First-Year Seminars 110NW - Brave New Worlds

This course examines literary representations of worlds and world-making. We will explore how major British authors interpret the idea of the world, as well as how they construct fictional worlds of complexity and beauty. We will consider how the notion ofworld is defined in relation to the cosmos, nature, human society,empire, and travel. A consistent theme will be the depiction of other or new worlds, suggested by places that are remote, abstract, or imaginary.Readings may include Utopia, The Tempest, Paradise Lost, Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Crusoe, and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.