Teaching

Introduction to Theory

Spring 2026

Curiosities of Critical Thinking

This seminar will examine modern and contemporary practices of literary and cultural "theory" in ways that highlight the moral, psychological, and political interests that guide cultural analysis. This course considers theory to be a form of thought— at once analytical and speculative— that is practiced by writers, philosophers, scientists, and critics alike. Our readings will thus include literary texts that engage in abstract thought (e.g. Lewis Carroll), as well as critical studies whose relationship to literature is central to their analytical or social/scientific methods.

Topics in 20th Century and Later Literature

Spring 2026

Modern Literature and the Occult

The allure of magic, spiritualism, and the secrets of the ancient world has often been dismissed as a mania that has drawn writers, artists, musicians, and even politicians under its dark, illogical spell. This course proposes otherwise, studying the intersections between literature, science, spirituality, and extra-scientific thinking that take place under the sign of the occult. From witchcraft to the Tarot, from astrology to the Kabbalah, occult practices and traditions have lent themselves to new forms of experimental play as well as renewed attention to traditional knowledges and the possibilities of anticolonial liberation. So too, however, have occult knowledges been leveraged toward more sinister, repressive ends. In reading and discussing works of modern literature and other texts documenting "occult" thinking, this course aims to explore the far horizons not only of literary creation, but also of reason itself. We will explore issues of cultural difference, colonization and imperialism, and the politics of knowledge. Rather than assigning occultism to the dustbin of intellectual history, we will study how a diverse body of modern writers have envisioned non-orthodox ways of thinking as vehicles for insight and productive experimentation.

Course Topics

Undergraduate Courses

“What is Literature?” (English), Fall 2024.

“Poetry and Poetics” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2023.

“Experimental Drama” (Comparative Literature & English), Spring 2023.

Seminar in Criticism and Theory (Comparative Literature), Fall 2022; Fall 2021; Fall 2019; Fall 2016; Fall 2005.

“Introduction to Critical Reading/ Reading across Cultures” (English/Comparative Literature), Spring 2021; Spring 2015.

“Fantastic Worlds” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2021; Fall 2013.

“Banned Books” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2019.

“Literature and the Occult” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2020; Spring 2019; Spring 2018; Spring 2016; Fall 2013; Spring 2012 (2 sections); Fall 2009.

“Introduction to World Drama” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2018.

“1916-2016: A Century of Experimental Arts,” (Comparative Literature/Arts & Architecture), co-taught with Amy Dupain Vashaw, Spring 2016.

“Contemporary Literature” (English), Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2006.

“Modern Literature in English” (English), Spring 2014.

“Uncanny October” (1-credit seminar, co-taught with Gregory Eghigian ), Fall 2013.

“The Short Story” (English/Comparative Literature), Fall 2011.

“Introduction to Critical Reading” (English), Spring 2009 and Spring 2010.

“Experimental Noir” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2009.

Literature and Film: “The Parlance of Our Times: Literature, Film, Historiography” (Comparative Literature/Communications), Spring 2009.

(Honors) Race and Gender in Western Lit.: “Down and Out in Paris and London.” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2007.

Freshman Seminar: “Surrealism, Experimental Literature, and Modern Life” (Comparative Literature) Fall 2006.

Honors Introduction to Comparative Literature: “Three Modernisms” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2006.

American Studies : “Spectacle in the City” (American Studies), Spring 2004.

American Literature since 1865 (English), Fall 2003 and Spring 2004

Popular Culture and Folk Life: “Crime Fiction and the Myth of Violence” (American Studies), Fall 2003 and Spring 2004.

Graduate Seminars

“Teaching Global Literatures” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2024.

“Global Surrealisms” (Comparative Literature/English), Spring 2024.

“Genders of Affiliation: Post-Truth Collectivism” (English/Comparative Literature/WGSS; co-taught with Hil Malatino), Spring 2022.

“Genealogies, Canons, Cruisings: Histories of Theory” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2020.

“Global Surrealisms” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2018.

“Experimental Forms” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2016.

“Magical Formalism” (Comparative Literature), Fall 2015.

“The Age of Reason” (5-week proseminar, Comparative Literature), Spring 2014.

“What is an Archive?” (5-week proseminar, Comparative Literature), Fall 2013 and Fall 2011.

“Oddity, Unreason, Modernity.” (English/Comparative Literature), Spring 2013.

“Teaching Machines/Reading Systems.” (5-week proseminar, Comparative Literature), Spring 2013.

“J.M. Coetzee and South Africa.” (1-credit seminar, co-taught with Gabeba Baderoon), Fall 2012.

“Psychoanalysis and Its Literature.” (English and Comparative Literature), Fall 2011.

“What is an Avant-Garde?” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2010

Proseminar in Comparative Literature: “The Futures of Comparative Literature,” Fall 2009.

“Surrealism and the Left,” (English/Comparative Literature) Spring 2008.

“The Theory Canon.” (Comparative Literature), Spring 2008.

“Black Paris.” Team-Taught Seminar (French, Comparative Literature, History), Spring 2007.

“Theory vs. Theory” (English/Comparative Literature), Fall 2006 and Fall 2005.