Naturalists and Tough Guys: California Writers 3301-LA2204
This course concerns literary representations of Californian history from the Gold Rush, through the development of the film industry, the freedom and countercultural movements of the Sixties, to the hegemonic expansion of Silicon Valley with its cultural and economic consequences. We will begin with Frank Norris' naturalist novel McTeague and its depiction of the aftermath of the Gold Rush, that is, the traces it left on the characters' psyche, their perception of the world, and even their sexual preferences. Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust exposes the morbid fascination of ordinary denizens of Los Angeles with Hollywood glamour, as well as their increasing inability to distinguish what they see on the silver screen from actual reality. In Cannery Row, John Steinbeck describes the community of Monterey, a small fishing port, using the conventions of pastoralism and the idyll; animals are as important as humans in this tale. We will then move on to the Sixties and the principal events of that decade in California. Apart from Thomas Pynchon's novel The Crying of Lot 49 we will also discuss his essay on the Watts race riots, the Free Speech Movement leader's Mario Savio's speech „Rage Against the Machine”. Essays and poems by avant-garde writers, as well as the work of journalists and social critics, will provide insight into the past quarter-century of Californian history.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The graduate has familiarity with:
- K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art
in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of English
Studies ,as applied to the work of Californian writers known as naturalists or tough guys
- K_W08 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Abilities
The graduate is able to:
- K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of
the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of
English Studies
- K_U08 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
Social competences
The graduate is ready to:
- K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
- K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when necessary
Assessment criteria
Interactive lecrture, moderated discussion
Final written exam; attendance and participation in class discussions
Bibliography
Frank Norris, McTeague
Jack London, Martin Eden
Nathanael West, The Day of the Locust
John Steinbeck, Cannery Row
Thomas Pynchon,The Crying of Lot 49;”Journey into the Mind of Watts”
Oscar Acosta, The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo
Joan Didion, Where I Was From
Lyn Hejinian, essays from The Grand Piano
Selected poems by Robinsopn Jeffers, Gary Snyder, Brenda Hillman
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: