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21M.013

The Supernatural in Music, Literature and Culture

3-0-9 units. HASS-A, HASS-H; CI-H · Undergraduate

Explores the relationship between music and the supernatural, focusing on the social history and context of supernatural beliefs as reflected in key literary and musical works from 1600 to the present. Provides an understanding of the place of ambiguity and the role of interpretation in culture, science and art. Explores great works of art by Shakespeare, Verdi, Goethe (in translation), Gounod, Henry James and Benjamin Britten. Readings also include selections from the most recent scholarship on magic and the supernatural. Writing assignments range from web-based projects to analytic essays. No previous experience in music is necessary. Projected guest lectures, musical performances, field trips. Limited to 36.

Fall 2013

Topics

  • Introduction
  • The social history of witch-hunting
  • Witch-hunting discussion
  • Introduction to Shakespeare’s Macbeth
  • Macbeth discussion
  • Shakespeare, Kurosawa and context discussion
  • Purcell, Dido and Aeneas
  • Purcell discussion
  • Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique ; Verdi, Macbeth
  • Berlioz, Verdi discussion
  • Verdi’s Macbeth
  • Introduction to learned magic and alchemy Guest: Tara Nummedal
  • Visit to MIT Libraries Special Collections
  • Introduction to Goethe’s Faust
  • Goethe’s Faust ; Murnau
  • Murnau’s Faust , Marlowe’s Faust , and the Faust puppet play
  • Faust in music
  • Liszt, Faust Symphony
  • Henry James and Spiritualism Guest: Paul Fisher
  • Introduction to James’ The Turn of the Screw
  • James’ The Turn of the Screw discussion
  • Music of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw
  • Student presentations preparation
  • Student presentations and discussion

Readings

  • Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth . Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780192834171.
    Required
  • Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von. Goethe’s Faust . Translated and with an Introduction by William Kaufmann. Anchor Books, 1962. ISBN: 9780385031141.
    Required
  • James, Henry. The Turn of the Screw . 2nd ed. Edited by Deborah Esch, and Jonathan Warren. W. W. Norton & Company, 1999. ISBN: 9780393959048.
    Required

Prerequisites & course information

Same subject as 21L.013[J] Prereq: None U (Fall) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units. HASS-A, HASS-H; CI-H

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