The Art of Criticism

In this first-year writing seminar, we considered a variety of approaches to literary, art, film, and cultural criticism. In doing so, we refined our own skill as critics. Here are the fruits of our labor.

We write about artists ranging from Mobb Deep to Noah Kahan and ask whether Eleanor Oliphant is actually fine. Turkish Eurovision contestant MaNga unites the nation, while Korean and Chinese adaptations of a Japanese detective novel are grounds for cross-cultural comparison. We take long looks at “The Big Short,” Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story,” Facebook, and Nora Ephron’s neck. Drake’s foray into house music is sentenced to purgatory in Zara, while Van Halen’s self-titled album sends our critic to guitar heaven. “Hundreds of Beavers” offers a plethora of unexpected delights. Philadelphia’s Mutter Museum and Damien Hirst’s shark provoke ethical questions soaked in formaldehyde, and Young Thug’s trial tests the border between life and art.