First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-24)

Topic

Touring the Eighth Circle of Hell: Representations

Instructors

Kaitlin Lorraine Browne

Meeting Info

Allison Residential Comm 1021: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Touring the Eighth Circle of Hell: Representations of Fraud in Literature and Film

In The Inferno, Dante reserved the penultimate circle of hell for those guilty of fraud, who he divided into ten categories: panderers and seducers, flatterers, simoniacs, soothsayers, grafters, hypocrites, thieves, fraudulent counselors, sowers of scandals, and falsifiers. Taking Dante's tour through the eighth circle of hell as inspiration, this class will look at medieval and contemporary representations of fraud and their intersection with race, gender, economics, and genre. We will read literary works including Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale" as well as watch films like Hustlers. Grounding our exploration in critical theory, we will discuss Plato's concept of "true lies," explore Immanuel Kant's work on dishonesty, and examine other philosophers' perspectives on fraud and deception. This class is designed to improve your critical reading and writing skills. Assessment will be based on participation and writing assignments.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar