Through the analysis of literature and film, this seminar studies the multiple subjectivities and socio-cultural geographies that produce the category “women”. We will expand our discussion to transnational contexts to explore how feminist discourse illuminates and critiques the contemporary condition of women. The focus will be on the body and sexuality, food and eating disorders, women’s work, female authorship and agency, migration, transgender identity, alienation, solidarity and the commons.

Readings may include fiction by Edwige Danticat, Margaret Atwood, Banana Yoshimoto, Jeannette Winterson, Zaina Arafat, Marguerite Duras, Roxane Gay, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Criticism by Audre Lorde, Silvia Federici, Lauren Berlant, bell hooks, Susan Bordo.

Films may include: Sweetie (Jane Campion), The Gleaners and I (Agnés Varda), Rosetta (theDardennes), Nomadland (Chloé Zhao), Guied’ani’s Navel (Xavi Sala), Tangerine (Sean Baker).