Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:       LIT103 Contemporary Bhutanese Writings in English

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Sonam Deki, Tshering Choden, Yesodha Chauhan

Module Coordinator:             Sonam Deki

General objective: This module aims to familiarize students with Bhutanese writings in English. It explores the diversity of contemporary Bhutanese writers’ works in English. In non-fiction, deliberation on stimulating editorials from the Bhutanese media on topical issues, including use of relevant philosophical and sustainable development speeches emphasise Bhutan’s policies, GNH and contemporary Bhutanese Values. The ballad provides a glimpse into Medieval Bhutan. The module then traces early modernization in Bhutan through the novel and the short story. The non-fiction prose, Values and Development: 'Gross National Happiness' delivers us to contemporary Bhutan and its policies. The prescribed texts will be contemplated in relevance to Bhutanese social, cultural and spiritual values. The module also seeks to stimulate students’ interest in Bhutanese writings beyond the prescribed texts.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, learners should be able to:      

  1. Write short critical responses on the selected Bhutanese texts for form, meaning and style.
  2. Identify themes that permeate classical and contemporary Bhutanese texts.
  3. Analyse the Bhutanese works encountered with reference to the national ethos.
  4. Relate the texts to Bhutanese social, cultural and spiritual values.
  5. Differentiate the literary genres represented in this module.
  6. Make inter-textual connections among the prescribed texts.
  7. Cite historical and cultural contexts in analyses of Bhutanese texts.

Learning and Teaching Approach: 

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Lectures & discussions

3

45

Tutorials

1

15

Independent study

4

60

Total

120

Assessment Approach:

A. Written assignment: Portion of Final Marks: 20%

A short critical response of 300 – 500 words relating to the national ethos found in the prescribed texts. The first draft will be marked out of 5%, and the final submission out of 15%, of which 5% percent will be allotted to specific improvements made on the feedback received on the first draft. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

B. Presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

Students in groups of 4-5 will work on a poster presentation relating the texts prescribed in the module to Bhutanese social, cultural, and spiritual values. 10% will be awarded as group mark, and 10% as individual mark. Assessment will be based on the ‘Oral Tasks’ rubric.

C. Class Test: Portion of Final Marks: 10%

A written test will be conducted worth 10% will be for 45 min duration and cover 2-3 weeks of material.

D. Class participation and preparedness: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. 5% of class participation and preparedness will be graded before mid-term, and the remaining 5% post midterm. Assessment will be based on the ‘Participation and Preparedness’ rubric.

E. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester. 

Areas of assignments

Quantity

Weighting

A. Written Assignment

1

20%

B. Presentation

1

20%

C. Class Test

1

10%

D. Class participation and preparedness

 

10%

E. Midterm Examination

1

10%

Total Continuous Assessment (CA)

 

70%

Semester-End Examination (SE)

 

30%

Pre-requisites:

Subject matter:

  1. Novel
    • Close reading and analysis of The Circle of Karma by Kunzang Choden
    • Understanding the setting of the novel: place and time
    • Characterisations
    • Plot development
    • Themes explored in the novel
  2. Ballad
    • Close reading and analysis of The Ballad of Pemi Tshewang Tashi – A Wind Borne Feather by Dasho Karma Ura
    • Features of a Ballad
    • Themes
    • A Historical and Cultural reading of the text
  3. Short Stories
    • Close reading and analysis of Karma by Dasho Kinley Dorji
    • Narrative Technique employed in the story
    • Characterisation
    • Themes
  4. Non-fiction Prose
    • The tutor will choose one stimulating editorials from the Bhutanese media on topical issues from the past year for a close reading and analysis
    • Close reading and analysis of Many Questions, Few Answers by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rimpoche (). Many Questions Few Answers.
    • Close reading and analysis of the statement made by the former Prime Minister HE Jigme Y. Thinley at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development at Rio de Janeiro on 20th June, 2012. AND/OR Gross National Happiness: Vision for a Turbulent World by HE Jigme Y. Thinley.
    • Close reading and analysis of ‘Lest We Cross the Threshold’ from Right of Vision & Occasional Views by Thakur S. Powdyel
      • Influence of the intended audience on the style of the prose
      • The Author's voice in non-fiction prose
      • Understanding GNH and the development of contemporary Bhutanese values

Reading List:

  1. Essential Reading (A compiled coursepack of the shorter reading materials will be made available to students)
    • Choden, K. (2005). The Circle of Karma. Penguin Global.
    • Dorji, K. (Karma). (2008). The Realm of Happiness. Thimphu: Siok Sian Pek-Dorji.
    • Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (2010). Many Questions Few Answers. Retrieved from http://shingkhar.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-by-dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse.html
    • Powdyel, T.S. (2015). ‘Lest We Cross the Threshold’ in The Right of Vision and Occasional Views. New Delhi: Omega Traders.
    • Thinley, J. (2012). Statement at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20). Rio de Janerio. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/16693bhutan.pdf
    • Thinley, J.Y. (2013). Gross National Happiness: Vision for a Turbulent World. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/RTC/Downloads/Jigmi%20Thinley_9%20Dec%202013_Chula.pdf
    • Ura, K. (2002). The Ballad of Pemi Tshewang Tashi: A Wind Borne Feather. Bangkok: Allied Printers.
  2. Additional Reading
    • Kinga, Dr. S. (n.d.). The Attributes and Values of Folk and Popular Songs. Retrieved from http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/publicationFiles/JBS/JBS_Vol3No1/5.songs.pdf
    • Tashi, T. (2013). Myth and Memory: Untold Stories of Bhutan. Bhutan Publishing House.

Date: December 20, 2015

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Royal Thimphu College