Literature Around the World

Another course aboard the MV Explorer that takes advantage of our unique journey is Professor John Serio’s International Short Stories class. Professor Serio (full bio) is a specialist in modern American poetry and a full professor of Humanities at Clarkson University. He has been the recipient of several NEH grants as well as two Fulbrights, one to Greece and one to Belgium. He is returning to the ship after his first voyage during the Spring 2005 semester.

By reading, discussing, and comparing short stories from around the world, his students are learning about history and culture through a literary lens. The stories often provide a great introduction to the culture and history of the countries we will be sailing to. I read the assigned stories before we arrived in Chennai and I completely agree with Serio’s students. The short stories introduced me to the Indian caste system and tradition of arranged marriages and served as great complements to the pre-port briefings.

Perri Prigoff, a student at Boston University and one of Professor Serio’s students, told me that the stories in class “have introduced us to India and lesser known aspects of some ports’ cultures.” She continued to say that the stories “provide further insight into what we don’t normally see… they show us something more.” When I asked Perri what she felt set this course apart from a similar class offered back at home, she responded, “At home, you’re so far removed from what you’re studying that it doesn’t hit home and it doesn’t seem like its real.” On the ship, students had the opportunity to learn about the caste system and the cultural and social norms of India, and then step into the streets of Chennai, Delhi, and other places and see for themselves how their class studies portrayed real life.

A visit to a port represented in a story can also reinforce what was discussed in class and many times will add new perspectives. Professor Serio told me that his class intertwines different literary elements with discussions of analysis of cultural norms, traditions, and religion, which are an important aspect of revealing the themes of the stories. The class also reflects lessons learned in global studies and other courses because of the necessary background to understand the various settings of the stories. While you can learn the literary aspects of these stories anywhere, there really is no comparison to seeing for yourself what the various authors are discussing and trying to capture in their work.