Class spotlight: Sam Campbell's Global Literature and Culture class

by V. Heisser  |   

Today, I visited Sam Campbell's Global Literature and Culture class, where students explored Thomas More's classic, Utopia. Written in 1516, the book delves into themes of society, governance, and human nature, challenging us to think critically about the concept of a "perfect" society.

One student, Chapin, introduced More's life and the historical context of Utopia. This led to a lively discussion in which students examined key passages and shared insights on ideal societies, justice, and equality.

Tim Derbridge, another student, explained that the Global Literature and Culture course offers an expansive look at literary texts that have held a significant and influential place in various societies around the globe.

Tim enjoys how this course interprets Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance texts to explain past civilizations. Students gain deeper insights into their societies during lectures by reading these works in their historical context. This analysis offers a broader perspective on global civilization, highlighting cultural similarities and differences and the influence of these past civilizations on our own.

Tim finds the discussion portion of each class the most engaging. Students share their thoughts on the texts, referencing passages and exploring diverse perspectives. They also discuss the historical context of these texts, using their research and lectures to deepen their interpretations.

Tim expressed, "The biggest takeaway I've gained from this class—more so than any other—is the wealth of information and history concealed within the literature of the past. Many of the texts we have read have had fantastical and mystical characterizations of the world, yet each author's voice can still be heard in such a manner that allows us to interpret how the real world may have been at that time."
 

In Sam's class, students are challenged to examine themes of world literature and discuss their historical, cultural, and contemporary significance. Sam explained, "Throughout the course, students evolve their definitions of what literature is---ascertaining that the texts from ancient civilizations often grapple with similar themes we find in today's books, movies, and television shows. By dissecting concepts such as emotionality, universality, and mortality in these works, class discussions cultivate empathy and understanding of the historical and contemporary cultures in which these texts were disseminated."