is an absence for official ECU activities, military training, extreme personal or medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, and religious holidays. It must have documentation compliant with university policy.
   • If you end the semester with six excused absences, your final grade will be an Incomplete ("I").
   • Excused absences will not count for or against your grade, but you should review the class recordings or see Dr. vdK in office hours afterward to get caught up.
3. Absent/Unexcused is for all absences without a university-sanctioned excuse. See the official university policy on attendance for details.
   • If you end the semester with six unexcused absences, your final grade will be an "F".
   • If you must be absent without excuse, you can recuperate an unexcused absence by meeting with Dr. van der Kolk in office hours to set up a remediation plan. Completed remediation plans are due within two weeks of the missed session, and will involve at least twice as much work as the missed session.

Reading Quizzes (20%)

You will have one reading comprehension quiz as part of each module. You will be allowed 2 attempts on each quiz so that you gain mastery of the material.

Discussion Boards (10%)

You will contribute to discussion board discussions with me and the members of our class up to once a week. The discussion boards build on each other and prepare you for the two-part research project later. You need to contribute to the discussions before their deadlines

Research Project (50%)

You and the members of your group will complete and present a research project in two installments to the class over the course of the semester. The first part will be due near the middle of the term; the second toward the end of the semester. Detailed information regarding the project will be posted on Canvas, along with a scoring rubric for your convenience.

Class Etiquette and Course Policies

In the Classroom

Our class will be a respectful environment, where all students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. Please let me know if anything in or outside of class makes you feel uncomfortable.

• No phones please! Please stay off phones, laptops, and tablets unless required for class activities. Inattention will deduct a point from your participation grade for that day.
• Check email and Canvas frequently as I use them for class communication and posting assignments, respectively.
• Pronouns and Preferred Names. Let me know if you have a preferred name that differs from your legal name listed in the university's records, or if you have specific pronouns that you would prefer.

Out-of-Class Workload

Expect to spend up to 2 hours on homework and other class work outside of class.

Film Viewing

Any films discussed as part of our class materials will be linked to our Canvas site. I expect you to view these films on your own, although class viewings may also be possible, should there be significant interest to do so.

Late Work

For each day an assignment is late, 10% will be deducted from the overall score, up to 90%.

Academic Integrity

ECU's academic policy contains the following:

1. Principle of Academic Integrity
   • Academic integrity is expected of every East Carolina University student.
   • Academic honor is the responsibility of the students and faculty of East Carolina University.
2. Academic Integrity Violations – Academically violating the Honor Code consists of the following:
   • Cheating – Unauthorized aid or assistance or the giving or receiving of unfair advantage on any form of academic work.
   • Plagiarism – Copying the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and adopting same as one's own original work.
   • Falsification – Statement of any untruth, either spoken or written, regarding any circumstances relative to academic work.
   • Attempts – Attempting any act that if completed would constitute an academic integrity violation as defined herein.

NOTE: Academic integrity is fundamental to higher education and East Carolina University; therefore, I will not tolerate acts of cheating, plagiarism, falsification or attempts to cheat, plagiarize, or falsify. If I become aware of a potential academic integrity violation, I will meet with you following the procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity policy. Should I determine that an academic integrity violation has taken place, I reserve the right to assign a grade penalty up to and including an F for the course. See here for more information about students’ rights and responsibilities.

Example behaviors:

Accommodations

East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must be registered with the Department for Disability Support Services located in Slay 138, 252-737-1016. Accommodation Information & Processes.

Emergency Information

In the event of a campus emergency that disrupts academic activities, course requirements, deadlines, and grading percentages are subject to change. Information about changes in the course will be communicated as soon as possible by email and on Canvas. If we are not able to meet face-to-face, students should log onto Canvas and read any announcements and/or access alternative assignments. (http://www.ecu.edu/alert). Emergency info hotline: 328-0062

Semester Schedule

This outline contains all major assignments. Due dates are subject to change if there are extenuating circumstances (weather-related closings, illness, etc.). Any changes will be communicated via email and on Canvas. For daily homework, see the detailed plan online on Canvas.