NHUM
3035

Performing Gender: Paris in the Roaring Twenties

Schools of Public Engagement: BPATS

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Majors Only
Performing Gender: 1920s Paris
Fall 2025
Taught By: Terri Gordon
Section: A

CRN: 17931

Credits: 3

Jazz-age Paris was, in the words of Maurice Sachs, “the decade of illusion.” It was the era of dancing, le bal nègre, Mistinguett, the Charleston, Josephine Baker, and jazz; it was the era of Cocteau, Picasso, Man Ray, Kiki de Montparnasse, and the Ballets Russes; it was the era of Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, and the flapper. This course provides a cultural overview of Paris in the Roaring Twenties, with a focus on the representation of women on stage and in literary texts. Our study includes surrealist art and literature, avant-garde film, performance art, jazz music, and cultural criticism. We examine a number of paradigms that arise in the literature of the period, from “the New Woman” to the female phantom to the machine woman. We pay close attention both to primary sources and cultural reception. Art and films of or about the period will be shown. There is a creative, role-playing component to the course. Readings include Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, Colette’s Chéri, Andre Breton’s Nadja, Leonora Carrington’s “The Debutante,” Gertrude Stein’s The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, Djuna Barnes’ Nightwood, and the poetry of Langston Hughes.

Prerequisites: No Prerequisites
Co-Requisites: No Co-requisites

College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)

Department: BPATS (BPAT)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Lecture (L)

Modality: Online - Asynchronous

Max Enrollment: 21

Repeat Limit: N/A

Add/Drop Deadline: September 9, 2025 (Tuesday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: November 17, 2025 (Monday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Open*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 1:44am EDT 3/29/2025

Meeting Info:
Times: 12:00am - 12:00am
Building: Online Course
Room: 999
Date Range: 8/27/2025 - 12/15/2025