Modern Arabic Literature

This course draws from the most celebrated works of Arabic literature spanning from the nineteenth century literary "Renaissance" (or "Nahda") to the revolutionary uprising of the "Arab Spring." Focusing on poetry and prose, students will survey the works of major literary pioneers after the mid-nineteenth century, to explore the nuances and controversies involved with asserting the advent of "modern" literary forms within the history of Arabic literature.

Sem-Int Film Noir

Often referred to as the only indigenous American film style, "film noir" in its very appellation reveals that its major effects (for certain modern conceptions of cinema) lay elsewhere. We will examine film noir in its American heyday (1945-1957) and how it came to be a major propelling force in the new European cinema of the 1960's (Godard, and the Cahiers du cinema).

S- War Stories

An inquiry into the representation of war in the late 20th century, this course will focus largely on a single conflict, the recent war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will examine a variety of media: photography, theater, poetry, and narrative, as well as testimonials and documentaries. Our discussions will also respond to readings grounded in theory rather than context.

Self-Reflectve Avant-Garde Flm

Explores modern origin of film experimentation in avant-garde modes such as Expressionism, Surrealism and contemporary results of this heritage. Trying to determine if film is the most resolutely modern of the media, we'll look at cinema as the result of two obsessive concerns: 1) the poetic, dreamlike and fantastic, 2) the factual, realistic and socially critical or anarchistic. Thus, we'll attempt to discover how modern culture deals with avant-garde imperatives to always "make it new.?

Self-Reflectve Avant-Garde Flm

Explores modern origin of film experimentation in avant-garde modes such as Expressionism, Surrealism and contemporary results of this heritage. Trying to determine if film is the most resolutely modern of the media, we'll look at cinema as the result of two obsessive concerns: 1) the poetic, dreamlike and fantastic, 2) the factual, realistic and socially critical or anarchistic. Thus, we'll attempt to discover how modern culture deals with avant-garde imperatives to always "make it new.?

Self-Reflectve Avant-Garde Flm

Explores modern origin of film experimentation in avant-garde modes such as Expressionism, Surrealism and contemporary results of this heritage. Trying to determine if film is the most resolutely modern of the media, we'll look at cinema as the result of two obsessive concerns: 1) the poetic, dreamlike and fantastic, 2) the factual, realistic and socially critical or anarchistic. Thus, we'll attempt to discover how modern culture deals with avant-garde imperatives to always "make it new.?

Modern African Literature

This course will introduce you to recent works by writers and filmmakers from Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Algeria and Nigeria. Throughout the semester, we will explore the diverse ways in which African writers from across the continent address the major challenges of the 21st century: ethnic conflict, political corruption, the colonial legacy, modernity, nationalism, globalism, economic disparity, religious fundamentalism, and terrorism.
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