ENGL 368 - Cultures of Basketball

FC ARHU CD WINT

4 credits
This course examines the history of basketball play and its attendant culture. We will approach the game as a generator of cultural myths, a socio-historical practice, and as embodied aesthetic performance. To do so, we will use methods of literary studies together with other disciplines to examine texts, players, teams, moments, techniques, strategies and styles of play - particularly in professional basketball - from the time of the game’s invention in 1891 to the present. We will pay special attention to the complex relationship between athletic ideals like sportsmanship, moral notions like unselfishness, and social categories such as race and gender.
Prerequisites & Notes: ENGL 299 or two 200-Level courses or consent of instructor.