Fall 2016

Animals in Contemporary Global Novels

Listed in: English, as ENGL-310

Faculty

Yu-ting Huang (Section 01)

Description

This course examines how contemporary global novels employ animals to explore the limits of humanity and human community.  As globalization creates intersecting networks of production and communication across borders, many recent novelists foreground human-animal relations alongside their depictions of contemporary global reality.  Why should they choose to include animals in their visions of a global society?  What may be the connection between the lives of animals and globalization?  Reading a selection of philosophical and theoretical texts alongside contemporary Anglophone novels from around the world, the course examines the wide-ranging representations of animals as companion species, radical Other, food and commercial products, victims of environmental disasters and geopolitical changes, or reminders of our innocent origin.  Possible authors include J.M. Coetzee, Ruth L. Ozeki, Indra Sinha, Zakes Mda, Mahasweta Devi, Lydia Millet, Lauren Beukes, and Linda Hogan; possible theoretical texts include those by Giorgio Agamben, Jacques Derrida, and Donna Haraway.

Limited to 25 students.  Fall semester.  Visiting Professor Huang.

ENGL 310 - L/D

Section 01
M 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM FAYE 117
W 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM FAYE 117

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2016