What is the work of critical theory in the 21st century? At the turn of the millennium, Bruno Latour infamously professed that critique had “run out of steam,” calling for a radical reevaluation of our theoretical instruments and critical postures. Pivoting on Latour’s provocation, this seminar will explore new and experimental methods and discourses that have gained traction over the past few decades. This seminar is not a survey of contemporary theory, however, but an introduction to the practice of theory: discussions and assignments will give you opportunities to test your critical voice and develop skills in reading theory. Punctuated by special guest lectures from various faculty in Comparative Literature, this course will expose you to a wide array of emergent paradigms including, but not limited to: new materialism; afrofuturism and afropessimism; posthumanism and anthropocene studies; bio/geo/necropolitics; neoliberal aesthetics and debt studies; disability studies; translation studies; queer theory and transgender studies.

Course Requirements:

Course requirements include weekly blog posts; regular brief argumentative papers; engaged class presence and participation.