In this course we will look at Gertrude Stein's theory and practice of language composition in relation to the arts of her contemporary moment and ours. Stein wrote, "the whole business of writing is the question of living in [one's] contemporariness." For Stein that involved interest in the sciences of her time as well as a close kinship with the visual arts, most notably the Cubism of Cezanne, Braques, Gris and Picasso. Her interest in new Euro-American music led to extensive collaborations with the American composer Virgil Thomson. With this in mind we will be reading The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (a detailed evocation of her cultural-historical milieu), Stein's book on Picasso, her own language "portraits," and selections from her poetry, essays, operas and plays. We will also view/listen to art and music related to her work. Throughout the semester there will be attention to the implications of Stein's influence on late twentieth and twenty-first century arts-e.g., that of John Cage, Stan Brakhage, selected visual artists and poets. Students will have the opportunity to submit creative projects (in the media of their choice) related to Gertrude Stein's aesthetic. There will be regularly scheduled short essay assignments in response to the materials of the course. Enrollment limited to 15.

ART 200 Cybergraphics
CLAS 101 Rise and Fall of Athens
FILM 267 History of Video Art
LIT 3305 Writing the Contemporary
MUS 216 Arithmetic of Listening
MUS WKSH F Integrated Music & Art