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Fall 2008 Schedule of Classes: Graduate

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691 -- Literature and Music

Moebius, 428 Herter Hall
M 4:00-6:30

Lecture. Examination or three major aspects of the relation of literature to music: Music as a phenomenon (social, political, psychological) to be made comprehensible through literary or cinematic discourse; music as a pattern of feeling or of understanding to be imitated in literary or cinematic discourse; music as a mode of interpretation of translation of poetry or drama. Our inquiry will take into account questions of complementary patterns in music, drama and poetry, and of the political and social effects of music portrayed in the novel or in film. Readings: selected writings of Plato, Aristotle, Schopenhauer, Wagner, Diderot, Mann, Mallarmé, and Valery. Various essays on prosody, expression and imitation, compositions of Josquin des Pres, Purcell, Wagner, Schubert, and Sting, among others. Prerequisites: some knowledge of one or more European romance languages will be extremely helpful. Persons without any of the above should consult instructor before enrolling.

695A -- International Film Noir

Levine, 328 Herter Hall
W 3:35-7:35

Lecture. 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). How film noir displaces American social mores and their constitution of "reality" within the imaginary and symbolic fields, and within the symptomatic concretization of those fields that is normative (dominant) cinema. How film noir both makes film different and allows already latent difference to be manifested. How film noir takes shape in the U.S. as expression of the inexpressible (and the ‘unheimlich”) or, at least, of the allusion to it; which in the lens and on the screen of directors such as Godard and Fassbinder becomes pseudomorphic, presenting a critique of American imperialism both public (political) and private (psychic) – the American way of death and love (or, as the title of one work would have it, Love & Napalm: Export USA). Films by: American directors such as Aldritch, Ray, Fuller, Kubrick, Welles; Foreign agents such as Lang, Ophuls, Siodmak, Sirk, Von Sternberg; European directors such as Godard, Fassbinder, Wenders. Prerequisite: 2 prior film courses or permission of instructor.

703 -- Contemporary Literary Theory

Hicks, 303 Herter Hall
Th 4:00-6:30

The purpose of this seminar is two-fold: to provide something of a broad-based foundation for reading literary theory and to sample and engage recent work in the field. More precisely, the course will give participants a chance to (re)read and discuss texts which have been fundamental in the development of four basic approaches: (psychoanalytic, formalist/structuralist, Marxist/historicist and poststructuralist/deconstructive) to the study of literary and other cultural texts; it will also ask them to survey ways in which a variety of more recent theorists have both taken up and challenged assumptions inherent in one or more of these four analytical fields. (In the latter section, particular emphasis will be given to feminist and postcolonial studies.) Throughout the semester, we will focus on the move from theory to method: participants will be urged, in a variety of ways, to contribute examples for discussion as well as to examine, and defend, their own methods and conclusions. There will be two 10-12 page essays and a final exam.

751 -- Theory and Practice of Translation

Tymoczko, 411 Herter Hall
Th 1:00-3:30

A many-sided consideration of the practical problems and theoretical issues raised by translation. Consideration will be given to recent research on the role of translation and translated literature in the history of literary development; special attention will be paid to the politics of translation also. Practical aspects to be discussed include translation of genre and form (including poetry, dramatic literature), language register and tone, metaphor and imagery, word play. Lecture/discussion with workshop elements. Readings: translation theorists; philosophers, linguists. Requirements: one historical analysis, one translation project, class participation. Prerequisites: proficiency in a language other than one's native tongue.

753 -- Advanced Translation and Technology

Gentzler, 19 Herter Hall
Tu 4:00-6:30

Once considered primarily a linguistic activity, translation has evolved into a complex language engineering practice involving information technology, computer memory tools, and sophisticated graphics editing and desktop publishing skills. This course covers a range of advanced translation techniques and technologies, including project management, html, Internet authoring and file-sharing, software localization, and computer memory tools. The class will follow a workshop format, with students presenting work in progress and sharing their knowledge of the computer tools used. Knowledge of one language other than English required. Successful completion of Translation and Technologies highly recommended. Grades based on discussion, workshop presentations, learning new technologies, and a final project.

895A -- Dissertation Research Seminar

Portugues, 320 Herter Hall
W 4:00-6:30

Seminar format. Designed primarily as a writing seminar/workshop for advanced graduate students in the humanities and arts as a forum for individual and collaborative writing and research, including drafting of the dissertation prospectus and chapters; preparation of abstracts and proposals for publication of journal articles; academic conference presentations; job letters and resumes; and submission of proposals for fellowships, grants, and doctoral research funding. Students are encouraged to share information on funding sources and professional academic opportunities, present their own work, and critique others' presentations.

 

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