Mar 28, 2024  
Catalogue 2017-2018 
    
Catalogue 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ENGL 280 - Modernism, Sexuality and Science, 1890-1950

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)


The development of literary modernism in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth century coincides with the emergence of sexual science. In this historical moment, literary authors and scientists shared an interest in developing new forms of expression to understand sexuality and articulate sexual possibilities. This course examines how a range of canonical and lesser-known authors negotiated scientific ideas about sexuality in novels, short stories and autobiographical works. It also investigates how literature shaped scientific understandings of sexuality. Students discover tensions as well as moments of exchange and collaboration between literary and scientific writers. The course covers diverse sexualities and focuses on the intersections of sexuality and gender, class, race, age, nationality, citizenship and religion. Literary texts may include Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Gertrude Stein’s “Melanctha”, E.M. Forster’s Maurice, Mina Loy’s “The Black Virginity”, Bryher’s Development, Dorothy Richardson’s Pilgrimage, D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, Radclyffe Hall’s The Well of Loneliness, Djuna Barnes’ Nightwood, H. D.’s Tribute to Freud, and Carson McCuller’s The Member of the Wedding. Jana Funke.

 

Two 75-minute periods.



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