Topics in Language and Thinking: Modernisms

3 units

Language and Thinking is a writing-focused course aimed at introducing students to the structures and standards of academic composition. The topic for this section of Language and Thinking is Modernism. Modernism can be understood in many ways-as a cultural movement, an artistic style, a character or quality of thought-but broadly it is a term used to describe artistic and literary reactions to modernity. Taking as our starting point the great technological changes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we will explore how authors, poets, artists, and philosophers responded to the new conditions of modern life and the methods, forms, and styles they used to confront and address their changing world. In addition to completing daily readings, and actively engaging in group discussions, students will be expected to submit weekly written assignments and participate in in-class writing workshops designed to help develop specific skills related to college-level writing, including presenting evidence, crafting thesis statements, and organizing argumentative essays.