HNAR-307: The Art of Translation

This course looks at various forms of translations and variations on several themes in literature and art; from the classics (Anne Carson on poems by Sappho), to indigenous literature (Joy Harjo's compendium of contemporary native poetry), to moments in film (Jean Cocteau's Beauty & The Beast, Krystof Zieslowski's translation of the 10 commandments in his television series: "Decalogue"), to music (jazz singer Esperanza Spalding's interpretation of William Blake's "Little Fly," and art (painters Cy Twombly, Edith Schloss, and William Kentridge on mythology). It will offer students the opportunity to not only try their hand at translating for their final project, but also explore how it might alter their concept of design as a translation of a primary source.