The Beckett Colloquium

(4 Credits)

This course will conduct an intensive examination of Samuel Beckett's career, reading closely his poetry, novels, letters, essays, and dramatic works against the literary, philosophical, political and historical contexts in which they were written and received. Along the way we will consider how attempts to define Beckett -- as Irish, as French, as Modernist, Existentialist, Post-modernist, humanist, and nihilist -- have all fallen short of his unique blend of tragic and comic genius. Although there will occasionally be lectures on significant historical or critical issues, the class will be conducted principally through rigorous class discussion like a seminar.