All sections of GST 209 study one or more of the arts, or a particular genre or medium, in a cultural, cross-cultural, or historical context.
Attention is given to form, structure, style, and other critical considerations.
This section will set some twentieth-century fiction, drama, poetry, and film in the context of the continuing cultural, political, and military conflicts between Britain and Ireland, which date from the twelfth century. This class presumes that appreciation of art is enriched by understanding of its contexts, and, perhaps more importantly, that our relationship to history and politics is developed by engagement with art. The major written assignment in this class is a research project, begun around midterm, and due at the end of term. Students will also write responses on assigned topics to almost everything we read or watch. Once each, students will present a short oral report or introduce a class discussion on an assigned topic.