Temple Summer in London
Literature, Drama, and Film
This program explores London through the lens of literary figures, both canonical and those from historically underrepresented groups. “Shakespeare in the Movies” uses film to examine how one canonical author - William Shakespeare - remains relevant and appealing to artists and audiences today. Students study one major play and various film adaptations, including their cultural, social, and historical contexts, and learn to use appropriate terms for discussing drama and film. “Survey of American Literature” explores the literary productions and activism of American writers in London with a focus on impact of wars on the artistic imagination; the role of gender, race, and immigration in the construction of identity; and interconnections of the arts. “Representations of Gender in Film and Drama” addresses how society shapes our understanding of gender. It engages shifting gender dynamics in post-war England; racialized masculinities, postcolonial critique, and class; and conceptions of gender defined by post-industrial British society.
Primary texts include short pieces of literature and full-length films. A key element of this program is how our learning is enriched by visits to various literary and cultural sites in London, Stratford, and Cambridge, sites that connect meaningfully with our course texts.
