A note on the pedagogy
Q: Is it possible to teach World Literatures in English?
A: No, unless there is a focus in theme.  No because World Literatures in English includes so many regions and nations and culture, and the Yes is given under the condition that some proper theme(s) is chosen to allow the teacher to set up a manageable context.

Q: Why are you teaching "Indian Literature" when you are not an Indian, nor have you been to India or know any Indian languages?
A: No, I am not teaching Indian, nor Pakistani, literature, and definitely not in the way an Indian academic would teach it.  I am focusing on the literature written by Indian diaspora (see definition of Diaspora). 


Q: But are you sure your interpretation of their culture (Indian, or Indian diasporic) is correct? 
A: No, I cannot be 100% sure, and that is why I need to be careful in learning and researching about their culture. 
On the other hand, what is proper or correct interpretation but interpretation given and accepted in a given historical/social context?  At the same time I try to understand the other cultures, I retain the right to interpret the texts and culture from a Taiwanese perspective. To borrow Hans-Georg Gadamer's terms, my interpretation is inevitably and actively a fusion of horizons. . 

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Issues
  for Discussion & Group Report  and possible texts to choose:

(to be updated as the class develops)

Course -- 2002

Group Report I: Cultural Identity & Representation of India or Indian/Pakistani Women
Feature Films: In Custody, Masala, Mississippe Masala, My Beautiful Laundrette, Fire
Documentaries:  (more. . .)
Literature: Passage to India, Passage to Lahore, other chapters from Meatless Days, short stories by Rushdie & Narayan. 


Group Report II:  South Africa
Feature Films: Bye, Bye Africa, Faat Kine,  
Documentaries:  Long Night's Journey Into Day (on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.)
Literature: A lot!  Please see me. 


Group Report III: Caribbean Disapora and Survival
Feature Films: Rude, Soul Survivor, My Mother's Place, The Harder They Come.  
Documentaries: Caribbean Poetry
Chinese diaspora: Double Happiness, Mom, Mona and Me, 《浮生》 Floating Life , 《愛在他鄉的季節》, 《三個女人的故事》, Happy Together, etc. 
Literature: A lot!  Please see me. 

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