Houses on the Rock

Some of the greatest works of art and literature ever produced were born in moments of mass trauma. The poetry of Du Fu in China, the paintings of Francisco Goya, the early films of Jean Renoir, and the Maus series by Art Spiegelman were all inspired by tragedy. What is it about cinema, comics, literature, and painting that allow not simply for people to be comforted, but to grow stronger in the face of tragedy? Why do these forms of expression seem to thrive in difficult times? In this class we will look at works produced during specific moments of history–the An Lushan Rebellion, the Holocaust, World War I, and the Peninsular War–and explore art’s peculiar ability to make sense of the senseless.

Satisfies General Education Requirements:

• Group-Satisfying: Arts and Letters
• Multicultural Courses: International Cultures (IC)