Literature Surveys

 

English Literature, 1750 to the Present

Technologies of the Individual: What kind of portrait might we paint that imagines the breathless fears, pulsating desires, and remorseful thoughts that mark the inner spirit of the individual? One of our most coveted desires as human beings is to witness the soul of another human being; one of our greatest fears is that someone other will catch a glimpse of our own. One of the appeals, then, of reading literature is that it provides access to the hidden and complex inner life of the individual. In this survey course, we will examine texts that enjoin the spiritual and mechanical spirit of the age with a dynamic exploration of selfhood. We consider the representation of identity across the visual arts, science, and technology. As critics, and as individuals, we will piece together a portrait of the inner lives we witness and experience.  Taught Fall 2007.

Industrialism and Society: This course focuses on multiple aspects of class and labor in English literature, including the entanglement of industry and religion, the challenges of political economy in theory and practice, and the permeation of captivity metaphors. Texts include: The Longman Anthology of British Literature, Mansfield Park, Hard Times, and Howard’s End. Taught Fall 2006, Spring 2007.

World Literature, 17th Century to Modern

Imagined Societies: In our examination of literary responses to the French Revolution, we explore political rhetoric that advocates social mobility and equality, and we observed contrasting depictions of characters held captive to the social limitations of their economic rank. Taught Spring 2008.

American Literature

The American Dream Revisited: This class explores limitations to the American Dream founded upon racial and ethnic discrimination, class disparity, and gender inequality. Students also prepare group teaching presentations on other areas in American literature, including Native American literature, Transcendentalism, and Southern Literature. Taught Spring 2009.