From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
This week, we take a look at Argentine “poet, essayist, and short-story writer” Jorge Luis Borges.
Borges was born on August 24, 1899, in Buenos Aires, Argentina and died on June 14, 1986, in Geneva, Switzerland.
What
Some of Borges’s notable works include The Aleph and Other Stories (El Aleph), Ficciones, and Labrynths (Labertintos).
Where
These works are set throughout a variety of geographical (and, often, fantastical) locations.
When
These works are set in a variety of eras and times, as Borges’s works often deal with the theme of non-linear time.
Why
The works of Borges may be of interest to AU learners who enjoy themes of time, culture, and dreams, as well as those who enjoy modernism, philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, and science fiction.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to the works of Jorge Luis Borges are available in a variety of disciplines, including those that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in learning more about this topic may enroll in ENGL 458: The Latin American Novel, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “is a concentrated study of the Latin American novel, focusing on fiction and memoir written in the context of history, politics, culture, identity, and genre.” (Please note that this course requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Prose as prerequisites).
In addition, student may be interested in PHIL 342: Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Philosophy, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “provides an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the major figures in the Western tradition of early modern thought, focusing primarily on questions about reality and knowledge.” (This course requires a junior level philosophy course as a prerequisite). Happy reading!