CLL 151 (LT) Studies in Literature: Vampires & Gothic

The gothic imagination, marked by anxious encounters with the “other,” is manifested in late nineteenth-century literature in several ways: through gender, definitions of mental illness, and through literal creation of monsters and vampires. This course will trace the ways in which these motifs—sex and sexuality, madness and monstrosities—were present in literature as a reflection of (or perhaps embodiment of) the cultural concerns of their age, as we examine the relationship between dominant culture and its dark underbelly. We will begin by surveying some “classic” gothic pieces and working on some standard definitions from the Romantic era before seeing how these motifs played out later in the century.   Students will be expected to bring materials and ideas from their own disciplines to add to our understanding of the gothic imagination. May be repeated when topics vary. Cross-listed with CLL 2151.

CLL 151 (LT) Studies in Literature: Introduction to Russian Literature

Beginning with traditional Russian narratives (saints’ lives, folk tales, epic narratives), the course moves through literary history chronologically and thematically, juxtaposing literary texts from each major period. Detailed attention is given to canonical writers including Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Bulgakov, as well as to some current bestsellers from the post-Communist period. Based on the study of individual texts, the course will provide an overview of the literary process in the context of Russian culture. Knowledge of Russian is NOT a prerequisite for this course. All readings are in ENGLISH. Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: May be repeated when topics vary.

CLL 151 (LT) Studies in Literature: Surrealism

This course will introduce the student to the most important and quirky art movement
of the 20th century, Surrealism. Founded by the French poet, Andre Breton, Surrealism sought to create a revolution of the mind by giving a greater role to dreaming in everyday life and art and by examining non-rational, magical, mystical
ideas and cultures. We will study manifestos (Tzara, Breton, Duchamp, Dali, Eluard), poetry (Breton, Eluard, Mansour, Apollinaire, Elytis, Ginzberg), prose (Breton, Carrington, Mansour, Kerouac ), art (Ernst, Duchamp, Magritte, Dali, DeChirico, etc.), film (Dali, Bunuel, etc.).

CLL 151 (LT) Studies in Literature: Expatriate Paris
For centuries, Paris has served as a haven for artists the world over. Poets, playwrights, painters, novelists, musicians and dancers have taken refuge in Paris, often for political, social and/or aesthetic reasons. The results have provided world literature and art with some of its richest works. The course will focus on 20th century literature since Paris served as a lure for artists whom Gertrude Stein labeled “the Lost Generation,” but will include other artists from the Russian Ballet to Josephine Baker, to Picasso and Jazz musicians. Writers studied will include Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, Anais Nin, Fernando Arrabal, Ernest Hemingway and James Baldwin.

CLL 151 (LT) Studies in Literature: Munich in Literature, History and the Arts
This course, taught in English, on modern German literature and culture will use the city of Munich and its surroundings to introduce students to the literature, painting, architecture and other arts of Germany through the ages, as well as its turbulent political history, especially in the 20th century. Select works of German literature will provide the context for an examination of German culture in different historical periods
and in other arts as well as literature. The course will combine academic assignments and seminar discussions in the morning with educational group excursions in the afternoon–around town and in the area–linked to particular topics: for example, Expressionist poems combine with a tour of the famous Lenbach villa-museum, home to the brilliantly colorful paintings of the Expressionist Blue Rider group and a train trip to Murnau, the Alpine village that inspired some of that same group’s best work; or, on a more sober note, a tour by foot of the Konigsplatz, the logistical and architectural center of Hitler’s Nazi Party, will be linked to a visit to Dachau, the notorious concentration camp just outside of Munich. By reading, touring and looking carefully, students will discover the rich complexity of German culture in the contours of the city of Munich and the details of its art. Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes: Courses taught in the January or Summer sessions do not satisfy distribution requirements. By arrangement with the major department, this course can possibly satisfy a major or minor requirement. German majors and minors are welcome to take the course for German credit by completing work in German by arrangement with the professor, along with separate discussions in German.