JAN 308 - Fencing and Swords in History and Popular Culture

Instructor(s):  Rigsby, Ellen/Thelen, Carl
Email:  erigsby@stmarys-ca.edu

En Garde! Prepare to enter the world of D’Artagnan, Zorro, and Luke Skywalker.

This class is two things: a beginning fencing class (that’s the easy part), and an exploration of all things fencing, including a medieval duel with 30 people to a side! We will examine the cultural representations of fencing in the western tradition and through popular culture; fencing and race and gender in the US; the sociology of fencing in the history of dueling and honor culture; how fencing culture intersects with the culture of sport in contemporary fencing; and representations of fencing in movies. You will get training in fight choreography using Star Wars lightsabers, and perform a fight for the class. There’s even a lesson about the relationship between fencing and communism. There will be a required field trip to observe a sword fighting practice with the Society for Creative Anachronism one Thursday after class in the evening. And through it all, you learn to fence. Athletes, please note this class will feel like an additional workout.

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3-CU