Topics in Irish Lit:

SAME AS ENGL-UA 0761.

This course will conduct an intensive examination of Samuel Beckett's career, reading closely his poetry, novels, letters, essays, and dramatic works against the literary, philosophical, political and historical contexts in which they were written and received. Along the way we will consider how attempts to define Beckett -- as Irish, as French, as Modernist, Existentialist, Post-modernist, humanist, and nihilist -- have all fallen short of his unique blend of tragic and comic genius.

Emphasis varies by semester; designed to allow flexibility in course offerings from visiting scholars and specialists in particular fields. Past examinations have included contemporary Irish fiction and poetry, Irish women writers, and Northern Irish poetry.