CHUM315 - Theories of Vice and Villainy in the Eighteenth Century

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2002/2003

Theories of Vice and Villainy in the Eighteenth Century
CHUM 315 SP

Aestheticians of the Enlightenment widely maintained that moral instruction was the greatest goal of all art. This view made no allowance for the anti-hero, the character that--despite disreputable qualities--engages the admiration or sympathy of the spectator. Such potentially subversive protagonists were regarded with alarm by the critics of the Age of Reason.

This seminar will explore the representation of vice and the villain in eighteenth-century European culture, examining artworks (primarily novels, plays, and opera libretti) as well as contemporaneous literary criticism and scientific accounts of human nature. Particular attention will be devoted to the title character of Mozart's DON GIOVANNI, who came to exemplify the demonic hero during the Romantic period.

MAJOR READINGS

Selections from novels of Richardson, Burney, and others. Dramatic Theoris of Dryden, Voltaire, Diderot, Johnson, Lessing, Goethe, and W. Richardson. Plays of Moliere, Shadwell, Goldoni, Bertati, Lessing, and Da Ponte.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short papers and one major research project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Although opera will be discussed often, no technical background in music is required.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

The instructor of this course will not be using the on-line wait list. If you are interested in this course, please contact the instructor directly.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CHUM Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Hoyt,Peter A.

Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: CFH106

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 18)

SR. major: 3 Jr. major: 3

SR. non-major: 3 Jr. non-major: 3 SO: 3 FR: 3

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003