Spring 2013

Survey of literary and other cultural texts from the 19th to the 21st centuries, with emphasis on the individual and social change.

A comparative study of the Asian aesthetic heritage of poetry,painting, music, and drama; of literary themes, trends, and myths.

Cultural dimensions of issues in globalization: migration, diaspora, terrorism, communications, climate change, collectives, production and technology, money and exchange.

Formation and development of epic poetry from Near Eastern and Greco-Roman antiquity through the Renaissance to the present. Emphasis on relation to political and cultural change.

Introduction to works of major women writers from the Middle Agesto the 20th century in their literary, social, and cultural contexts.

Representative works from the "fantastic" and related currents within the European, U.S., and Spanish American traditions; reading of texts by authors such as Borges, Cortazar, Kafka, and Poe. Discussion of relevant theoretical concepts and critical works.

Analysis of documentary photo-representation in its historical context through study of the work of selected 20th century documentary photographers and of pertinent critical writings.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Writing of an honors thesis under individual faculty supervision.

Intensive study of selected author or authors in the context of a major literary tradition.

Study of intersections between the literary arts and music, opera, film, theater, photography, dance, or painting.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within college disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College.