Course Catalog

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Course Catalog

THE ART OF SCREENWRITING (CL2028)

In Art of Screenwriting students consider the elements necessary for successful screenwriting practices, with close attention to the theory of screenwriting as influenced by other arts. In particular, a close emphasis of the course is on the art of narrative and the central role played by adaptation of novels in screenwriting practice. Character development, structure, dialogue and conflict are analyzed through exemplary scripting such as in the works of Jane Campion, Roman Polanski and others. The course culminates in a hands-on guided approach to scriptwriting by students.

TOUCHSTONES OF WORLD LITERATURE (CL2033)

Using Asia as a geographic rather than a linguistic or cultural marker, this course provides a survey of landmark literary texts drawn from some four millennia of creative activity on the continent, beginning with the earliest surbviving literary epic from Mesopotamia and including classics from ancient India, Arabia, Persia, Japan, and China, to the Ottoman Empire.

ENGLISH LITERATURE BEFORE 1800 (CL2051)

Begins with Old English literary texts, then examines selections from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the conventions of Middle English drama and lyrics, earlier Renaissance styles of lyric poetry (Wyatt, Surrey, Sidney), and then Shakespeare's sonnets and a major Shakespeare play. Reviews the dominant styles of Metaphysical and Cavalier poetry (Donne, Herbert, Marvell, Crashaw, Suckling, Waller, Milton).

ENGLISH LITERATURE SINCE 1800 (CL2052)

From the Romantic period, covers major examples of: prose - the transition from the 19th century models to Modernist experimentation; poetry - the development of modern poetic form and the fortunes of European hermetic influence in an increasingly politicized century; and drama - examples of absurdist and left-wing drama which have dominated the British stage since the 1950s.

MODERN LATIN AMERICAN & SPANISH LIT. (CL2054)

Traces modern continental and Latin American literature from the Molieresque comedy of Moratin to the magical realism of Garcia Marquez. Readings include Spanish authors (fiction by Galdos, Unamuno, Cela, Goytisolo), Spanish-American writers (poetry of Neruda, Paz and tales by Borges, Rulfo), and one Brazilian writer (Clarice Lispector). Conducted in English. Written work accepted in English or Spanish.

RISE OF THE HERO & THE POET IN FRENCH LIT (CL2057)

Engages with the canonical texts and counter-texts of French literature across its long span, from the Middle Ages to the present. French literature was the first vernacular literature to emerge on the European scene and until relatively recently it remained the most influential.

This panoramic overview of French literature is anchored in bilingual editions, inviting participants to interact closely with the French originals and their facing English translations (including The Song of Roland, François Villon, Voltaire’s Candide, a Beckett play). Depending on the individual student’s needs, supporting readings will be recommended in French or English. Written work may be submitted in either language. French is not a requirement, but the better the student’s level, the more he or she will benefit from the course.

Fulfills the Medieval period requirement for the major in Comparative Literature. Original language option.

TALES FROM CENTRAL EUROPE (CL2059)

The end of the Cold War raised numerous questions concerning the boundaries of what had once been known as Mitteleuropa—a large swath of territory at the geographic heart of Europe, much of which belonged to the multi-ethnic Habsburg Empire before World War I. For writers like Milan Kundera, “Eastern Europe” was a misnomer when used to refer to nations such as Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, whose cultural heritage, during previous centuries, had been intimately bound to that of their western neighbors. In this course, we explore how the shared cultural legacy of this extraordinarily diverse region—diverse in its ethnicities, religions and languages—manifests in its literature. Topics discussed include history, black humor, music, irony, sexuality, the rise of ethnic nationalism, the fate of the region’s Jews, and the legacies of both the Holocaust and Soviet control. We also consider the dissemination of modernity in "peripheral" cities such as Warsaw, Budapest or Zurich.

A study trip to Vienna includes visits to legendary cafes, museums, and concert halls. This course may additionally feature guest appearances by authors and translators (in person or by Skype), as well as cinematic representations of themes explored in assigned texts.

WORLDS OF WINE I: FRANCE (CL2060)

This course explores the history of French vineyards and winemaking and French literature about wine from the Middle Ages to twentieth century. We will first learn about winemaking methods and the science of wine production, before looking at the history of French winemaking and “terroirs” from Antiquity to the present. This course immerses students in the notions of “taste” and “terroir” as important elements in the production of a distinctive French cultural identity. Students will focus on the history and production of wine in major winemaking regions (which vary from semester to semester), read French texts celebrating wine, and receive formal wine education to develop their sense of taste. The course includes a study trip.

WORLDS OF WINE II: FROM MED BASIN TO THE WORLD (CL2061)

This course retraces the history of a plant, vitis vinifera vinifera, from its origins in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean basin to contemporary vineyards spread across five continents. This course will focus in detail on the history of world wine industries, winemaking processes, and the wine styles of the world’s major wine producing regions outside of France. The historical readings in the course will serve as context for creative and literary research projects. This course has an accompanying study trip.

THEATER IN PARIS (CL2075)

This course essentially happens in the theatres of Paris, exploring the city’s fabulous resources, exchanging with practitioners and scholars from other institutions. We see ways of integrating music, dance and “physical theatre,” innovative explorations of classics from European and non-European traditions, avant-garde masters and the brightest young experimental troupes. We have theatre that directly questions political dilemmas, collective theatre and director-driven theatre, machine theatre and theatre based around great individual actors. Papers done in French or English.
Course fee atttached.