S1623 The Aesthetics of Privacy: Reading and Writing under Conditions of Globalization

Course description
Both writing and reading have frequently been associated with social and spatial isolation: one writes (and reads) at home, in the privacy of a study, a bedroom, an attic – in any case, a space set apart from public attention and social interaction. Though shot through with ideas and themes that originated in public discourses (i.e. 'out there'), the production of art – particularly written art, poetry, novels, essays, journals etc.– remained for a long time a quintessentially private enterprise.
There's little doubt that one never writes (or reads for that matter) from scratch: our compositions and the way we make sense of any text is determined by what we already know and by the socio-cultural surroundings. To read and write means to participate in specific cultural discourses, to reproduce and, at best, to add to these discourses as they unfold from a particular time and (market-) place.
Writing and reading are thus fundamentally social activities, yet they thrive, quite paradoxically, on the belief that they are pursued individually and independently of the social context.
In this class we will discuss the impact of mass media and global electronic networks regarding the alleged 'privacy' of writing/reading. We will ask about the changing role of literature today, in an age of crowd-sourcing and free electronic publishing outlets; and finally, we will look at culturally specific manifestations of the aesthetics of privacy, by juxtaposing concepts of art and privacy both in American mainstream culture and in the context of minorities, such as African Americans and other ethnic groups.

The aims of this class are:
a) to develop an understanding of the key issues regarding the history and production of literature and the arts under conditions of globalization;
b) to develop an understanding of the importance of concepts of 'privacy' and globalization for the study of modern literature and the various forms of writing/reading they have spawned;
c) to develop a further understanding of the significant changes in the way we engage with literary productions, both as critics or academics, and as general readers;
 
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the class, successful students should have
i) significantly increased their understanding of the history of writing and reading in a globalized world;
ii) displayed the ability to develop an articulate line of argument in oral presentations;
iii) further developed their research and writing skills, and shown their ability to use interdisciplinary approaches if applicable and appropriate;

Teaching and Learning Strategies
The class will provide an introduction to or consolidation of key analytical themes and interpretations, rather than supply basic factual information, which students are expected to gain through their own reading. Selected themes will then be explored in individual sessions, preferably by way of discussion groups. These groups are central to the development of the course, and participation and performance therein will be reflected in the final grade. It is essential that students attend seminars, and that they come prepared to discuss the relevant topic[s].

Plagiarism
Students’ attention is drawn to the VIU Guidelines, Faculty regulations, and the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, regarding plagiarism (i.e. passing someone else’s words off as your own). All direct quotations must be indicated with quotation marks and accurately footnoted. Plagiarism is a serious offence and will result in 0 credits for the class.

Deadlines
The two papers should be submitted according to a deadline, agreed upon by all participants during the first session of the respective class. One piece should be handed in by each of the deadlines. The first deadline is Friday, May 20; the second deadline is within 7 days after presentation in class, i.e. the following week.

General Remarks
Students are strongly reminded that their performance on this class depends heavily on their own reading and other preparation work. It is expected that the required papers will be well-researched. To this end an extensive bibliography will be available in class as well as on the VIU web-site. Most importantly, students are expected to make interdisciplinary connections wherever possible in all parts of their assessment of a specific topic. The moderator/professor is always willing to supply guidance and suggestions regarding both topics and methodology, and is available at mutually arranged times for tutorial assistance.