View modern culture through the lens of the popular pastime: swimming. Through literature, film, visual art, and social history, explore how swimming pools have become provocative symbols of glamour as well as contested arenas for recreation. Investigate how swimming and aquatic activities reflect pressing social issues including gender discrimination, racism, economic inequality, suburban conformity, sexuality, and community belonging. Discuss literary works that recount the joys and challenges of both recreational and competitive swimming and reflect broadly on how participation in exercise and leisure activities can profoundly shape our lives, our well-being, and personal identities. Materials to be read or viewed before each class include the website Pool: A Social History of Segregation (poolphl.com), the online magazine Pool (poolphl.com/pdfs/Pool_Magazine.pdf), paintings by visual artists, John Cheever's short story “The Swimmer” (1964), and the memoir: Swimming Studies (2012) by Leanne Shapton. In addition, students are to view the following films, available on Amazon Prime and other streaming services: Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), The Swimmer (1968), and Swim Team (2016).
For an optimal experience, pair this course with Author Visit: Vicki Valosik, Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water (2024) (Course 12816).
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