Syllabus

HISTORY 41: Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal

(3 units)

Meetings:
Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Regan P. Jomao-as
Office Phone number: 422-6002 local 355
Email address: reganj68@yahoo.com

Course Prerequisite: None

Course Description:
A critical analysis of Rizal’s life and ideas as reflected in his biography, his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and other writings. This course also
looks into Rizal’s influence on the growth of Philippine nationalism, his
contemporaries, and on succeeding generations of national leaders. As a
background, the course includes a discussion of 19th century Philippines with
emphasis on the rise of Filipino nationalism.

Course Objectives:
1. To implement the R.A. 1425 that mandates the inclusion in the curricula
of all schools, colleges, and universities a course on the life, works, and
writings of Jose Rizal and assess the social, political, and educational
significance of the Rizal Law.
2. To contribute towards the attainment of the common objective of all
schools to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience,
and to teach the duties of citizenship.
3. To provide an understanding of Filipino nationalism and patriotism as it
was understood, expressed, and lived by Jose Rizal.
4. To analyze and discuss ideas of freedom and nationalism drawn from
Rizal’s life and works particularly his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.
5. To determine the relevance of Rizal’s social, political, religious, cultural,
and educational ideas to the present.
6. To inculcate the appreciation of what is Filipino through the study of
Filipinos who helped in shaping Filipino nationalism.
7. To develop and awareness of the students’ role in nation building.

Course Structure/Approach:
Class sessions consist of lectures, discussions of readings,
presentation/discussion of audio-visual material, and possible student
presentations/reports. This course requires active participation, thus, attendance is
important and is expected. Assignments will be given regularly to promote
participation.

Books/References:
1. Guerrero, Leon Ma. The First Filipino: A Biography of Jose Rizal. Manila,
Philippines: Guerrero Publishing, 2007.
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 2. Zaide, Gregorio, Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co., Inc.,
2007.

Other References/Readings:
1. Agoncillo, Teodoro. History of the Filipino People. Q.C., Philippines:
Garotech Publishing, 1990.
2. Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and
Spread of Nationalism. New York: Verso, 2002.
3. Arcilla, Jose S., S.J. Rizal and the Emergence of the Philippine Nation.
Quezon City: Office of Research and Publications, Ateneo de Manila
University, 1991.
4. Coates, Austin. Rizal: First Filipino Nationalist and Martyr. Ermita, Manila:
Solidaridad Publishing House, 1992.
5. Constantino, Renato. Veneration Without Understanding. Quezon City: UP
Press Inc., 2001.
6. Churchill, Bernardita R., executive ed. The Journal of History: Rizal
Sesquicentennial edition. Quezon City Philippines: Philippine National
Historical Society, Inc., 2012.
7. Cushner, Nicholas P., S.J. Spain in the Philippines, From Conquest to
Revolution. Vermont, USA: C. E. Tuttle: 1971.
8. Fernandez, Jose Baron. Jose Rizal: Filipino Doctor and Patriot. Manuel L.
Morato, 1980.
9. Ocampo, Ambeth. Rizal Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing
House, 2007.
10. Palma, Rafael. Rizal: The Pride of the Malay Race. Manila: Saint
Anthony Co., 2000.

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Final examination (25%)
These may be in-class or take-home. Guidelines will be provided one
week before the exam.

2. Other Tests/Quizzes/Seatwork/Reports (35%)

The regular tests/quizzes will consist of one or a combination of the
following: multiple choice, true or false, matching, short identifications, and
an essay question covering the content of the lectures, assigned readings,
video, handouts and the textbook. A study guide of all the terms and essay
questions will be given at least a week before the exam.

3. Assignments/Seatwork (20%)
Assignments will be given regularly except during weeks when exams
are given. These will serve both to prompt discussion and to provide feedback
on your understanding of materials covered in the course. You will also have
opportunities to write about campus events related to the course, such as
cultural exposes, movies, and lectures. Also, we may have group
discussions/reports related to the topics covered by the course.

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Grading System:
Overall participation in class discussions = 10%
Midterm and Final Examinations = 25%
Tests/Quizzes/Reports = 35%
Assignments/Seatwork = 20%
Attendance = 10%
100%

Grading Scale:
90-100% = 3.8-4.0; 80-89% = 3.3-3.7; 70-79% = 2.8-3.2; 60-69% = 2.3-2.7;
50-59% = 1.8-2.2; 40-49% = 1.3-1.7; 35-39% = 1.0-1.2; below 35% = F

Course Policy:
1. Attendance
Attendance is expected at all class meetings. Students should notify the
instructor in the event of extended absence. No students may leave the
classroom before the class hour ends unless the instructor is informed before
the class of an unavoidable appointment. Students with excessive absences
will be given a grade of either a W, F, WF, INC, or NG depending upon his/her
class standing.

