ENGL314

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ENGL314

Rationality, Religion, and Modern Literature ENGL314 SP

Crosslistings: CHUM314

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times	POI	Prereq
1	15	0	Times: M.W.... 2:40PM-4:00PM;	No	No

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the Blue Add 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 Tue Aug 10 05:00:21 EDT 1999 )

Since the late 19th century, both practitioners of the human sciences (an intersection of philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology) and literary artists have addressed the problem of moral authority and religious values in a rationally organized, technological modern world. This course examines some of the most influential theories concerning the relationship of rationality and morality, beginning with Max Weber's THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM. In conjunction with theoretical works we will also read a selection of fiction, beginning with Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, that exemplify the ways in which modern literary works are structured through concerns about moral action and processes of rationalization. Our discussions will also address debates about the validity of universal rational thought in the face of arguments about the cultural specificity of moral-ethical values and ways of life. The course has two goals: to expose students to a method of thinking about the relationship between rationality and the religious/moral sphere, and to suggest innovative ways of analyzing literary attitudes toward reason, emotion, and morality.

MAJOR READINGS

Theory by Appiah, Durkheim, Freud, Geertz,
Malinowski, Gellner, Weber; fiction by Defoe, Chekov, Joyce,
Cather, Fitzgerald, and Forster.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly response papers and a final paper project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course counts toward the English Department's Theory requirement. 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 ENGL

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Weisberg, D; Times: M.W.... 2:40PM- 4:00PM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 2, So: 0, Fr: 0; Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999

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