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COL 289

Pornography: Writing of Prostitutes
COL 289 SP

Crosslistings: WMST290
SectionClass Size*AvailableTimes
1 24 0 Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:00:40 EST 1998 )

This course investigates pornographic literature as a body of discursive practices whose "materials," according to the cultural critic Susan Sontag, comprise "one of the extreme forms of human consciousness." The pornography we study is an art of transgression which impels human sexuality toward, against, and beyond the limits which have traditionally defined civil discourses and practices--defined, that is, regimes of dominance and submission, inclusion or exclusion, in the domains of organ and emotional pleasure. Our examination accordingly includes the implication of pornography in so-called perverse practices such as voyeurism, bestiality, sadism, and masochism, and considers the inflections of the dominant white-heterosexual tradition by alternative sexualities and genders, as well as by race, class, age, mental and physical competence. We also attempt to identify the factors, intrinsic and extrinsic, which align the pornographic impulse with revolutionary or conservative political practices. But our primary focus is on pornography as radical representations of sexuality whose themes are violation, degradation, and exposure.

MAJOR READINGS

The Marquis de Sade, JUSTINE and PHILOSOPHY
IN THE BEDROOM
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, VENUS IN FURS
Georges Bataille, STORY OF THE EYE and EROTISM
Pauline Reage, STORY OF O
Jean Genet, THE BALCONY
Felix Salten, THE MEMOIRS OF JOSEPHINE MUTZENBACHER
Angela Carter, THE BLOODY CHAMBER and THE SADEIAN WOMAN
Anne Rampling, (a.k.a. Anne Rice), EXIT TO EDEN
Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze, Leo Bersani,
Linda Williams, Mendy Merck, among others; theoretical
and cultural essays.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Thoughtful preparation, regular attendance, dedicated participation in class discussion, two critical essays and one final project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Since this course focuses on pornography as discursive and representational practice, it is not intended as a vehicle for those whose primary interest is debating questions of its social and legal censorship. 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.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA COL

Prerequisites: None

Section 01
Weissman, H
Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;
Grading Mode: Mixed
Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 2, Fr: 3
Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998




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