Movements and Periods (303-0-20)

Topic

Giants, Cannibals, and Critique

Instructors

Cynthia Nyree Nazarian
847/491-8270
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-137

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Giants, Cannibals, and Critique

Overview of class:
How do fantastic figures and imagined places help us shape and critique the real world? This course will focus on early modern French and European literature and philosophy to explore the ways in which the 16th century imagined its "others" and moulded its ideals. We will discuss satire and scepticism as modes for social commentary, situating our primary texts in their historical and political contexts. We will ask how the Renaissance defined itself against the religious, pedagogical, political, philosophical and literary norms of previous centuries. Why did images of giants, cannibals, monsters and imaginary places play such a critical role in redefining society in this period of intense political and religious upheaval? We will also use that long-ago past to examine the ways in which those norms and prejudices continue to affect everyday life today. This course will be taught in English.

Class Materials (Required)

• Rabelais, Gargantua and Pantagruel. (Trans. M.A. Screech) New York: Penguin, 2006. ISBN: 9780140445503
• Montaigne, Essays. (Trans. M.A. Screech) New York: Penguin, 2004. ISBN: 9780140446043
• All additional course readings available on Canvas

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area