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If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they
do not want to hear.
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—George Orwell
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ERIC ARTHUR BLAIR (1903-1950), known to the world as George Orwell, was an essayist, novelist, poet, journalist, broadcaster, dishwasher, colonial policeman, volunteer soldier, grocer, political activist, social critic, and prophet (of a sort). In this course we will immerse ourselves in the tumultuous history of the twentieth century through the life and writing of this unheroic hero, trenchant observer, uncertain participant, and fearless and provocative critic. Our journey will take us from England’s most exclusive boarding school, to the villages and jails of colonial Burma, the flophouses and hotel kitchens of Europe’s capitals, the mining towns of England’s industrial North, the battlefields of Spain, and finally into a dystopian future.
Ever relevant and always honest, Orwell forces us to examine the strength of our convictions and our place in a changing world. In the process, we must reckon with such enduring concerns as the challenges and discipline of writing, the use and abuse of language, class and poverty, the legacies of imperialism, the dynamics and consequences of ideological conflict, individual privacy and the rise of the surveillance state, and the dangers and attractions of authoritarianism.
The format of this seminar-style course is a combination of lecture and discussion. It is designed for students to develop their ability to read and think critically and to express themselves effectively in writing and speech. The course will introduce students to a variety of texts and academic disciplines and will encourage them to explore new ideas and interests and discover their true academic potential.
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