Can people still change the world? Are we forever doomed to live at the mercy of big businesses? Is communism a failed ideology? Can we learn anything from history, and why should we even bother to read literature when everything is falling apart?

This course is an introduction to academic writing through the lens of imagination and revolution. We will focus on the power of critical thinking and art, trying to discover what we can learn from writers and artists that have attempted to imagine radical changes through their works. Our method will involve serious engagement with the readings, in-class discussions, weekly writing and self-reflection assignments, and group activities. Our goal will be two-fold: first, we will try to challenge and increase our understanding of that which moves us in the world. Secondly, we will figure out the best way to convey our thoughts in writing so as to effect the changes we envision.

In this section of COMPLIT 122, we will delve into content from different epochs and in varied genres that try, in some fashion, to address the question of revolutionary change. A few of those works will be chosen by popular vote, while the majority have been selected by me. The latter portion includes comics (Kate Evans), manifestos (Silvia Federici, Diego Riveras, Antonin Artaud), YouTube videos (Plastic Pills, Movies with Mikey), anime (Studio Ghibli), film (Fight Club and The Battle of Algiers), political essays (Audre Lorde, Frantz Fanon, Vladimir Lenin), philosophy and literary theory (Alain Badiou, Slavoj Žižek), news (The Hollywood Report, Groundcover), and a writing manual (Frank Cioffi). I am also open to including video games as part of our material for discussion, and will occasionally bring poetry and visual art to accompany our activities in class. I will encourage you to share content and ideas you believe are related to our discussions at any point.

Intended Audience:

This course will take place fully online. Different platforms will be used for different activities, including Canvas, Zoom, and Discord. In order to enroll, you will need good internet connection, a working microphone and camera.

Class Format:

Synchronous sessions will include group and class discussions, for which you will be evaluated on participation and engagement. Asynchronous graded activities include peer review workshops, weekly writing assignments on Canvas—reflections, responses to readings/discussions, writing journal—and three long written pieces that should totalize 20-30 pages of polished writing by the end of the term. Multimedia and creative projects may be considered as long as they include a written component, such as a script or a written reflection.