ENGL 20405 - Decadent Modernity

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

English

Description:

Narrowly understood, decadence indicates a late-nineteenth century fashion-craze of debauched poets and artists. In this course, we study those materials, but we also engage a broader view of decadence, extending from the 18th century to the present. That second viewpoint broaches the prospect that modern life itself involves us in less obvious versions of decadence - not only phenomena such as conspicuous consumption but also (if you believe Nietzsche) such concerns as morality and truth-seeking. Our course emphasizes literary texts, along with numerous forays into drama, visual arts, cinema and criticism. Early on, we lay conceptual groundwork with texts by Freud and Nietzsche. Other well-known authors include Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, Joris-Karl Huysmans, Walter Pater, Virginia Woolf, and Patrick Süskind. We also study films by Ken Russell, Peter Greenaway and Sally Potter. Please note that some of our discussion matter is not for the faint-hearted. Bring a sense of humor, a tolerance for the grotesque, and a readiness to think carefully about authors who deliberately challenge deeply held western attitudes concerning morality and values.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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