Writing the War on Terror: Literature and Film after 9/11
ENGL 341
Spring 2027
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01
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September 2026 marks the twenty-five year anniversary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. In this interdisciplinary seminar, we will explore how contemporary literature, film, and television have depicted 9/11 and the ensuing War on Terror, while considering the historical roots of these events. We will examine the ethical implications and underlying biases of stories about violence, warfare, and torture, and study the techniques artists use to craft meaningful narratives that shape our understanding of justice, power, and human experience. This course will include a significant workshop component, in which students will create essays and fictional stories that engage critically with our course material. By the end of the seminar, students will have a deeper understanding of how 9/11 and the War on Terror have influenced literature, film, and society, and they will develop stronger skills in writing thoughtfully about historical and political issues. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: ENGL296 OR ENGL292 OR ENGL216 OR ENGL292A OR ENGL216A OR ENGL380 OR COL227 OR COL227Z |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Mohsin Hamid. THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST
Elina Hirvonen. WHEN I FORGOT
Rajiv Joseph. THREE PLAYS
Nadeem Aslam. BLIND MAN'S GARDEN
Mikhail, Dunya. DIARY OF A WAVE OUTSIDE THE SEA
Laura Poitras. CITIZEN FOUR (film)
Alex Gibney. WE STEAL SECRETS (film)
Ramy Youssef. #1 HAPPY USA FAMILY (television)
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Examinations and Assignments:
Short Writing Assignments, 1-2 workshop submissions, oral presentations, midterm, final project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course contributes to the fulfillment of ENGL major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course, elective.
If you have not completed one of the prerequisite courses, please contact the instructor at hsawhney@wesleyan.edu to request a prerequisite override. |
| Instructor(s): Sawhney,Hirsh Times: ....R.. 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 2 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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