2. Make-up tests
Make-up tests will be given only for valid reasons which will be based
upon the discretion of the instructor. Make up exams are allowed only under
the following conditions: (1) A student must contact me before the exam or
during the exam day; (2) the student will confer with me in my office to
determine whether a make up exam is warranted; (3) If a student contacts me
after the exam, he/she must provide valid documentation explaining the
failure to take the exam before I decide whether a make up will be given.

3. Incentive
A perfect attendance will earn you an extra 0.3 on top of your final
grade.

4. Academic Honesty
This course follows Silliman University’s academic honesty policy.
Cheating or Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in failure of the
course and possible referral for academic discipline.

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 Course Outline

I. Historical Background: 19th Century Philippines

Specific Objective:
At the end of the unit the student is expected to describe Philippine
society under Spanish rule in the 19th century and how existing conditions in
the colony may have influenced Rizal’s life and ideas.

a. The Spanish Colonial Government

i. The Political Organization
ii. Ecclesiastical Set-up
b. Important Features and Events
i. Opening of the Philippines to International Trade
ii. Growth of Commercial Agriculture
iii. Influx of Western Liberal Ideas
iv. Secularization Controversy

References:
Agoncillo, Teodoro. History of the Filipino People.
Cushner, Nicholas P., S.J. Spain in the Philippines, From Conquest to
Revolution.
Guerrero, Leon Ma. The First Filipino: A Short Biography of Jose Rizal
(Prologue).
Zaide, Gregorio, Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero. (Prologue).

II. The Life of Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

Specific Objectives:
- Have a comprehensive understanding and appraisal of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal not only as a hero and martyr but also as a man, son, student,
leader, and reformist.
- Critically evaluate Rizal’s attitudes, values and ideas like equality,
“universal” brotherhood, righteousness, nation building, self-
discipline, and human dignity and translate them into day-to-day
living
- Emphasize Rizal’s character traits, teachings and qualities as
guidelines of good leadership and citizenship.

a. Family Background
b. Major Influences That Shaped Rizal’s Young Mind
c. Educational Background
i. Training at Home
ii. Education in Biñan
iii. Studies at Ateneo
iv. Studies at UST
d. First Trip Abroad: 1882-1887
i. Reasons For Leaving the Philippines
ii. Activities and Achievements in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain
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 1. Efforts to Unite the Filipino Community in Madrid
2. Writing of the Noli
iii. In France and Germany
1. Ophthalmic Studies in Paris, Heidelberg, and Berlin
2. Publication of the Noli
e. Return to the Philippines
i. Reasons for Coming Home
ii. Activities in Calamba
iii. Impact of Noli in the Philippines
f. Second Trip Abroad: 1888-1892
i. Reason for Leaving the Philippines Again
ii. In Hong Kong, Japan, and the U.S.A.
g. Rizal in London
i. Annotating Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
ii. Founding of La Solidaridad in Madrid
iii. Writing of El Fili
h. In Paris and Brussels
i. Sad Experiences in Madrid
j. Back to France and Belgium
k. Publication of El Fili
l. Second Journey to Hong Kong
i. North Borneo Colonization Project
ii. Trouble in Calamba
m. Rizal’s Second Homecoming
i. Meeting with the Governor-General
ii. Founding of La Liga Filipina
iii. His Arrest
n. Deportation to Dapitan
i. Reasons for His Deportation
ii. Activities and Achievements as an Exile in Dapitan
iii. Arrival of Josephine Bracken
iv. Meeting with Pio Valenzuela
v. End of His Deportation
o. Arrest, Trial , and Execution
i. Departure for Cuba
ii. Arrest and Trial
iii. Execution
p. The Retraction Issue
q. Rizal’s Teachings and the Philippine Society Today

III. Jose Rizal’s Novels

Specific Objectives:
- Discuss and analyze the ideas of freedom and nationalism drawn
from Rizal’s two most important literary works.
- Interpret Rizal’s writings and ideas in the context of Spanish
colonialism and establish their relevance to the present.

a. Noli Me Tangere
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 b. El Filibusterismo

Readings:
Rizal, Jose. Noli Me Tangere, Translated by Lacson-Locsin, Derbyshire
or Guerrero.
Rizal, Jose. El Filibusterismo, Translated by Lacson-Locsin, Derbyshire
or Guerrero.