COLT 49.11 Revolution: Politics and Aesthetics in Modern Times

In this course we will discuss a broad constellation of plays, novels, poems, short-stories, and films that have defined our understanding of Modern politics and its most paradigmatic expression, revolution. Revolutions are consubstantial with our deepest Modern social, economic, and political aspirations (freedom, justice, emancipation, equality, self-governance, democracy). They are also violent processes of change and disruption that have created as much hope as dread. Revolutions are contradictory and messy; they materialize an intensified moment of danger and contingency, but also of human agency and solidarity. In this course, students will critically familiarize themselves with a series of canonical texts, concepts, and debates that capture the creative and destructive energy of some of the most haunting revolutionary ruptures in modern times, from France, Russia and Spain to Algeria, Haiti, and Mexico.  

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or LIT; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Comparative Literature