English 321 - Writing Under Duress

This is a course about writing fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry in response to authoritarian state power. We will examine the uses and value of literature under facism, including literature’s potential as a form of protest, dissent, and community building. We will read past and present writers to learn how they sustained creativity and activism under stressful and dispiriting, or even perilous and oppressive circumstances. Students will do both critical and creative work. Readings may include works by Lech Walesa, Arundhati Roy, Mosab Abu Toha, Ilya Kaminsky,, Rebecca Solnit, Poupeh Missaghi and Samyak Shertok, and possible films include The Secret Agent, I’m Still Here, No, and My Undesirable Friends.

Limited to 25 students. Fall semester. Professor Myint and Professor Frank.

How to handle overenrollment: If the course is over-enrolled, priority is given by seniority

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Creative writing, workshops, literary analysis, close reading, independent research, archival research, oral presentations.