ARABC-281 Islands: Poetics of the Insular in World Literature
From idealized innocence to fear of the unknown, and through double meanings of isolation and connection, this course focuses on islands in world literatures. Through writings that span the medieval, early modern and modern periods, the course uncovers complex meanings associated with islands and insularities. Focusing on the interplay between geography and imagination in literature, it raises questions about knowledge and uncertainty, spirituality and encounter, identity and difference, and empire and the nation, as well as conflicts between land and water, selfhood and otherness. Works include (but are not limited to) Huxley's Island, Sinbad's Voyages, Gurnah's Gravel Heart, Ibn Tufayl's Hayy ibn Yaqzan.
Proseminar (16)
Credits
1
Cross Listed Courses
LIT-281 MEIWS-281
Prerequisite
Preference to students who had taken at least one WI course in the humanities--not a requirement though
Notes
Texts and media are taught in English (translations/subtitles for films). Students of advanced skills in Arabic read and talk about the original texts in an add-on section.