Fall 2025

Comparative study of works from a broad range of cultural traditions that originate from, and provide insight into, vital global locations outside the Western sphere.

Introduction to general forms of reflection on literary discourse.

Introduction to African cultural history by way of a comparative study of major literary works and intellectual thought from representative regions and countries in Africa.

Examines literature and film as distinct modes of representation, narration, and structuring of time, language, memory, and visuality.

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

Survey of cultural critique focused on Latin America as a cultural region and on Latin Americanism as a transnational academic practice.

Literary representations and theories of gender difference. Examines questions of gendered voice in writing and the cultural construction of gender in various periods and cultures.

Studies of the presence and influence of Zen Buddhism and Daoism in Asian literature, with a focus on China and Japan.

Examination of literary and autobiographical texts that raise questions of justice in multicultural societies; links to theories of justice in historical, political, or philosophical contexts.

Introduction to important trends in recent French philosophy, political and social theory, psychoanalysis, ethnology, semiotics, and media studies. Emphasis to be determined by department. Conducted in English.

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 the Divina Commedia and other works. Conducted in English. (Duplicates credit in former ITAL 450)

Introduction to philosophical and critical writings on the nature of art and aesthetic experience. Special attention to technology's impact on art.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Writing of an honors thesis under individual faculty supervision.

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

Intensive study of a theoretical tradition or critical movement, or of an individual topic or thinker, in literary criticism or theory.