Contemporary debates about gender, class, race, and sexuality through close reading of literary and cultural texts, including poems, novels, film, journalism, and visual images. One 200-level course in creative writing or permission of instructor. One 200-level course in creative writing or permission of instructor. This is a course about the shape and substance of biblical texts. We will be reading selected books of the Bible with the help of studies by a range of scholars, including Eric Auerbach, Robert Alter, Harold Bloom, Elizabeth Johnson, and Walter Wink.
Regular attendance is required.
Written assignments will include a mid-term examination, a final examination, and substantial term essay. Melville's Moby Dick and, from the 20th century, Beckett's End Game and Richard Powers' Operation Wandering Soul . Steady attendance ans participation are expected. Three absences are considered OK, but more than six won't receive credit. Three essays and an exam.