GWS 280

Spring 2023

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Women Writers
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Credit: 3 hours.

Same as ENGL 280. See ENGL 280.

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CRN Type Section Time Day Location Instructor Section Details
49540
Online
Q
12:30PM -1:45PM
TR
n.a.
Baron, I
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
01/17/23-05/03/23
Section Info:
SP22 - ENGL 280: Unsung Heroines in Young Adult Lit From the angry voices of the MeToo# and BLM movements, women and minorities are challenging traditional stereotypes about gender and identity politics in America and Britain. They’re supplanting the white patriarchy with authoritative female leaders, including the rise of women of color such as The Squad. Literature is often viewed as a barometer of social change. Over the last few years, the pendulum has swung from celebrating pieces that are saturated with tributes to the iconic white male savior in series such as The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Spiderman and Thor to embracing novels and films that explore a gender and identity directive that celebrates the agency of women and minority figures. But just how empowered are women and minorities in this seemingly new Golden Age of gender realignment? In this class, we will examine the rise of women as central heroic figures in Young Adult fantasy and in dystopian literature from the 20th century into the 21st century. We’ll focus on how women transformed from being depicted as delicate little flowers who needed constant male protection to being portrayed as commanding symbols of Girl Power. In addition, we’ll examine how the rise of fantasy lit aligned with the changing social dynamic of minority women in Western culture. And finally, we’ll trace how women from various social and racial backgrounds went from being sexualized objects who existed merely as eye-candy for superhero hetero men to being morally and physically superior entities who can change the world for the better and are not idealized just to maintain the status quo. Novels include: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Golden Compass, Divergent, Twilight, The Hunger Games, Red Queen, A Discovery of Witches and Out of the Blue. Films and TV may include Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman and Fantastic Beasts. Class work will include three papers and an oral presentation along with active participation.
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