Why do books get banned, and what are the effects of censorship? In this course, students will read legal, historical, and literary documents to explore the dynamics at play when governments and other institutions assert control over what can or can’t be published, with cases studies from France, England, the U.S., and Israel. Guest lectures from other Wellesley faculty will introduce other relevant cases. We will consider cases in which censorship seems wrong-headed and evil, and others in which some degree of control over publications might seem necessary or sympathetic. Students should be prepared to consider distressing and offensive texts, so as to be able to discuss why they might (or might not) need to be controlled. Banned books we’ll consider, in whole or in part, will include Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du mal, James Joyce’s Ulysses, Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, Eve Adams’ Lesbian Love, and Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: None.

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Every other year

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: