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COL 289
Pornography: Writing of Prostitutes
COL 289 SP
Crosslistings: WMST290
| Section | Class Size | *Available | Times |
|---|
| 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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