First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)

Topic

Islands in Translation: Rendering the Caribbean in

Instructors

Barbara Miriam Polster

Meeting Info

Shepard Hall B25: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

First Year Writing Seminar: Islands in Translation: Rendering the Caribbean in Word and Image

We have all heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," but could we also say that a word is worth a thousand pictures? Since the turn of the 20th century, many Caribbean artists and writers have investigated this complicated relationship between language and images, oftentimes even pushing so far as to ask how the circulation of slogans, newspaper photos, archival images, and artworks enters the realm of the political. For centuries, the Caribbean has been at the center of the movement of goods, people, and ideas in the Americas, and its cultural expression, in turn, has reflected this fluctuation. Thus, we might ask: what changes occurred in the 20th century that prompted writers and artists to start playing with/manipulating/redirecting images and text, and what can they teach us about our own moment today? By considering the work of artists and writers such as Aimé Césaire (Martinique), Severo Sarduy (Cuba), Kamau Brathwaite (Barbados), and Coco Fusco (U.S./Cuba) in relation to their historical context-revolutions! the "avant garde"! sovereignty! dreams!-we will investigate the similarities and differences that arise from "reading" pictures and words. You will then use your own words to articulate a position on some of these problems, incorporating research, formal analyses, and class discussions.

Class Materials (Required)

The course will be taught and all readings will be made available in English, but primary texts will also be provided in their respective English, French, and/or Spanish versions for anyone interested.

Class Notes

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.