English R1B

Other Readings and Media

"Mather, C.: ?Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions?

Shakespeare, W.: Macbeth

Wertham, F.: excerpts from The Seduction of the Innocent

Watson, L.: excerpts from Dark Nature: A Natural History of Evil

Milton , J.: Paradise Lost (Books I, IV, IX)

Dostoevsky, F.: Brothers Karamozov, ?The Grand Inquisitor?

Singer, I. B.: Satan and Goray

Sartre, J.: ?Flies?



Required Films:

Fire Walk with Me, (Lynch)

Mulholland Drive, (Lynch)"

Description

"Evil is a shifting, nebulous notion. The conception of it has differed between time periods, cultures and nationalities. And, of course, its conception can differ between contemporaneous social and political groups ? that the phrase ?Axis of Evil? can be a moral directive for one political party and an object of mockery for another makes this evident. In this course we will study the ways in which Evil is conceived and represented. Our sources will combine traditional literary genres ? poetry, novel, film ? with a few historically situated essays that significantly influenced how Evil has come to be understood and depicted.



As with R1A, the highest priority of this class is to improve students? reading and writing, so weekly writing assignments will be required, as will projects involving student revision and peer editing. However, R1B has the added goal of developing students? research skills as well. To that end, an extensive directed research project will be assigned in the later half of the semester. As per course requirement, completed student papers will total to at least 16 pages, with at least an equal number of pages of devoted to draft and revision. "