239889 Beast or Buddy? - Representations of the Animal (S) (WiSe 2012/2013)

"The animal, what a word! The animal is a word, it is an appellation that men have instituted, a name they have given themselves the right and the authority to give to the living other" (Derrida 23).
These two sentences written by Derrida sum up the basic problem thinkers have been (more or less) confused by since Darwin's Origin of Species (1859) at the latest: the human-animal boundary. Questions about animals as creatures capable of emotions have had their repercussions in many different forms of media. Using theoretical concepts of critical theory and philosophy, this seminar engages with representations of animals in exemplary contexts of 19th and 20th century literature and film. It is co-hosted by Tabea Weber.

Literaturangaben

The required reading will be announced in due course.