EGL 282 - The Theory of Things: Objects, Emotions, Ideas

Course Units: 1

(Fall; Murphy) Everybody wants things, needs things, likes things, loves things! Things drive economies, incite wars, save lives; things help us communicate, work, play, move, talk, not talk, and so much more. The theory of things derives from humanity’s interest in material culture studies and the connections that can be made between people and physical objects. But there is so much more to consider when discussing ‘things,’ such as those things that are not physical objects-love, hate, desire, thoughts, feelings, moods, pain, concepts, ideas, and words, just to name a few. In this course, students will discuss both material and immaterial ‘things’ and in particular how ‘things’ affect people, predominantly marginalized individuals and groups. *Course developed with support from the Byron A. Nichols Fellowship for Faculty Development. Prerequisite(s): EGL 100 or EGL 101 or EGL 102 or a grade of 5 on the AP English Literature or Language test. CC: HUL, HUM