Feminist Theory in Literature and Pop Culture

Catalog description

In this Honors Seminar, we will read interdisciplinary feminist theory drawn from psychoanalysis, sociology, anthropology, film and media as well as literary studies all in the context of twentieth-century cultural texts. We first consider the question: What is a text? Is it a work of literature. Or can a text be a Hollywood film, a photograph, a music video, a Barbie doll. We also consider another major issue essential to the course: What is the nature of sexual difference and what does it have to do with the historical oppression of women. The course goes on to pursue many aspects of diverse women's social experience through creative and/or culture-studies artifacts. Writings by Saphire and Kate Chopin, films directed by Maria Luisa Bemberg and Deepa Mehta, music videos produced by Madonna and Shakira, and television classics like I Love Lucy will all be under consideration. Students will be asked to read a plethora of theory texts by authors including Laura Mulvey, Nancy Chodorow, and Judith Butler. Written requirements will include a formal reading journal and two essays; students will also be asked to do research and give oral presentations.