Week of November 28th

Welcome back from the long weekend! This week will be one of some things ended and other beginning, as we finish off our discussion of Snow Falling on Cedars, get going in the book groups, and take a look at what was going on in Germany at the end of WWI.

Monday ... We will discuss a concept that we have been implicitly dealing with all along in texts like Snow and Emperor, and the short story by Jesus Colon which has been dubbed "universe of obligation." If you would like to read more about the French politician whose "slogan" we will be reading in class, here is a link to a great profile from The New Yorker written by none other than Philip Gourevitch (whose book on Rwanda several of you are currently reading).

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/content/?020422fr_archive05

Tuesday ... No class.

Wednesday ... Second meeting of the book groups. Bring your notes (using the handout I gave you in class) to receive full credit for being prepared.

Thursday & Friday ... Germany at the end of WWI and the Weimer Republic.

NOTE: A complete rough draft of the paper on the film adaptation of Snow is due on Thursday and the final on Friday. Your primary homework this week is to keep up with the book club readings. Other assignments (yes, we'll have them) will be announced on a daily basis.