ENGL 079P. Sanctuary.

While the term “sanctuary” literally refers to a sanctum within a church, the term has come to more broadly signify different types of safety from harm and discrimination. A sanctuary might refer to a country willing to offer a refugee rights and privileges; a wildlife preserve to protect endangered species; a city or campus unwilling to share information about undocumented individuals; or a community space intentionally created to protect people from harm. This course will explore the theme of sanctuary broadly-to cover various political, institutional, and cultural understandings of sanctuary-but with a specific focus on Swarthmore College and Philadelphia. Students will analyze literature, artworks, films, and nonfiction texts that address the theme of sanctuary as it relates to such topics as: race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; health and wellness; war and militarism. Alongside more canonical literary works, we will also consider community-based texts such as: Apiary Magazine’s special Sanctuary issue (2017); Sanctuary in Practice, a film made by Swarthmore students; and artists’ books commissioned by the Swarthmore College project Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary. Course requirements include active participation; a series of short writing assignments; and participation in a creative research project. For Fall 2022, this will be collaborating with individuals involved in harm reduction efforts in Philadelphia to co-create a zine that explores the intersection of art and harm reduction.
20th/21st c.
GATEWAY English Literature.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for ESCH. PEAC. GLBL-paired.
Fall 2022. Price.
Catalog chapter: English Literature
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/english-literature

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