NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 西洋文學概論(1055)
	(Eng.) Introduction to Western Literature
Offering Dept	Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Course Type	Required	Credits	2	Teacher	Ho, TAI-CHUN
Department	Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures/Undergraduate	Language	English	Semester	2026-FALL
Course Description	This course gives first-year NCHU English majors the opportunity to explore some of the most enduring works of Western Literature from the Gilgamesh epic to the books of the Hebrew Bible to Homer's Iliad. Participants are not expected to read these texts in their entirety but selectively and critically. It is designed to introduce the major concerns and conventions of the Western literary canon whilst encouraging students to think about what makes a literary text ‘classic’ and how it is still relevant to modern readers.
Prerequisites				self-directed learning in the course	Y

Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%)			Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives	Competency Indicators	Ratio(%)	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
At the end of the course, students will be able to: (1) Become familiar with some of the major authors and issues of Western Literature (2) Understand both Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions and literary genres (3) Enhance their reading skills and critical thinking through complex literary texts. (4) Develop an understanding of the formal, stylistic, and aesthetic qualities of literary texts	1.Foreign language skills 2.Professional expertise	50 50	Networking/Distance Education Discussion Lecturing topic Discussion/Production	Written Presentation Attendance Oral Presentation Assignment Quiz
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content Week 1 (9/7) Introduction Week 2 (9/14) Mesopotamian Culture and Literature The Epic of Gilgamesh (Headnote, pp. 54-58; Tablets I and II, pp. 58-71) *Quiz 1* Week 3 (9/21) Mesopotamian Culture and Literature The Epic of Gilgamesh (Tablets X and XI, pp.96-110) *Quiz 2* Week 4 (9/28) Holiday Week 5 (10/5) The Hebrew Bible (Headnote, pp. 110-114, Genesis, The Garden of Eden, The Flood, pp. 117-125) (Headnote, pp. 114-116, The book of Job, pp.152-159) *Quiz 3* Week 6 10/12(M) Guest Lecture from 10:30-11:30 Lecture topic: Space between: Women’s Writing, Travels, and Transnational Encounters from the late 19th Century to the Interwar Period Speaker:Prof. Klaudia Hiu Yen Lee Week 7 (10/19) The Hebrew Bible (The book of Job, pp. 171-177) *Quiz 4* Week 8 (10/26) Holiday Week 9 (11/2) Mid-Term Week 10 (11/9) Review of Mid-Term Headnote, pp. 181-188, Homer’s Iliad (Book 1, pp.189-204) Greek Gods and Heroes Edith Hamilton’s Mythology (The Trojan War, pp. 185-200) *Quiz 5* Week 11 (11/16) Homer’s Iliad (Book 6, pp. 205-215) *Quiz 6* Week 12 (11/23) Sappho (Headnote, pp. 594-596; Poem 16 and 44, pp. 597-598) *Quiz 7* Week 13 (11/30) Homer’s Iliad (Book 9, pp. 215-231) *Quiz 8* Week 14 (12/7) Homer’s Iliad (Book 22, pp. 258-271) *Quiz 9* Week 15 (12/14) Homer’s Iliad (Book 24, pp. 271-29) *Quiz 10* Week 16 (12/21) Final Exam Self-Learning Assignment Watch the 2004 film Troy and submit the written assignment by Monday, 14 December self-directed learning    02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
Evaluation
Grades 20% class participation (based on your speaking frequency and participation in I-learning 3’s discussion questions) 15% attendance 65% exams (quizzes 10%; Midterm 25%; Final 30%) 20% class participation: 0-10 scale system is used. 1-4= didn’t speak but attended the classes 5-6= spoke only a few times 7-8= made a few comments 9-10=talked a lot Any weekly forum submission on i-Learning found to be AI-generated or plagiarized will receive a 0 score, and additional points will be deducted from the student's final Class Participation grade. Continuous violations may result in failing the participation component. Absences ＞Sickness: If you can’t come to class because you’re sick, please apply for a leave of absence via the university’s online system and attach a document which shows your doctor’s notes or your visit to a clinic or hospital. On the day of a quiz, you will need to show me absent notes approved by the university; otherwise, your absence will be unexcused. Grading Rules for Approved Absences: Perfect Attendance: Your base attendance score starts at 100 points. 1st Absence: Your score for the missed quiz will be calculated based on your semester average of the other quizzes. Your attendance score will not be deducted (it remains 100). 2nd Absence and beyond: Starting from your second absence, 2 points will be deducted from your attendance score for each additional missed class (The missed quiz score will still follow your semester average of the other quizzes). This policy is strictly enforced to differentiate between perfect attendance and multiple absences. ＞Tardiness: You should come to class on time. If you arrive late after I take attendance, you will be marked absent. If you arrive after the quiz is finished, you cannot retake it. ＞Other reasons: Please discuss them with me beforehand.
Textbook & other References
Textbook: The Norton Anthology of Western Literature (Ninth Edition) Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
Worksheets containing reading comprehension and discussion questions are available via I-Learning BBC Podcasts: The Epic of Gilgamesh https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080wbrq The Greek Myths https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0093z1k The Trojan War https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01j6srl The Iliad https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bh5x1y Sappho https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pqsk4
Office Hours
Monday 15:10:17:00 pm (by appointment)
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
include experience courses：N

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Update Date, year/month/day：2026/09/06 11:44:05	Printed Date, year/month/day：2026 / 10 / 17
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