Week 1: Independent Study

I ask myself: as members of today's society are we even able to define ourselves as who we are without listing what we do for a living, what we own/wish to own or what we do for entertainment?

Week 1: Calvino

Really really looking forward to this one. Looks like a decent class size with people who will talk. Also, very excited by the syllabus-- 4 books, but only selections, and minimal papers, with short page length requirements. Very excited. Love Calvino, this is sure to be a great class and a great quarter.

Thus far, I have only read If on a winter's night a traveler but I loved it. If you like reading, and especially enjoy a new experience in reading -- such as post modernist works-- I highly recommend it.

Final Papers: Cervantes

My final paper for this class was not emblematic of anything, except perhaps the fact that I was unable to focus. I am sure my grade will suffer as a result of my non-existent argument in this final paper. This non-connectedness, however, was not entirely my fault.

While writing this paper, (I was right in the middle of the "establishing my argument" introduction portion) I was informed that my father (who lives in Tennessee) was admitted to the hospital for suffering from a heart attack. As overcome with worry as I was, I still proceed to write my paper, as I got to the middle (quoting other educated professionals on the topic to prove my point) I was informed that he had suffered another mild heart attack while in the hospital. As I moved on to quote another critic and relate all this to the overall theme of my paper, I was informed that my father had a blood clot that moved and filled his lungs with fluid. And, finally, as I was sitting on pins and needles awaiting the call to tell me if the operation of implanting the first stint in his artery was successful-- I concluded my paper on Don Quixote. Needless to say, my final paper may not have been as impressive as I was hoping.

However, the thing to remember about this class is this: Don Quixote is a great read. Yes, it is long. But, it is funny. very funny. try it. you'll like it.

Final Papers: Intro to Graduate Study

I finished my final paper, with a short extension granted by the professor due to my family emergency. It was on the topic of Calvino's If on a winter's night a traveler which I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading. I discussed in my final paper how Calvino uses the second person pronoun "you" to draw the reader into the story, essentially making him or her a character.

This was my first taste of Calvino and I have been very impressed. Next quarter, I am enrolled in the Calvino class-- and looking forward to it!

Week 3: Cervantes

I was out sick.

I'm really frustrated with being sick. And it is unfortunate that I had to miss a class I enjoy because I overworked myself with my 12 hours of work and my coughing was out of control. I am sure the others in the class are glad I wasn't there to annoy/infect them. I am looking forward to next week. Hopefully I am better.

Week 3: Intro to Graduate Study

This week we discussed critical approaches to literature and how developing our interpretive skills allow us to grow as a reader. This was actually a great discussion, and I would have liked to participate, if for no other reason than to argue the opposing point (that all this interpretation is BS). But, instead I coughed.. and coughed... and coughed... and left early.

Week 2: Cervantes

We discussed, at length, Daphnis and Chloe. It is an old Greek novel which illustrates a pastoral love story of two very naive teenagers.

Also I think I may have agreed to give my 20 min presentation on this topic. Oops.

Week 2: Intro to Graduate Study

I am still sick. I coughed the whole time. We discussed Northanger Abbey. During the break everyone gave me suggestions on what to do to stop coughing. I'm sick of suggestions, and death stares.

Paper Due : Monday October 3rd. Topic-- Northanger Abbey  -- Ugh.

Week 1: Cervantes

Our 45 minute introductory class covered the following:

1. passing out the syllabus
2. there are 2 class dates we need to make up b/c the prof will be out of town
3. writing trivial facts about ourselves on note cards

End of class. See you next week.

Week 1: Introduction to Graduate Study

So, I am finally taking the only required course for MALit students. Basically this course is designed to introduce you to writing research/term papers and reading novels. Probably would have made sense to take this class first-- but since they only offer it in Fall and I started in Winter, I have completed 4 classes (term papers and all) before taking this one. Oh well.

