Literary and Cultural Studies (LCST)
LCST 231. Damsels, Dwarfs and Dragons: Medieval German Literature Refer to GERM 231 for description. 6 Winter—R. Paas
LCST 233. Cultures in Conflict: The Reception of Shakespeare in Germany Cross-listed with GERM 233. Shakespeare was rediscovered in the eighteenth century and rapidly became an icon in the struggle between conflicting social and literary tastes. Although this cultural battle was fought primarily between the French and the English, German writers such as Goethe, Herder, and Lessing were also key participants. This course will focus on the German contribution to Shakespeare reception and will place it within the broader context of the cultural debate in eighteenth century Europe. In translation. 3 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2002-2003.
LCST 245. Introduction to Critical Methods: Structure, Gender, Culture Cross-listed with FRST 254. What does it mean to theorize the way we read? For one thing, it means to reflect on the assumptions already implicit in our reading habits; for another, it invites us to challenge those assumptions to see what might be gained. Changes of perspective can have significant impact, for the set of questions we bring to our reading largely determines the answers we come away with. In this course we will study a range of critical issues and movements, and we will examine how they can influence our reading of texts (prose, poetry, film) drawn from a variety of national traditions. Open only to declared majors of literature or language programs or permission of instructor. 6 credits cr., AL, Winter—S. Carpenter
LCST 250. Bad Girls/Good Art: Gender and Culture in a Postmodern World Cross-listed with WGST 250. This course presents an overview of self-proclaimed or otherwise claimed "lesbian" texts and contexts since World War II, drawn from diverse communities (in and outside the US), and discussed in light of post-modernist and (post)-feminist theories of the construction of gender and of culture. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2002-2003.
LCST 270. Degeneration and the Fin de Siècle In Europe at the end of the nineteenth century, the prevailing faith in forward progress was counterbalanced by the notion that Western civilization might actually be in decline—a decline characterized by neurosis, criminality and social decay. This course will examine biological, anthropological and philosophical theories of degeneration and their impact on the intellectual history, popular culture and belles lettres of the time. After studying theoretical treatises by Morel, Lombroso and Nordau, we will discuss the works of so-called "degenerate" artists such as Zola, Ibsen, Wagner and Nietzsche. No prerequisite, but opportunities for using knowledge of French, German, Russian or Italian. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2002-2003.