Comparative Studies
Paper CS 5
The Body
The Body paper is comparative in terms of both language areas and media covered (while its core is literary, it also incorporates other types of text, visual art, and film). You will see from the material listed that the time-span of the paper runs from the 18th century to the present day, and that a variety of approaches is implied.
The examination paper will have four sections:
- Mind and Body
- Illness and Pain
- Sexuality and Performance
- Power and Politics
Each section comprises two more specific topics. Candidates will be required to answer a total of three questions in the exam, taking them from at least two of the sections. Answers will be required to be comparative over three language areas (which may include English or another language in translation) in the paper as a whole (or optional dissertation), and comparative between at least two language areas in any one question. All Optional Dissertations must therefore be comparative over three language areas (which may include English). Material from any additional language areas may be used, either in the original or in translation.
The provision of teaching for The Body consists of (see also online Lecture List entry for Part II Comparative Studies):
- 8 lectures, Mon 10 (fortnightly), divided between the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. You are advised to attend all lectures.
- 16 seminars, Weds 4-5, in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms (2 seminars for each of the 2 topics in the 4 sections of the paper). You are advised to attend sessions for at least four topics. In the first of each set of seminars, the two convenors will present papers relating to the required reading for the topic. In the second seminar of each set, short papers will be given by students, relating to material in the language areas in which they specialize. The lecture for topic 1 will be on Monday of week 1, and the seminars for it on Wednesday of weeks 1 and 2, and so forth. Supervision will be arranged by the convenors of the papers, and students might have 6-8 supervisions in the course of the year.
In addition there are various relevant lectures for other papers which you might like to attend. Several other Faculties and Departments (including English and HPS) also offer lectures which could be of value. Please check the lecture lists.
You should expect to make a brief presentation for at least one of the Body paper seminars. In addition, you should expect 6 supervisions, for which you should write essays. These supervisions will be organized for you by the convenors of the seminars. Where necessary, they will refer you to specialists in particular language areas.
Course convenor = Dr Ian James, Downing College irj20@cam.ac.uk
- Preliminary reading list (80k pdf)
- Lecture summaries, 2012-13
- Seminar reading and essay titles, 2012-13
- Download past exam papers from CamTools (Click on MML Faculty, Comparative Studies).
