American Literature
The course covers the entire period from the time of early settlers, through the westward movement to the contemporary period. American literature is integrally connected with the experiences of a people struggling to establish themselves as a nation.
Appreciating Films
Appreciating Films is a course that focuses on film criticism, allowing students to develop their skills in analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting films from a critical perspective. Participants will learn about the history and evolution of film criticism, different theoretical frameworks used in analyzing movies, and how to write thoughtful and insightful film reviews. The course will explore various elements of filmmaking, such as narrative structure, cinematography, direction, performances, and themes, helping students to articulate their opinions effectively and constructively. Through in-depth discussions and practical exercises, students will gain the tools to become more discerning and informed film critics, contributing valuable insights to the world of cinema appreciation.
Health Humanities and Trauma Narratives
This course attempts a familiarization of the interface between medicine, narratives,
trauma and memory. Module 1 is a conceptual orientation; it tries to situate, in a
somewhat general way, the issue of ‘the uncanny’ through the readings of Ernst Jentsch,
Sigmund Freud, Colin Davis, and Cathy Caruth. Module 2 focuses particularly on the
theories of medical humanities with readings from Cathy Caruth, Alan Bleakley and
Charon Rita. Module 3 examines theories of trauma and discusses essays by Elisabeth M.
Loevlie Anne Whitehead and Catalina Botez. Module 4 is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ list that
showcases ‘Graphic literature’; it is felt that such a selection will highlight the issue of
newer modes of representation that surpasses what is usually discussed under the rubric
of ‘literary representation’, especially with regard to traumatic and uncanny events.
Module 5 discusses three graphic novels dealing AIDS, cancer and mental illness.
India Retold: Readings on Indian Polity, Secularism and Sustainability
The course is conceived as an essential reader for the undergraduate students to become more informed citizens of the world through a close reading of some of the fundamental assumptions of Indian polity and secularism by examining the praxis of Gandhian thought and reflecting on sustainable environment.