230076 ”Funk” the Erotic: The Erotic as a Form of Thinking in American Literature and Culture (S) (SoSe 2024)

U.S. American culture is conventionally associated with Puritan origins, ideologies, and ways of thinking. U.S. American culture, though, also has brought forth a rich spectrum of alternative ways of thinking, writing, and creating. This experimental MA seminar looks more closely at the body and the erotic as points of departure for philosophical reflection, artistic creation, social and political protest and affirmation. We will read philosophical texts, critical essays, literary texts, song lyrics and look at visual arts such as photography among others to explore the cultural potential of the erotic as a way of thinking and acting. Among others we will read texts by Richard Shusterman, Audre Lorde, Walt Whitman, look at art work by Cindy Sherman, song lyrics and poems by Leonard Cohen as well as presentations by Crispin Sartwell and Camille Paglia. Note: We will start the class with a group excursion to the exhibition "Nudes" at the LWL Museum für Kunst und Kultur in Münster, Domplatz 10, 48143 Münster on Saturday, April 13. We will meet at 11 am at the entrance to the museum (fifteen minutes on foot from the train station). You can use your regional train tickets as students to get Münster. However, you will need to pay the entrance fee for the exhibition. Please bring your student ID for potential discount. Class requirements involve active class participation, reading of texts, and class presentations toward the end of the semester.