WLIT 211 – World Literature I
Florin Berindeanu
T.R. 11:30-12:45
Survey of literature from antiquity to 1600. May include Western and non-Western texts by Homer, Vergil, Ovid, St. Augustine, Dante, Boccaccio, Rabelais, Cervantes, Sei Shonagon, Basho, and the Baghavad Gita.
WLIT 220 – Classical Tradition 1: Renaissance and Baroque (14th to 17th Centuries)
Florin Berindeanu
T.R. 1:00-2:15
Through lectures, varied assignments, and visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art this course will introduce students to the major issues in the study of early modern art and literatures. The emphasis will inevitably be on Italy, as the place where the physical remains of ancient Rome confronted and inspired such remarkable masters as Michelangelo (as poet and artist), Palladio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Nicholas Poussin (Bernini and Poussin are represented in the CMAI), though some artists — notably Leonardo — resisted the lure of the classical past. From Italy new ideas spread to the rest of Europe and beyond. We will not have much time to study Shakespeare in the course, but we will not be able to ignore the greatest author of the Renaissance period. Like Shakespeare, we will move between the court and the city, between scenes of often-endangered order and scenes of sometimes-productive disorder, in which classical models provided a key cultural and even psychological resource in challenging times. Recommended preparation: CLSC 232.
Offered as CLSC 220 and WLIT 220. Fulfills the Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.
WLIT 225 – Japanese Popular Culture
Margaret Fitzgerald
M.W. 12:45-2:00
This course highlights salient aspects of modern Japanese popular culture as expressed in animation, comics and literature. The works examined include films by Hayao Miyazaki, writings by Kenji Miyazawa, Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto, among others. The course introduces students to essential aspects of modern Japanese popular culture and sensibility. Offered as JAPN 225 and WLIT 225. Counts for CAS Global & Cultural Diversity Requirement.
WLIT 241 – Latin Prose Authors
Timothy Wutrich
T.R. 10:00-11:15
Reading and discussion of such prose authors as Cicero, Caesar, Livy or Pliny. Offered as LATN 201, LATN 401, WLIT 241 and WLIT 441. Prereq: LATN 102 or equivalent.
WLIT 316 – Greek Tragedy
Timothy Wutrich
T.R. 2:30-3:45
This course provides students the opportunity to read a significant number of ancient Greek tragedies in modern English translations. We shall read, study, and discuss selected works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and attempt to understand the plays as literature composed for performance. We shall study literary elements within the plays and theatrical possibilities inherent in the texts. As we read the plays, we shall pay close attention to the historical context and look for what each play can tell us about myth, religion, and society in ancient Athens. Finally, we shall give occasional attention to the way these tragic dramas and the theater in which they were performed have continued to inspire literature and theater for thousands of years. Lectures will provide historical background on the playwrights, the plays, the mythic and historical background, and possible interpretation of the texts as literature and as performance pieces. Students will discuss in class the plays that they read. The course has three examinations and a final project that includes a short essay and a group presentation. Offered as CLSC 316, CLSC 416, WLIT 316, and WLIT 416. Counts for CAS Global & Cultural Diversity Requirement.
WLIT 324 – The Sublime and Grotesque in Literature
Florin Berindeanu
T.R. 10:00-11:15
Early on in Western culture the question of sublime and grotesque was addressed by philosophers and writers. Aristotle and especially Longinus initiated the debate over what exactly made a work of art “sublim” or “Grotesque.” This debate eventually in the 18th century gave birth to the discipline of aesthetics, which is one of the main foci of this course. To that end, in this course we will examine a few literary works in light of the most representative theories around the concept of sublime and grotesque: Aristotle, Longinus, Kant, Burke, Baumgartner, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. Their theories will be applied to some of the most celebrated literary masterpieces written by Homer, Ovid, Dante, Cervantes and others. Offered as CLSC 324, CLSC 424, WLIT 324 and WLIT 424. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.
WLIT 361 – Development of Theater: Renaissance to Romanticism
Robert Ullom
M.W. 12:45-2:00
This course explores the many developments in playwriting, design, acting, and theater architecture across the world. Students read a wide variety of plays in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the history of the art form, but also learn how theater has played an integral societal function as a medium of political, economic, and cultural commentary. Development of Theater II not only explores the development of theatrical conventions in Spain, England, Italy, France and other European countries that lead to the creation of modern drama, but the course also offers an in-depth look at the history and conventions of theater in India, Korea, China, and Japan. Offered as THTR 326, WLIT 361, and THTR 426. Fulfills Global and Cultural Diversity Requirement.
WLIT 370 – Greek Prose Composition
Paul Iversen
T.R. 8:30-9:45
This course introduces students to the principles and practice of composing continuous passages of Greek prose. It is designed to review and to strengthen students’ command of Attic forms while becoming more aware of the ways Greek syntax was employed to express thought. Via practice at writing Greek prose, the ultimate goal is for the students to become more proficient and sensitive readers of ancient Greek. Offered as GREK 370, GREK 470, WLIT 370 and WLIT 470.
WLIT 387 – Literary and Critical Theory
Martha Woodmansee
T.R. 2:30-3:45
A survey of major schools and texts of literary and critical theory. May be historically or thematically organized. Maximum 6 credits. Offered as ENGL 387, WLIT 387, ENGL 487, and WLIT 487. Prereq: ENGL 150 or passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in FSCC, FSSO, FSSY, FSTS, or FSCS.