ENGL 381 - English Seminar

1 unit(s)

Topic for 2024/25b: Visions and Revisions of the Fall. In this seminar, we consider the ways in which the Fall is treated as a literary, religious, and philosophical construct by John Milton in Paradise Lost and by Philip Pullman in his His Dark Materials trilogy. While the course focuses on Milton’s poem and Pullman’s novels, we consider other versions of the Fall (including the biblical one) and we also examine the lot/state/situation of the fallen (angels and others) by reading a variety of medieval and modern texts, which may include The Consolation of Philosophy, Pearl, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Butcher Boy, and Postcards. In addition, we screen a number of films, including The Devil’s Advocate, The Rapture, Dogma, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Bedazzled.

Prerequisite(s): Open to Juniors and Seniors with 2 units of 200-level work in English, or by permission of the instructor.

One 2-hour period.

Not offered in 2025/26.

Course Format: CLS