ENGL*3870 - Topics in Literary and Cultural Studies
Course Description
These variable-content courses provide opportunities for topics in cross-period studies, inter- and transdisciplinary studies and cultural studies, among others that are not available in regular offerings. Consult the School for specific offerings in a given semester. Reading-intensive course.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:
- Utilize theoretical concepts and analytical methods to interpret and contextualize works of and tendencies in contemporary culture, such as in literature, film, television/digital media, music, food, clothing, visual cultures, medicine, technology, video gaming, comics, animation, etc.
- Assess challenging or contradictory social and ethical implications of currents and issues in contemporary cultural production and critical theory.
- Synthesize methodological approaches in a recursive process of reflecting and re-reflecting, application and re-application.
- Create an innovative and compelling critical and/or creative project, based on the topic(s), motivating questions, and theoretical apparatus studied in and for course activities and assignments over the term.
- Gain and refine new proficiencies with online research and networking tools and software through online content generation.
- Evaluate diverse cultural works as an active, informed, and critically aware reader, viewer, and listener.
Course Topics
- Historical Groundwork: Taking Art off the Pedestal
- Historical Groundwork—What is Mass Culture?
- Cultural Reproductions—Contemporary Sightings
- Reproductive Technologies—Viewing the Womb
- Reproduction and Consumption—Are We What We Eat?
- Androids, Cyborgs...and Animals?
- Cyborgs, Animals....and Women?
- On Longing; and Gender as Impersonation—Are We What We Wear?
- Race and Mimicry—Repeating, “Racing,” and “Erasing” Cultures
- “Reel Realities”?
- Reinventing the Real (and/or Realism)
Additional Requirements
Prerequisite(s): 1.00 credits in EnglishAssessment
Assessment Item | Weight |
---|---|
Blog Entries | 30% |
Discussions – First Impressions | 12% |
Discussions – Synthetic Readings | 18% |
Final Project: Detailed Creative and/or Critical Proposal | 25% |
Final Project: Five-entry Annotated Bibliography | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.