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| Semester | spring semester 2010 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Philipp Schweighauser (ph.schweighauser@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | As we try to interpret literary texts, paintings, and films, we often forget what they consist of: paper, print, canvas, paint, celluloid. What we also tend to forget is that the production of these cultural artifacts is thoroughly dependent on a number of tools and apparatuses: pencils, typewriters, computers, printing presses, paint brushes, cameras, projectors, and so on. In this course, we will have a close look at the materiality of literary texts and other media, i.e., we will focus on the stuff they are made of. We will read and touch two of those stunningly beautiful literary works of art published by McSweeney's: T.C. Boyle's literary cigar box "Old Facts, New Fiction, & a Novella" (McSweeney's Issue 19; ISBN: 193241648X) and McSweeney's Issue 16, which contains stories, a deck of cards, and a comb (ISBN 1932416153). We will see the images and hear the sounds of E. Elias Merhige's movie "Shadow of the Vampire," which stars John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. We will also engage with the paintings, drawings, and objects made by Jean-Michel Basquiat (and exhibited at Fondation Beyeler from May 9 to September 5). In addition, we will read some texts by literary and media theorists such as Marshall McLuhan, Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht and Friedrich Kittler that help us make sense of what has been called "the materiality of communication." These texts will be made available in a reader. |
| Learning objectives | You begin to understand the extent to which the meanings we attribute to literary texts and other media depend on their materiality. |
| Bibliography | Two literary works need to be bought and read before the beginning of the term: T.C. Boyle's "Old Facts, New Fiction, & a Novella" (McSweeney's Issue 19; ISBN-10: 193241648X / ISBN-13: 9781932416480) and McSweeney's Issue 16 (ISBN-10: 1932416153 / ISBN-13: 978-1932416152). A fairly slim course reader will be made available at "dings shop" two weeks before the beginning of term. You need to purchase a copy and bring it along to the first session. |
| Comments | Note that this seminar closely relates to my lecture course "Theory Survey II/II: Media Theory" (21765-01). However, attendance of the lecture is not a prerequisite for this seminar. |
| Admission requirements | This course is for Liz candidates, for BA-students who have completed their 2nd year (including the paper) as well as for MA students. |
| Course application | Please register via e-mail to Alex Van Lierde (alex.van-lierde@unibas.ch). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul English & American Literature (Master's degree subject: English) Modul Extending the View (Literary and Cultural Studies) (Bachelor's degree subject: Englisch) Modul Focusing on the Discipline (Literary and Cultural Studies) (Bachelor's degree subject: Englisch) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | t.b.a. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Englisches Seminar |