COURSES TAUGHT
FEMINISM IN PRINT
Spring 2021
“Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one,” or so they say. How have small feminist presses used this freedom to give marginalized voices a platform for expression and circulation? What conversations, communities, and political actions have these presses made possible? Reading texts by queer, BIPOC, and feminist writers—fiction and nonfiction, but also manifestos, letters, and interviews—we will explore feminist presses as sites of artistic innovation, community organizing, and political activism. Students will write both creatively and analytically, collaboratively and independently; they will investigate the social histories of their favorite books, research small presses of their choosing, explore digital archives, and more. As a class, we will enjoy visits from and discussion with small press founders.
GREAT NEW BOOKS
Fall 2019 & Spring 2020
Would you be able to identify the Shakespeare or Austen of your time? What are the best books being written today and how do we know they are great? What role do critics, prizes, book clubs, and movie adaptations play in establishing the appeal and prestige of new literature? Are there some books that are great in their moment and others that will be considered great for generations to come? These are some of the questions we'll explore as we read, discuss, and write critical essays about several of the most acclaimed books published in the last twenty years. Our readings will include works in a range of genres, from novels and memoirs to poetry and graphic novels.