That's what I want to do, I really want to study more modern lit. I've heard tell of Emily Barton, but I'll try to get into a class. Are they difficult to get into?
It will be Contemporary Lesbian Fiction (I don't remember the exact title). I will almost definitely take or audit it. But Emily just tends to pick books she likes, so it won't be overwhelmingly political (unless the class makes it that way, but she will almost definitely resist that).
Interesting, so you think it would be okay if I took it even though I know next to nothing about the topic (besides the fiction part, obviously)? Basically what you're saying is that it doesn't matter because Emily Barton is amazing?
Well, Contemporary Women Writers was just a collection of Emily's favorite (straight, because she cut the lesbians to do a separate class) women writers and their writings. So there was literally no "theme" to the class; we just read good books. Sometimes we talked about gender. Sometimes we just read good books.
Now, because I bet Lesbian Fiction is going to be cross-listed as Gender and Sexuality Studies, I think there will be more of a discussion (at least by class members, and perhaps even by Emily) of the lesbian bit. But, I do suspect it will similarly be good books written by people who happen to be lesbians (or people writing about lesbians, or both, or whatever). But talking to her will reveal how strong this theme is going to be.
I'm sold. Whether the literature is politicized or not, if the books are good it shouldn't matter. Besides, I'm always interested by gender discussions, even more-so when I'm not expected to take part in them (I constantly feel like I'm going to step on somebody's toes, especially at Bard). We shall see. I hope Emily Barton doesn't mind me contacting her by email, as I'm probably going to be out of the country until December 20th, which is the exact last day of Bard. I'm just talking, really, I don't expect her to mind, professors don't seem to if you have a good reason. Enough babbling!
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Also, happy birthday!!!!
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Now, because I bet Lesbian Fiction is going to be cross-listed as Gender and Sexuality Studies, I think there will be more of a discussion (at least by class members, and perhaps even by Emily) of the lesbian bit. But, I do suspect it will similarly be good books written by people who happen to be lesbians (or people writing about lesbians, or both, or whatever).
But talking to her will reveal how strong this theme is going to be.
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