20th Century Literature
56:606:531:A1
Th 6:00 - 8:40PM
Professor Richard Drucker

This course examines a selection of contemporary literature in historic, social, and aesthetic contexts. Each work is presented through topics which include the relationship between literature and postmodern culture, how narrative technique is influenced by social and historical conditions, the blurring of fact and fiction in contemporary literature, and the experiences of gender, race, and class as presented by contemporary novelists. Contemporary literature is extremely broad and varied; however, students will become acquainted with several major trends in contemporary literature, and with a representative group of contemporary novelists.

Religion and Politics in America
56:606:642:A1
W 6:00 - 8:40PM
Professor Kenneth Banner

This course will begin by examining the historical background of the conflict between "conservative" and "liberal" approaches to religion and the ways in which they came to shape a variety of political issues in American religious history. It will then focus upon the effect of religion in the modern political landscape. Who is the "religious right" and what do they want to accomplish? Is there a "religious left" and, if so, what are their goals and issues? How does religion affect the way Americans view government and the future of the nation? In the process the class will examine how religion influences political topics such as abortion, the creation/evolution/intelligent design debate, gay marriage, separation of church and state, stem cell research and U.S. policy in the Middle East. Close attention will be given throughout the course to the immediate context of the 2008 election.