First-Year Seminar (101-6-24)

Topic

Toxic Parents and Frenemies: The Literature of Gro

Instructors

Laura A MacKay Hansen

Meeting Info

University Library 4670: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Growing up is hard to do, whether in southern Italy in the 1950s or in Sacramento in 2002. This course will explore the literature of growing up and consider some of the challenges presented by difficult parents, deceptive friends, and turbulent circumstances. How do characters negotiate hurdles and forge their own identities? We will look at the novel My Brilliant Friend (Elena Ferrante) and consider a variety of other texts, including the films Ladybird, The Virgin Suicides, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower; the graphic novel Persepolis; the shows Derry Girls and Never Have I Ever; and short pieces from Jamaica Kincaid and Viet Than Nguyen. How are identities both modeled on and forged in opposition to those around us? How do we maintain stability when the community around us is dangerous and unstable? What happens when we outgrow a friend or have a fundamental disagreement with a parent? In this seminar, we will use literature and film to investigate the coming-of-age narrative and to consider these questions and others.

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only