LIT 280 Literature Film and the Art of American Politics
Professor: David Blake
Meetings:
280-01 Monday Thursday 2:00-3:20pm
280-02 Monday Thursday 3:30-4:20pm
How have writers and filmmakers been inspired by American politics? What have leaders learned from creative depictions of democracy? What are the political differences between a protest novel, a White House satire, and a Hollywood conspiracy theory? Class discussions will focus on a series of questions about representation and public opinion, citizenship and rights, campaigns and celebrity, and the creation of ‘enemies.’ Authors include Walt Whitman Henry Adams, Charles Chesnutt, Allen Ginsberg, Adrienne Rich, Ishmael Reed, Joan Didion, and Anna Deveare Smith. Films include Bob Roberts, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and The Manchurian Candidate, plus lots of conversation about the framing and presentation of the 2016 presidential election.
Satisfies the Liberal Learning requirement for Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts and is an elective in the English major and U.S. Studies minor.