Complex, ambiguous; familiar and alien – these are the cities of the world. In this course we explore the writing that has created and exposed the landscapes and structures, both built and natural, of four of the world’s great cities. The main landmarks, social, historical and cultural characteristics and events, and both fictional and real people will be touched on, showing how they are used in the literature and how the literature creates a certain impression of each city. The particular literary characteristics of Berlin, London, New York and Perth, are thrown into sharp relief by a comparison with the wilderness of Antarctica. Using several extracts for each place, covering many genres – poetry, memoir, song lyrics and fiction – the essence of each place is examined.

This is a Discussion Group course, if you aren’t already part of a group please see ‘Getting Started’ below.
 

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Author: Allison Halliday

Course Code: D219

Supplied Material: Course Booklet, Source Book

Units & Pricing: 6 units / $78 per person

GETTING STARTED

Start your Group: Anyone can start a Discussion Group – seek out some like-minded friends or put up a notice in your local library, bookshop or workplace. Please note a minimum of 6 people is required to start a new discussion group.

Arrange the Meetings: New groups need to decide where and when to meet, and for how long – whatever best suits members' particular situations.

Run your Group: Choose a secretary to liaise with WEA and your tutor, a Discussion Leader to chair meetings, a reporter to take discussion notes to send to your tutor, and maybe a librarian to look after the books.

Start the Course: Contact WEA Sydney to enrol. Bookings can be made for one year, divided into two terms – Term 1 commences in February, Term 2 in July (Groups may make forward bookings for popular choices). Please indicate in what order your Group wishes to study the courses, if more than one course is booked.