In this class, we will discuss tragedy and catharsis politically: does tragedy inspire us to change the world around us, or does it insist upon the futility of individual action? Is tragedy unique to the ancient world, or can we find tragedy in the art and politics of today? We will discuss plays, essays, short stories, and movies to discover how definitions of tragedy have evolved since the term’s appearance in Ancient Greece and how we can connect it to our world today. Our readings will focus on tragedies of rebellion and isolation, including Antigone, Boris Godunov, and The Seagull, films by directors such as Sofia Coppola and the Coen brothers, and short excerpts of essays that will help guide our discussions on art and political activism. Over the course of the semester, students will develop their writing through essays on course readings, peer editing, and one-on-one conferences.
- Instructor of record: Brian Kilgour