FRS 003-001 CRN# ??? 1 Unit
Department of Applied Science, UC Davis
Room: 230
Time: Tu hours: 11.00 to 11.50 AM
Instructor:
Prof.
Office hours: TBD (The best way is to catch me after the class)
Office: TBA
Email:
Phone: (925) 422-9761 (
Contacting Me: You can send a message via E-mail. While sending messages to me, please use "Freshman Seminar" in the subject line to help me see it quickly!
I come to
Course Goals
Some goals we expect you to achieve:
As an experiment, we will try first to bypass the learning of Telugu alphabet and try to learn the language directly using Roman (that is, English) alphabet.
There are no examinations. But there will be homework
assignments. Some homework assignments might involve writing brief one-page
reports on what you read.
Reference books on Indian
Epics: There are many books that can be used to supplement the lectures. Here
are three recommended books. These books are inexpensive paperback editions and
can be obtained from Amazon.com. Each of you should get at least one of these
books and read them. (These paperback editions are available for about $20.00).
That is the only way you get a real good feel of Indian culture.
1. William Buck, Mahabharata, New American Library, 1633 Broadway, New York , NY, 1973, ISBN 79-87933
2. Chakravarti V. Narasimhan, The Mahabharata, Columbia University Press, 1997
3. R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana, Vision Books, Vision Books, New Delhi, 1987, ISBN 81-7094-303-5
4. R. K. Narayan, The Mahabharata, Vision Books, Vision Books, New Delhi, 1987, ISBN 81-7094-304-3
Course Outline and Notes.
This was prepared for a 2-credit course. This time, we are offering this as a one-credit course. So we will have time to cover only half as much.
About the
Class and Grading Policy
We meet two times a week, 50 minutes per session.
I intend to conduct this class as an "interactive
and hands-on" class.
Your classroom participation is essential. You cannot
sit passive.
I intend to use the following criteria in evaluating
you and assigning a letter grade.
1. It is possible that ALL of you can earn a A grade; but you have to earn it. I am not afraid
to give B's and C's also.
2. I will take attendance in each class. You can
miss up to a maximum of two classes without incurring a penalty. Any more
absences will affect your grade.
3. I expect you to devote at least 2 hours each week doing the homework assignments.
Each assignment must be submitted in the class on the assigned date (Usually
you will get one week to do your assignment.)
4. In about half of the assignments, you will be
learning to read and write Telugu and in the other half you will be learning
about Indian culture through an exposure to its literature. You may be asked to
read English translations of relevant works.
Grading and Criteria for
Evaluating Your Performance
1. Regular attendance. You can miss at most two
classes without a penalty. After that, you will lose 5% off the total grade per
missed class.
2. Regular class participation. The
participation will be measured as follows.
a. Excellent. Makes outstanding
contributions to class discussions. Reads all "reading assignments"
and more – proactively. Asks insightful questions. Actively collaborates
with other students in the learning process.
b. Good. Makes contributions to class
discussions. Reads all "reading assignments." Asks questions.
Collaborates with other students in the learning process.
c. Fair. Participates somewhat in class
discussions. Reads all "reading assignments." Misses classes.
Collaborates, whenever possible, with other students in the learning process.
d. Poor. Clams up and refuses to contribute to class discussions. Misses "reading assignments." Afraid to ask questions. Misses classes. Does not feel comfortable to collaborates with other students in the learning process
Department
of Applied Science
University of California at Davis
Davis, CA 95616-8562