BHUM 12A04 - Inspired Writers along the Silk Road

The reading conferences are part of the syllabus on the Silk Road. The purpose is to read, analyze and explain texts, from travel logs, letters, to treaties, novels and poetry, written by travelers during their peregrinations East and West or about places and people along the Silk Road. These documents will enable us to capture the inspiration and to visit the fabulous countries along with authors from Antiquity till the XX century. We will write fables, letters, and design maps.

The classes will be based on readings and oral texts analysis but also on debating historical issues at stake. Students will be required to share their reading experience, to present contexts and hypothesis, to write texts commentaries and even some creative personal writing. The idea is to make the journey lively and to find links with visual arts and music.

The grading process will include text analysis, oral presentations, written exercises, book reviews and class participation. We will also organize storytelling sessions.

Written Work 40%

An academic research paper, between 3000-3500 words long.

Final Exam - 30% on the syllabus

The exam will be 2 hours long and take place in Week 12. It will be explained in class

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Oral Component 20%

A 10-minute presentation

Free Component 10%

A creative writing exercise

Calendar:

• specific and imperative deadlines provided in class

•The written work will be due Week 10 of the semester

Requirements: all resource papers should be mailed via Urkund.