CRWR 291 - Topics & Forms: The OuLiPo & Constraint
FCARHUCDWINT4 credits In this course, students read works by members of the OuLiPo (Ouvroir de littérature potentielle, or Workshop of Potential Literature), a movement that uses math-based constraints to create experimental literary works; students then engage with questions about the differences between such voluntary constraints and those society and culture impose on writers. Students write original works using Oulipian and non-Oulipian constraints. Readings in English translation, though students with working knowledge of French, Italian, or Arabic can also read texts in the original languages.