Location:
Tuition:
Course Cancelled
We regret to say that this course must be canceled and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
We will explore the life and work of queer novelist Abdellah Taïa who has built his life and literary career between his homeland of Morocco and his adopted France. We study several of his works, including his feature-length film Salvation Army. We begin by examining his childhood, where he grew up in a poor, working-class family on the outskirts of Casablanca. As a child, Abdellah developed a fascination for Europe after being exposed to films, books and music. In his adulthood, Taia moves to Europe to finish his education, build his literary career, and live “openly” as a gay man. Here, we will explore Taia’s struggles fitting in as a queer person of color, determining what language to write in, where to go after the terrorist attacks in Paris, and how to cope with the death of his mother and muse.
Hybrid Course Format
- All classes will be delivered in-person and online via live video streaming. Students will enroll in their preferred format during registration.
- In-Person classes will be held in the Rubel Room at the University of Arizona's Poetry Center (1508 E Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85721). Enrollment for in-person classes is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. All student enrolled to attend in person also have complete online access and may choose to attend one or all class sessions remotely if desired.
- Online students may attend all classes via live video streaming and will be able to participate in all course Q&A sessions with the professor in real time. A high-speed internet connection and a device capable of running Zoom are required to connect. Online access will be password protected and only available to enrolled students.
- Class Recordings - All HSP classes regardless of format are recorded and available for every enrolled student to watch for the duration of the course and one month after the last class session. This option is offered to aid students who may be unable to attend the live class times but desire to enroll and participate asynchronously. We hope this option also aids students who are traveling or have an important appointment that conflicts with a class session to stay connected and engaged with the course material.
Registration Will Open Online:
Monday, NOVEMBER 21, 2022, at 8 AM (AZ Time)
Required Reading:
Taïa, Another Morocco, Selected Stories (short stories) 2017
Taïa, Salvation Army (novel) 2009 [2006 French]
Taïa, An Arab Melancholia (novel) 2012 [2008 French]
Taïa, Infidels (novel) 2016 [2012 French]
Taïa, A Country for Dying (novel) 2020 [2015 French]
Taïa, “Tired Men” (short story) 2021 [2021 French]- to be provided by professor
