TIDES Proposal: Fall 2015
Course Title: Literature and Philosophy In & About New Orleans
Lyle Colombo, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor (Proposed)
Department of Philosophy
(504) 861-1118
[email protected]
PROMOTIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
Explore New Orleans through readings and discussions of literary and philosophical works written in and
about the city. Visit literary sites from Pirate’s Alley to Preservation Hall; we will even have Dinner at
Antoine’s (Frances Parkinson Keyes). Short readings, films, and guest lectures will form the basis of our
group outings and discussions of how literature illuminates a sense of place, as well as other philosophical
themes such as race, gender, and existentialism. Discover the literary imagination of New Orleans, and begin
to experience your time at Tulane as, “a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands” (Tennessee
Williams).
COURSE CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
In this course, students will explore a wide range of literature written in and about New Orleans, “the last
frontier of Bohemia” according to Mark Twain, along with various philosophical themes treated in these
works. Field trips to the French Quarter to visit literary sites, including dinner at Antoine’s Restaurant and a
trip to Preservation Hall, in addition to guest lectures by local authors will provide students with a first-hand
knowledge of the city, and an experience of the literary imagination inspired by it.
Historically, works covered range from late 19th century reflections on race and gender by authors such as
Alice Dunbar Nelson, George Washington Cable, and Kate Chopin, to Tom Sancton’s recent book Song for
My Fathers: a New Orleans Story in Black and White (2006). Themes of existentialism and the philosophy of
place will be explored in the 20th century works of Walker Percy, Tennessee Williams, and John Kennedy
Toole.
In addition to reading short excerpts of these works outside of class, each student will choose one author or
work as the focus of their study, consisting of one three page paper and a small group presentation.
Students may choose to write their paper as a philosophical or literary analysis of the work, as an
autobiographical response presented in essay form, or as a work of creative writing. Small groups will be
formed based upon author or topic chosen, and these groups will meet in and outside of class to provide
inspiration and support to one another. Each group will put together a presentation of their work on the
last day of class.
COURSE READINGS
A list of works, excerpts of which may be either assigned or listed as optional readings:
George Washington Cable, Old Creole Days
Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour; Awakenings
Alice Dunbar Nelson, Violets and other Tales
Tennessee Williams, Vieux Carre
Literature and Philosophy In & About New Orleans TIDES Proposal | 2
William Faulkner, New Orleans Sketches
Walker Percy, The Moviegoer; Lost in the Cosmos
John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces
Tom Sancton, Song for My Fathers: a New Orleans Story in Black and White (2006)
John Clark, “Carnival at the Edge of the Abyss: New Orleans and the Apocalyptic Imagination.”
Frances Parkinson Keyes and Field Trip: Dinner at Antoine’s
TOPIC OUTLINE
Week 1: The Relationship between Philosophy and Literature; Discussion of authors, works, and ideas to be
explored.
Week 2: Reading Project Discussion
Week 3: “The Last Frontier of Bohemia:” Literary Walking Tour of the French Quarter
Week 4: Existentialism: Walker Percy.
Students choose their paper topics; small groups are formed.
Week 5: Gender and Selfhood: Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour
Week 6: Tom Sancton, Song for My Fathers; Guest Lecturer: Tom Sancton and Field trip to Preservation Hall
Week 7: Oppression and Intolerance: Alice Dunbar Nelson, Violets and other Tales
Week 8: Guest Lecturer: John Clark, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University, “Carnival at the Edge of the
Abyss: New Orleans and the Apocalyptic Imagination.”
Short papers due.
Week 9: From Poet to Novelist: William Faulkner, New Orleans Sketches.
Week 10: Frances Parkinson Keyes and Field Trip: Dinner at Antoine’s
Week 11: Final Presentations.
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Roughly every other week, students will be assigned short excerpts from the works to be discussed in class.
By Week 4, students will choose one work on which to focus, and will be responsible for writing one threepage paper about it. This paper will be a semi-autobiographical response to the philosophical theme
disclosed within the work they have selected.
Students may choose to compose their paper in the style of literary or philosophical criticism, to compose an
autobiographical essay in response to the work, or to present a piece of creative writing. Students will be
placed into small groups of two to five, according to the paper topics they have chosen. These small groups
will meet both inside and outside of class to provide support and share ideas for their papers, and will
prepare a presentation of their topic to be given on the last day of class.
A long-hand journal will be kept to record reflections on reading assignments and field trips, and ideas for
the short paper and group presentations.
Literature and Philosophy In & About New Orleans TIDES Proposal | 3
GRADING SCALE
Participation
Journal
Short Paper
Group Project
40%
20%
20%
20%
TULANE CODE OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Students are expected to be familiar with the policies of the Tulane Code of Academic Conduct, and to abide
by them. http://tulane.edu/college/code.cfm
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES
As a result of this course, students will:
(1) …become familiar with a wide range of literary works written about New Orleans, and the many great
authors associated with the city, through a selection of readings, discussions, and guest lectures.
(2) …get to know New Orleans, and get a feel for its history and the literary imagination inspired by it, by
visiting several sites in the city associated with authors and their writings.
(3) …be exposed to the way the city has inspired present-day writers, through guest lectures.
(4) …gain experience in critically assessing and discussing works of literature, analyzing the philosophical
themes present within them, and applying them to one’s own experiences, through the writing of a
short paper, and small group discussions and presentations.