Course Description
Summary
Much of modernist writing was a rebellion against the aesthetic values of late-19th century poetry. This course will explore art, poetry, and other media to provide a comprehensive understanding of Modernism from a global perspective. In studying modernist manifestos, we will investigate the reasons that these writers and artists attempted to create radical, new ways of representing the world. Modernists were politically polarized. On the one hand, Surrealist poets and artists, Spanish Civil War poets, figures in the Harlem Renaissance, and poets actively participating in American labor movements were invested in left wing struggles. Meanwhile, other modernists and Futurists held regressive and sometimes outright fascist views. Using literary theory that centers questions of race, class and gender, we will examine the cultural, historical and social contexts of these movements. Finally, we will look at contemporary work that engages in direct conversation with the legacy of modernism. Assignments will include at least one 10-12-page scholarly paper, final presentation, and weekly traditional or creative responses to the readings.
