The Villain

Catalog description

What makes a villain and who decides? In this course, we will track the evolution of the villain across the globe and through the ages, exploring representations of evil in mythology, literature, and art history, as well as on the stage and screen. We'll identify the origins of iconic imagery, interrogate the scapegoating of characters and populations in popular narratives, and question our own perceptions of villainy in art and culture. Our material will include sacred text, global performance traditions, political documents, psychological studies, essential works of early cinema, and relevant works of today from Disney to Jordan Peele. Assignments will take the form of textual analysis and research as well as artistic responses in a variety of mediums, all seeking to understand new perspectives on those we label "villain."