Dog Love in Literature and Film
Instructor: Adrienne Martín, Department of Spanish & Classics, College of Letters & Science
Description: This seminar explores the intricacies of the human-canine bond in literature and film. Much has been written about the legendary intensity of dogs’ devotion to their human companions. This course centers on a series of recent non-fiction, superbly written memoirs which describe how special dogs have deeply affected the lives of their human friends in emotionally complex and profoundly healing ways. These dogs teach lessons about trust, understanding, life, death, continuity, change, and commitment, while helping their companions to face and overcome difficult challenges at a particular time in their life. The course goal is for students to gain deeper understanding and insight into the canine-human bond as well as knowledge of this particular literary and filmic genre. We will read the following books:
Willie Morris, My Dog Skip
Jon Katz, A Dog Year
Caroline Knapp, Pack of Two
Mark Doty, Dog YearsFormat: The seminar meets for five 2-hour sessions. Class discussion will center on what these works tell us about the culture in which we live, on personal growth and enrichment, and our relationship with the ultimate “companion animal.” Grading: We will read one book per weekly session. There are no required activities outside of regularly scheduled contact hours, except for reading and preparing for the discussion, and possibly film viewing. The instructor will provide discussion questions in advance of each session. Grades will be based on: quality of participation in class discussions (30%), four 2- page reaction papers (40%), and small-group presentations (30%).
About the Instructor: Adrienne Martín is Professor of Golden Age (sixteenth and seventeenth century) Spanish literature. She teaches that literature in the Spanish Department, as well as directing student performances of classical Spanish plays. A lifelong dog lover and companion of two border collies, she competes intensively in agility with them. She is also currently writing a book on companion animals in early modern Spanish literature and art.