In this seminar, we’ll read an assortment of Medieval and Early Modern female visionary writers alongside contemporary writers that they inspired. Primary readings will include Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695), writer, nun, and polymath in colonial Mexico and poet Eileen Myles (1949- ), who wrote a play inspired by her life; Margery Kempe (1373-1438) and Margery Kempe by Robert Glück (1947- ); and Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) and Unknown Language by Huw Lemmey using language from Hildegard of Bingen’s work. We’ll supplement these primary readings with work situating these authors in their religious and cultural contexts, as well including relevant music and visual art.
Writing for the class will include short weekly reading responses, culminating in either a final essay examining one of these dyads or a critical/creative response which will include a short analysis of howone of these contemporary authors worked with their source text and a creative experiment using this author’s methods but with another source text.
Learning Outcomes:
To situate texts and authors within their historical and religious context(s).
To learn about Medieval and Early Modern genres and genders and how the two shaped one another.
To learn about adaptation as a form of creative reading.
To introduce various disciplinary approaches to reading historical texts.
To explore visionary writing and experience as a historical site of agency for women.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 10:00AM - 11:50AM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: 2000 , All courses , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Literature , New Courses , Updates
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