Collins Living-Learning Center

In this class we will read literary works of different eras and cultural traditions, focusing on the representations of non-human animals and their allies: From The Golden Ass to the Monkey King, from Kafka’s giant insect to the women activists of J.M. Coetzee and Olga Tokarczuk. Written cultures can express fears of contamination and hybridization with other animals, but they can also become a vehicle for solidarity and compassion. What role do non-human animals play in fiction? How do literary texts echo and promote arguments in favor of a better coexistence with other species? How does the theme of animal exploitation intersect with other forms of oppression, like classism and colonialism? The class is structured as a seminar, with students participating in interactive lectures and discussions, working in a group setting, and completing homework every week. The final project can take the form of a critical paper or an art project.

Instructor: Giorgio Losi

Collins Seminars: Selected by Board of Educational Programming (BOEP)

• A&H
• What are CASE requirements?