English 382AN - Advanced Topics in English: 'American Animality'

This course investigates the representation of nonhuman animals in US literature and culture over the last 200 years. Topics include: literary animals and racism; reimaginations of animals by writers of color; animals, gender, and sexuality; taxidermy and extinction; and experiments in representing animal perspectives. Readings in Animal Studies, Black Studies, feminist and queer theory, environmental humanities, and other fields. Authors, artists, and filmmakers may include Octavia Butler, Karen Joy Fowler, Zora Neale Hurston, Jack London, Eadweard Muybridge, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Jordan Peele, Edgar Allan Poe, Kelly Reichardt, Mark Twain, and Jesmyn Ward.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors; Prereq: 8 credits in English.