The first week was just introductions. Basically, I sat in the room coughing up a lung (bronchitis) and assuring everyone that I was no longer contagious. We have to read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen for next week. I have already read it, I didn't enjoy it. I have started it again-- still not thrilled. Hopefully I get through this first round of boring female writers so I can move on to other more interesting (though, in the case of our next book, highly over-taught ) literature.

Other observations from the first week;
1. not as many in this "required" class as I was expecting
2. when asked, " what do you read?" everyone in this program is such a ridiculous snob, listing high brow literature by famously difficult authors-- right..  you read that on your ipad at the beach ---liar.

Week 4: Beats

This week we discussed the differences between the actual Beat generation and the Beatnik which was an exploited version of the stereotype, as seen above. Our professor showed us multiple examples (including this one) of poorly associated literature covers claiming to be part of the Beat movement. Silly.

We then discussed jazz, Jack Kerouac and spontaneous prose. It was beautiful and frustrating at the same time. I read The Subterraneans as it was intended, quickly, and as if listening to a great jazz performance. I enjoyed it. I did not overly examine the use or misuse of punctuation, nor did I mark notes in my margins examining each word. Come on people, don't you listen to jazz, don't you read for pleasure? Don't you do anything other than try to be perfect academic intellectuals? Ugh!

Meanwhile, my response paper this week which discussed how this book was written as a jazz performance, and was meant to be read that way?.... A+ bitches. A+.

Week 4: Inferno

Last night, we discussed the structure of Hell. The Circles of Hell are as follows:
1. Limbo
2. Lust
3. Gluttony
4. Greed
5. Anger
6. Heresy
7. Violence
8. Fraud

Thus,  murders are in the 7th circle, while fraudulent investment bankers-- yeah, they are down there at the bottom. ;)

Week 3: Beats

On the Road. We discussed the "hatred" for Dean Moriarity, the mis-treatment of women as they are portrayed in the story and the overwhelming since of the road being for men only.

I disagree.

After class I said, " I think I read a different book." I love Dean's character, the fact that he is wild, and out of control and aimless reminds me of my youth, draws you in to his experience and makes the story enjoyable. I was not struck with any mis-treatment of women, nor was I annoyed by their portrayal. Yes, Dean leaves several women along the way, and yes, they aren't always spoken of in the best manner--  but the story is essentially a story of male friendship. And, when boys are with each other, in their little group, they don't refer to women in the politically correct sense, and who cares? Also, the "road" isn't for men only-- this story just happened to be written by an author relaying his own life with his friends.

And, at the end of class we discussed how our professor would like us to read  the next Kerouac book-- he wants us to READ it. Not, "close read" it. No notes in the margins, no pre-typed paragraphs of witty interesting things to say in class... you know just-- read the damn book.

Finally! That's what I always do. It's about time we cut the bull sh*t. This is a class about the Beat Generation.

Week 3: Inferno

We learned a lot of historical information this week. I was very tired, and thirsty (forgot my water). But, we covered Cantos 6-10, which is the Third-Fourth circle of Hell. These circles include the sins of gluttony, heresy and greed. 

As always, we got to see some artwork and learned about the area of Florence and Tuscany. (which I really enjoy and am looking forward to seeing)

Our professor told us of the chamber of the Nine Priors, also known as the room of good and bad government, in which the very large fresco depicts good government on one side vs. bad government on the other. Hopefully, Dave and I get to see this when we are in Tuscany.

Vocabulary

I should probably sit down and read the Dictionary from cover to cover. Why? I have found that despite my extensive background with English literature and reading, I am at a slight disadvantage when it comes to my Graduate Lit courses. Basically, when I speak in class I sound like an idiot.

The problem, I think, is rooted in the fact that I have not used these skills since graduating from Muskingum. That was almost a decade ago. I am not a High School English teacher, nor am I a Community College Professor. I don't study this material closely, and teach it, every day. I haven't looked at most of it for 10 years.

