This FIG will explore sexual discourses in literature and early film. We will examine sexual norms and taboos and their representation and expression in works of literature, in society, in film, and in other cultural products. Please note that we may screen or discuss material that contains nudity, graphic violence, explicit sex and other potentially culturally sensitive themes/situations. If, for whatever reason, such subject matter makes you uncomfortable, it is worth considering whether this FIG is right for you.
College Connections Faculty: Matthias Vogel
Matthias Vogel hails from Mainz, Germany. Mainz, the site of the original 1450 movable type Gutenberg press that launched the era of widely available printed materials. Also in Mainz is the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, where he received his B.A. in 1993. In 1995 he completed his M.A. in Comparative Literature at the University of Oregon in Eugene where he also advanced to Doctoral Candidacy in 1996. As Language Coordinator and Senior Instructor, he now teaches mainly language, culture, and pedagogy classes and has made Second Language Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition his main fields of specialization. Matthias also coordinates the “Deutsch erleben!” German Global Scholars Immersive community at the UO and, as a certified Goethe Institute tester, gives German language certification exams for the department. When not working, Professor Vogel enjoys taking advantage of the outdoor activities Oregon has to offer, including hiking, biking, and running.
FIG Assistant: Kelsey McFee
Kelsey McFee is a second year student at the University of Oregon. She is a English Major with the interest of moving into the Book Publishing world. Originating from Clackamas, Oregon, Kelsey is finding the transition from home to Eugene a comfortable transfer, but looking for just the right place to fit in. Kelsey has read over 350 books in a year, which means if you ever need a book recommendation, she is the one you can count on. When not doing homework, she enjoys reading, Netflix (specifically Supernatural, Sherlock, and Friends), hanging out with friends, and movie nights. For this year’s FIG, she intends to combine some of these events, hosting her version of Oktoberfest, movie night, and learning how to get off campus, to show students what it has to offer them and to get to know Eugene a little. Most of all, Kelsey is very excited to meet all the students in the FIG and to explore their interests.
Week of Welcome:
Our FIG will meet on Friday, September 23rd at 10 AM in Columbia 150! Please arrive around 10 minutes early, as we will be moving to another location shortly after 10!
Summer Assignment:
Before coming to campus you have two small assignments. First, email Kelsey at kmcfee@uoregon.edu to let her know your name, prospective major or possible interest, your interests academically, and your current favorite movie or tv show. This info will give a head start in getting to know you and is also a chance for you to ask any questions you have about classes, Eugene, good places to eat. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
The second assignment is to read the Common Reading, Between the World and Me, watch Melissa McCarthy’s SNL clip, Movie Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6_0BUvxZ68) and write a minimum of two page response to the following questions (Only answer 6, one has to be the Common reading question):
- What is your favorite love story?
- How did you learn about sex?
- Does sex occupy a role in your life?
- Have you ever had the “birds and the bees talk” with your parents?
- Which films makes you uncomfortable viewing with others (parents) because of sex scenes? —SNL video
- How is love portrayed in films you’ve seen this summer?
- Have you ever been in love?
- How is love love different from infatuation or sex?
- Do you feel comfortable talking about love and sex openly (in front of your parents or friends)?
- What is courtly love?
- Have you read Plato’s Symposium?
- How important is marriage for you?
- Is love and sex possible only between a man and a woman? Are you aware of the LGTBQ resources on campus?
- Has love and sex been used as a means to control you?
- Are you aware of the sexual violence on campus, in sororities, fraternities, in society and the resources you can access on campus if you become a victim of sexual violence?
- From your perspective, how does the common reading tie into the topics of explicit content and love?
Are you looking for future classes related to your FIG?
The courses below are related to the focus of your FIG and are a great way to keep exploring the subject matter that you dove into your first term at the UO. Many of these courses satisfy general education requirements.
- PHIL 170: Love & Sex
- PHIL 332: Philosophy of Film
- ANTH 173: Evolution of Human Sexuality
- ENG 110: Intro to Film & Media
- ENG 381: Film, Media, & Culture
- GER 354: German Gender Studies