Explore the global history of romanticism through poetry, literary essays, and political tracts by figures who are part of the global romantic canon as well as by Indian romantic poets who are not. Learn why 20th-century Indian poets writing at the height of anti-colonial political struggles found romanticism appealing, and what we can understand of romanticism when we place these poets and writers alongside each other.
Readings will include poetry and/or prose by British and German writers such as William Wordsworth and Johann Gottfried Herder, Indian writers who had a global audience, such as Toru Dutt, Sarojini Naidu and Rabindranath Tagore, and Indian writers who were typically not read outside India, such as Mahadevi Varma, Gurram Jashuva and Kuvempu.
All readings will be in English or in English translation. Students with familiarity in any of the languages represented on the syllabus (German, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada) are encouraged to read along in the original.
Career Readiness: Employers have identified eight Career Readiness Competencies they view as essential for student success in internships and post-graduation roles. This course will help you develop the following essential competencies: communication, critical thinking and equity and inclusion. Learn more about gaining and articulating your skills by visiting the Build Career Readiness Competencies page on the UW Career & Internship Center website.
Course Goals:
This course will enable you to:
- Understand and evaluate the following key concepts – global romanticism; imagination; naturalism; epic; lyric; South Asia.
- Develop basic knowledge of modern South Asia and the ability to contextualize South Asian literature
- Analyze and work with the diverse texts covered in this course, including literature, poetry, and academic essays
- Engage critically with readings to develop your own response to them
- Develop an argument about literary texts using evidence, context, and close readings
- Identify 3 Career Readiness Competencies you developed in this course
Required texts: Gabbilam: A Dalit Epic, by Gurram Jashuva, trans. Chinnaiah Jangam.
All other readings for this course will be available on Canvas, or as a course packet.