ETS UC 115/ WSP 200 Three Modernist Writers:
Virginia Woolf, Jean Rhys, and Stevie Smith
Instructor: S. Sternlicht. Thurs.
Office 429HL x 9480 Hours M & W 10-11:30 and also by appointment
Home phone 472 5639
The course begins with a discussion of Modernism in its historical context and definition. We will address the development of the various political and artistic "isms" of the 1914-1968 period, including, most significantly for this course: feminism. We will read and discuss five novels and part of a collection of poetry. Classes will contain lectures, group discussions, and film showings. I will also play a tape of Stevie Smith reading some of her poems, a gift to me by the literary executor of her estate. Three 1500-word essays will be assigned later. Final grade will be determined by essay grades. Attendance is required. Three unauthorized absences will result in the loss of a full letter grade in the course. Miss more than five classes and you will receive an F grade regardless of the work done for the course. Continual tardiness and late essays will also be penalized. Students with special needs are requested to see the instructor as soon as possible.
Texts:
Woolf: Mrs. Dalloway
& Orlando
Rhys: Voyage in the
Dark, Good Morning
Smith: Selected Poems
of Stevie Smith
Sternlicht: In Search
of Stevie Smith
Films shown:
Mrs. Dalloway
Stevie (a film of the play about the life of Stevie Smith)
Reading order:
Virginia Woolf, Jean Rhys, Stevie Smith