GLS 592: Topics in Literature: War
Instructor: Mika Elovaara
War is one of the most prevalent topics in literature through the ages. Whereas ancient tales, epics and myths often focused on the battles and heroics of war, the more recent literature on war has introduced various perspectives on war. Today, the genre of “war literature” includes a wide array of angles, from the traditionally heroic accounts of survival and patriotism to the critical views by both soldiers on the front and veterans and families at home.
This class is a study of the (primarily American) literature inspired by war. Starting from the clash of civilizations between the settlers and the natives in the 1600s and working our way up to the present day and the war in Iraq, we will study different literary accounts of war from a diverse viewpoint. The course readings will include various genres of literature – poetry, fiction, graphic novels and novels among others, and the subject matter ranges from Women in Indian Captivity Narratives and the story of Geronimo (“The Great Patriot Warrior”) to the more extensively documented wars (e.g. The Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI and WWII, The Vietnam War) America has experienced throughout its independent history. In addition to reading a wide selection of both contemporary and retrospective literature written about war, we will also study the basics of the time period and circumstances leading to each particular war to establish a frame of reference to the course readings. As a result of our study, the students should gain a deeper understanding for various aspects regarding many of the wars that have touched America as a nation and learn that war as a recurring experience in human society brings out human emotions and behavior of timeless nature.
The class structure is based on in-class discussions of assigned readings, student presentations, and relevant in-class and homework writing assignments.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Presentation 20%
In-class participation 20 %
Mid-term paper 30 %
Final paper 30 %
Tentative Reading List:
- Geronimo – Penguin, ISBN 9780452011557
- Women’s Indian Captivity Narratives – Penguin, ISBN 9780140436716
- Martin, Joseph, P.: A Narrative Of A Revolutionary Soldier – Penguin, ISBN 9780451528117
- Crane, Stephen: The Red Badge Of Courage And Four Stories – Penguin, ISBN 9780451526472
- The Vietnam Reader - Penguin, ISBN 9780385491181
- Spiegelman, Art: The Complete Maus - Penguin, ISBN 9780679406419
- O’Brien, Tim: The Things They Carried - Penguin, ISBN 9780767902892
- Gill, H.A: Soldier Under Three Flags: Exploits Of Special Forces’ Captain Larry A. Thorne – Pathfinder Publishing, ISBN 9780934793650
- Bowden, Amrk: Black Hawk Down - Penguin, ISBN 9780140288506
- Buzzell, Colby: My War - Penguin, ISBN 9780425211366
- Penguin Book Of First World War Poetry – Penguin, ISBN 9780141181905
- Bravedy, Chuck: Iraq in My Eye - Memoirs of a Navy Seal – Publish America ISBN 9781424176892
Last Update: February 16, 2009
