ENGL 336 - Postmodernism in Film and Literature II

2 credit(s)
Traces postmodernism from its origins to the present, providing a historical, cultural, and theoretical context to frame discussions of such postmodernist authors as Beckett, Borges and Calvino, and film directors such as Haneke, the Coen Brothers and Spike Jonze. We will consider how typical postmodernist techniques, such as the setting of frames within frames, the mosaic merging of genres and styles, and the use of hyperspace, reflect post WWII shifts in politics and philosophy. Upper-level students will have advanced readings and assignments on the concepts of postmodernism, such as fragmentation, mise-en-abyme, play, decentering, simulacra, and metafiction.
Core Requirement(s): International and Diverse Perspectives; Analyzing and Interpreting Texts.
Prerequisite(s): 2 credits of 200-level ENGL.