Course Name: 鈥淓xtremely Revealing Bullshit鈥: The Art of Professional Wrestling
Instructor: Prof. Daniel Tysdal
Course Description: It鈥檚 not surprising that most people asked to describe professional wrestling use some variation on the word 鈥渂ullshit.鈥 鈥淭he fighting鈥檚 fake,鈥 they sneer, 鈥淭he matches are fixed, and the politics are garbage.鈥 What is surprising is that pro-wrestling fans won鈥檛 argue with these assessments. Instead, they will follow Oliver Lee Bateman鈥檚 lead and go one step further. Pro wrestling is bullshit, yes, but it鈥檚 鈥渆xtremely revealing bullshit.鈥
What exactly does a close look at pro wrestling鈥檚 鈥渂ullshit鈥 reveal? It reveals a distinct, complex, and dynamic artistic medium. It reveals an art that fascinates and inspires writers, artists, and thinkers across mediums and disciplines. It reveals a community that, in recent years, has grown more progressive and inclusive, with examples including Effy鈥檚 Big Gay Brunch, the feminist promotion BLOWW, which 鈥渟mash[es] bottles, hearts, and the patriarchy,鈥 and Nyla Rose, the first transgender wrestler to hold a major championship belt.
In , we will Swanton Bomb into pro wrestling鈥檚 revelatory 鈥渂ullshit,鈥 exploring pro wrestling as an artistic medium and examining how pro wrestling manifests in literature, other artistic mediums, and contemporary conversations around race, gender, sexuality, and class. We will meet real pro wrestlers in the flesh, attend a live show, and even have the chance to step in the ring.
Just as importantly, we will undertake writing assignments as part of our explorations, with both academic and creative options available, adding our own 鈥渆xtremely revealing bullshit鈥 to the cheers, boos, and chants roused by this vibrant, one-of-a-kind art.
Learn more about Prof. Daniel Tysdal's teaching and research, as well as how to contact him with any questions.
Course Features:
- In this course you will read a selection of theory and criticism essays: THE COMIC BOOK STORY OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING : A HARDCORE, HIGH-FLYING, NO-HOLDS-BARRED HISTORY OF THE ONE TRUE SPORT; THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BE KING : THE MADUSA STORY; THE DEAD WRESTLER ELEGIES CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION).
- You will also watch pro-wrestling matches (video and in person).