All assignments are to completed before the class in which they will be discussed. Please always bring the assigned text to class.

For Wednesday, Apr. 1: Read through the story "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri, available here.
Closely read the first 3 pages (pg 43-45), underlining or marking any word(s) that strike you as interesting, unusual, or confusing.

For Friday, Apr. 3: Reread "Interpreter of Maladies," this time using the close reading techniques discussed in class.
Close Reading 1 due--available here.

Study Guide of proper names--here.

For another explanation of close reading, click here.

Week 2

For Mon., Apr. 6: Read The Namesake, pg. 1-47 (Chaps 1-2).

For Wed., Apr. 8: Read The Namesake, pg. 48-96 (Chaps 3-4).

For Fri., Apr. 10: Read The Namesake, pg. 97-158 (Chaps 5-6).

Week 3

For Mon., Apr. 13: Read The Namesake, pg. 159-187 (Chap 7). Also, Close Reading 2 due--available here.

For Wed., Apr. 15: Read The Namesake, pg. 188-245 (Chaps 8-9).

For Fri., Apr. 17: Read The Namesake, pg. 246-291 (the end) (Chaps 10-12).

Week 4

For Mon., Apr. 20: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 1-76 (The First Phase).

Outline of The First Phase Events available here.

For Wed., Apr. 22: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 77-144 (Chaps. 16-25).

For Fri., Apr. 24: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 144-183 (rest of Second Phase). 1st Essay due on The Namesake-assignment here.

List of Characters for the first half of The Crooked Line available here.

Garden & Cosmos Exhibit closes on Sunday, Apr. 26--information on the exhibit here.

Week 5

For Mon., Apr. 27: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 184-236.

Outline of Second Phase, part of Third Phase Events--available here.

For Wed., Apr. 29: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 236-299. 1-page response paper due on Garden & Cosmos exhibit--available here.

For Fri., May 1: Read The Crooked Line, pg. 300-370 (the end).

Final Study Guide for The Crooked Line available here.

Week 6

For Mon., May 4: No reading assignment. Paper topic on The Crooked Line due by email or in class. (The story we read, "Open It!," is available here.)

For Wed., May 6: Read the story, "Lawley Road," from Malgudi Days.

How to read a short story--Thoughts by Mortimer Adler & Charles Van Doren (from their How to Read a Book) [cut off lines on last page read "although I don't really know why'--from those that satisfy the deep unconscious needs of almost everybody. The latter are"]; other thoughts

For Fri., May 8: Read the story, "Lajwanti," available here.

Week 7

For Mon., May 11: Read the beginning of Moth Smoke, pg. 1-9.

2nd Essay due on The Crooked Line.

For Wed., May 13: Read Moth Smoke, pg. 10-58.

For Fri., May 15: Read Moth Smoke, pg. 59-110.

Week 8

For Mon., May 18: Read Moth Smoke, pg. 111-146.

For Wed., May 20: Read Moth Smoke, pg. 147-194.

For Fri., May 22: Read Moth Smoke, pg. 195-246 (the end).

Group Presentations start

Week 9

Mon., May 25: NO CLASS (Memorial Day Weekend).

For Wed., May 27: Read "The Blind Dog" and "The Tiger's Claw" from Malgudi Days.

For Fri., May 29: Read "The Missing Mail" from Malgudi Days. You can also watch the TV serial version on Google Video, which we will discuss in class.

3rd Essay due on Moth Smoke-suggested essay topics here.

Week 10

For Mon., June 1: Read the handout on bhakti, available here.

For Wed., June 3: Read the handout on ghazal poetry, available here, as well as a short introduction to the genre here. Outline of Final Paper due.

For Fri., June 5: Concluding Discussion and Musha'irah.

Final Paper due Wednesday, June 10 by 5 PM in Gowen 250-Guidelines available here.