Others in my classes are either teachers, or professional students. They say brilliant things in class, examine the works closely and say remarkably well articulated comments.

They say things like, " What I found remarkable about this line in the poem was the use of juxtaposition between the conformity of American society in the heterosexual, nuclear family sense and the misogynistic viewpoint towards the suburban lifestyle and women."

It's not that I don't understand the words. They are not above my understanding, it's just that... well..

I say things like, " I related to this section of the poem where he talks about banks, because I work for an investment bank."

See the difference? I'm an idiot. Every time I speak up, my face turns hot, and I spend the rest of the class paranoid that I say the stupidest things-- and that I should just quit the class. Yet, I appear to be doing well thus far with the response papers. So, there's that. 

Week 2: Beats

As expected, we discussed Allen Ginsberg and his poems, "Howl" and "America" during class. Throughout our class discussion we focused on particular lines-- giving them a "close reading"-- which is just a fancy way English people say they are focusing on every word and applying meaning. 

Our class is also centered around the concept of the Beat movement as a reaction to the dominant culture of the 1940s and 1950s. Related to this we are exploring the American identity through the various subject positions people occupy. (subject positions relate to race, gender, class, etc.) 

Next week, we move on to On the Road.

Week 2: Inferno

This week we read Cantos 1-5 and discussed the first ring of hell (reserved for carnal sinners engaged in acts of lust etc.)

We discussed the story of Francesca and Paolo, two lovers cast into hell for their adulterous lust. In the story, Francesca is married to one of two brothers, Gianciotto. One night she and Gianciotto's brother, Paolo are reading the famous story of Lancelot and Guinevere, when, they are consumed by the desire of each other and share a kiss. Later, Gianciotto discovers the pair together and murders them both.

In Dante's creation, the pair is eternally bonded together in hell, drifting upon the wind, as depicted in the picture below.

Week 1: Inferno

Florence, Italy

In the first few moments of our first class, I became overwhelmed with excitement. Our professor, an Italian native, with thick accent, exudes a familiarity with culture I long for. He explained he is a professor of Art History as well as Italian and Literature. So, basically perfect. 

He began the class session by showing us classical paintings, and discussion of what is the classification of a "classic". He followed by giving us a brief history of the Florence and Italy that Dante knew. This was particularly interesting, and will continue to be, as I will be visiting these places in a few months. 

Isn't Florence beautiful?

Week 1: Beats

During our first class, we listened to Allen Ginsberg reading his famous work, "Howl".  Our assignment afterwards was to read this poem, and related texts and create a short response paper, which will become part of the class discussion on the following Tuesday.

Spring Quarter: March 28, 2011

Below are the course descriptions for the two courses I will be taking this Spring.



Topics in Comparative Literature: Dante's Inferno

This course examines Dante's Inferno in its cultural, social and political context. In particular we will explore how the underground world imagined by the poet relates to late medieval urban life and culture. To this end we will study Dante's masterpiece alongside textual and visual documents of his age, including selections from major works of literature, political science, historiography and visual arts. Ample use will be made of audio-visual resources as well as of reading and in-class discussion. Counts toward the Comparative & World Literature specialization.

Special Topics: The Beats: Conformity and Aesthetics

In this course, we will be examining the process by which art grapples with political, moral, and sexual conformity. Amid the unparalleled material wealth of the immediate post-World War II era, America seemed locked into conflict with an implacable foe. The very definition of what it meant to be American was contested, and "UnAmerican" activities denounced, UnAmerican people blacklisted or worse. Yet artists and writers like William S. Burroughs, Gregory Corso, Diane DiPrima, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and others refused to conform, and produced art which interrogated and resisted the culture. We will read both seminal and less-famous works by Beat Generation authors in the context of Cold War ideology and literary aesthetics, with special concentration on the politics and processes of identity formation and subject position. Counts toward the American Literature specialization.