Comparative Literature 131 - Brave New World
Fall
2019
05
4.00
Manuela Borzone
M W 2:30PM 3:45PM
UMass Amherst
25763
Mary Lyon House rm 119 (loung)
mborzone@complit.umass.edu
Utopian and dystopian novels. The ability of literature to generate social critique. Readings include works by Huxley, Orwell, Kafka, Atwood, Burgess, Gibson, Piercy, Gilman, Dick, and others. (Gen.Ed. AL, DG)
Open to students in Global Opportunities RAP in Thatcher. COMP-LIT 131-04
See http://www.umass.edu/rap/global-opportunities-rap
This course is named in honor of the famous dystopian novel by British writer Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, with which some students may already be familiar. In this RAP course, however, we will not read Brave New World; instead we will move beyond it as we explore the meanings and implications of attempting to create a braver and newer world from a comparative literature perspective.
We will discuss a variety of utopian and dystopian societies through short stories, novels, films, comics, television shows, as well as news articles, podcasts, and art, and deal with subjects ranging from perfect places to overpopulation, from food insecurity to technology and surveillance, and from consumer/consuming societies to climate change. Some of the materials might include selected Black Mirror episodes, Mad Max: Fury Road, Margaret Atwood's novel Oryx and Crake, Olivia Butler's Kindred, and the anime film Akira.
(1) This discussion-based class fosters the creation of a learning community of students who share a common interest in the world and global-scale issues by welcoming a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
(2) You will practice voicing your informed perspective on many topics in a safe and respectful environment. (3) Likewise, we practice listening and engaging with other students? views, as well as receiving and giving feedback. (4) We work on developing and strengthening college writing skills through short written responses and essay papers.
See http://www.umass.edu/rap/global-opportunities-rap
This course is named in honor of the famous dystopian novel by British writer Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, with which some students may already be familiar. In this RAP course, however, we will not read Brave New World; instead we will move beyond it as we explore the meanings and implications of attempting to create a braver and newer world from a comparative literature perspective.
We will discuss a variety of utopian and dystopian societies through short stories, novels, films, comics, television shows, as well as news articles, podcasts, and art, and deal with subjects ranging from perfect places to overpopulation, from food insecurity to technology and surveillance, and from consumer/consuming societies to climate change. Some of the materials might include selected Black Mirror episodes, Mad Max: Fury Road, Margaret Atwood's novel Oryx and Crake, Olivia Butler's Kindred, and the anime film Akira.
(1) This discussion-based class fosters the creation of a learning community of students who share a common interest in the world and global-scale issues by welcoming a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
(2) You will practice voicing your informed perspective on many topics in a safe and respectful environment. (3) Likewise, we practice listening and engaging with other students? views, as well as receiving and giving feedback. (4) We work on developing and strengthening college writing skills through short written responses and essay papers.