The Idea of Europe: Readings in the 20th Century Novel

The Idea of Europe: Readings in the 20th Century Novel is a Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies course taught by Alicia Ellis.

This course requires instructor permission.

Course Description
The Idea of Europe: Readings in the 20th Century Novel: Readings in the works of twentieth-century authors, who, in very different ways, challenge the conventional ways in which Europe is identified and understood by its constituents. Particular attention is paid to a sense of a shared transnational European identity, the theorization of political, cultural and sexual spaces, themes of historical memory, postcolonial legacies and the negotiation of multiculturalism. In addition, we will explore the relationship between the margin and the center, the layered structure of violence and the articulation of a unique European self whose boundaries are fluid, defiant and contested. Focus will be on close readings of text. Authors may include but are not limited to Elfriede Jelinek, Orhan Pamuk, Michel Houellebecq, Kazuo Ishiguro, Hanif Kureishi, Philippe Grimbert and Jeanette Winterson. Instructor permission required. Limited to Advanced Div II Students with upper level literature seminar experience