Aims

The student should acquire a precise idea of the gender relations in European culture throughout the ages and especially in Dutch literature.

Main themes

Sociological study of the gender relations in society. Analysis of the way women are represented in Dutch literature. Introduction to several Dutch female authors.

Content and teaching methods

Hugo Claus's The Sorrow of Belgium and the Grotesque

Hugo Claus (1929) is one of the most famous contemporary Flemish writers. His major novel The Sorrow of Belgium, which is considered as an intermixing of Claus's technical virtuosity, best exemplifies his remarkable and prolific work. In 1999, it received the 'Book of the Century Award'.
This course will (re) read The Sorrow of Belgium from the aesthetic notion of the grotesque, which inhabits it. Theoretical texts will be used to dynamically approach the grotesque, in order to continue, as readers, Claus's creative work: it reveals, among others, the experience of the ambivalent and chocking laughter as well as the vulgarity of popular culture.
This course will be conducted in seminar form, which will give students the opportunity to present the results of their research.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : A good knowledge of the Dutch history of ideas and culture.


Evaluation : Part of the grade is given for the class presentation and the written report of the analysis. The other part is given for the oral examination, during which the student can present a question linked with the course.

Teaching materials : Anthology of texts written by female authors and a very exhaustive bibliography is provided.

Other credits in programs