Jnr: UGA 2013/2402­3.1.2
Course syllabus Faculty of Arts and Humanities Department of Languages 4EN005 Litteraturvetenskapliga perspektiv, 15 högskolepoäng Literary perspectives, 15 credits Main field of study English, Comparative Literature Subject Group English Level of classification Second Level Progression A1N Date of Ratification Approved 2011­05­23 Revised 2013­10­30 by Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The course syllabus is valid from spring semester 2014 Prerequisites English 1–90 credits including a degree project of at least 15 credits. Objectives Module 1. Cultural studies and English, 7.5 credits After completing the module, the student should be able to account for theories related to the field of Cultural Studies, and use the methods of the field to analyse and understand different forms of culture and cultural production. The student should also be able to demonstrate in­depth understanding of what culture is, and what functions culture has in society. The student should also be able to formulate their own research results using grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate English. In order to receive the grade of Pass with Distinction the student must also demonstrate a high degree of independence in their application of theories and methods, as well as good ability to conduct independent analyses of the cultural production included. Module 2. Islands in literature – theory, symbolism, themes, 7.5 credits After completing the module, the student should be able to account for the major trends in how islands have been portrayed as symbols and themes in pre­modern and modern Western literature. The student should also be able to independently and critically apply literary theories and
methods, especially postcolonial and eco­critical perspectives; analyse literary texts on the basis of contemporary theories; and structure analyses in the form of written arguments. After completing the module, the student should be able to account for the major trends in how islands have been portrayed as symbols and themes in pre­modern and modern Western literature. The student should also be able to independently and critically apply literary theories and
methods, especially postcolonial and eco­critical perspectives; analyse literary texts on the basis of contemporary theories; and structure analyses in the form of written arguments. The student should also be able to formulate their own research results using grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate English. In order to receive the grade of Pass with Distinction the student must also demonstrate a high degree of independence in their application of theories and methods, as well as good ability to conduct independent analyses of the literary texts included. Content All sessions marked as seminars in the schedule are compulsory. The course includes the following modules: Module 1 Cultural studies and English 7.5 credits Objectives The aim of this module is for the students to acquire knowledge of basic theories and methods associated to the field. The students apply these theories on a number of fictional and non­fictional texts, documentaries, music, film and digital media. The module focuses on how culture describes and manipulates history, as well as how it forms the basis of our sexual, ethnic and national identities. Type of Instruction Teaching is delivered in the form of lectures and seminars. Examination The module is examined through written assignments. Module 2 Islands in literature – theory, symbolism, themes 7.5 credits Objectives This module discusses how islands have been portrayed as symbols and themes in Western literature, focusing on the time period from the 16th century until today. This is discussed in relation to contemporary theories, especially postcolonial and eco­critical perspectives, and in relation to a number of literary texts. In connection to the theoretical
perspective, a number of cultural historical aspects relevant to the literary texts are also discussed. Type of Instruction Teaching is delivered in the form of lectures and seminars. Examination The module is examined through a short essay and an academic book proposal related to
the theoretical course literature. The students also comment on each other’s drafts and revise their own drafts to a final version on the basis of comments from the teacher. Type of Instruction Type of instruction is specified under Content above. Some parts of the teaching include ICT. For specific technical requirements, see the course catalogue. Examination The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). In order to receive the grade of Pass, the student must achieve the intended learning outcomes. Grading criteria for the grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) can be found under Objectives above. In order to receive the grade of Pass with Distinction, the student must have received the grade of Pass with Distinction for 7.5 of 15 credits. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). In order to receive the grade of Pass, the student must achieve the intended learning outcomes. Grading criteria for the grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) can be found under Objectives above. In order to receive the grade of Pass with Distinction, the student must have received the grade of Pass with Distinction for 7.5 of 15 credits. Examination for each module is specified under Content above. For students who do not pass the first examination, no more than four retake examinations are provided. Course Evaluation At the end of the course, a course evaluation is conducted and compiled into a report, which is made available to students and filed according to departmental regulations. Other Students who have completed the course with the grade of Pass can receive a course certificate upon request. Required Reading and Additional Study Material Required reading is listed for each module below. If there are later editions of the books than those presented below, the later editions should be used instead. Course literature listed as Additional Study Material is not compulsory. List of references Module 1 ­ Cultural studies and English 7.5 credits Bowden, Mark. 2002. Black Hawk Down. London: Transworld. 576 p. ISBN: 978 0552999656 During, Simon. 2005. Cultural Studies: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge. 240 p. ISBN: 9780415246576 Grooms, Anthony. 2002. Bombingham. New York: One World. 254 p. ISBN: 978 0345452931 Marsh, Richard. 2008. The Beetle: A Mystery. Kansas City: Valancourt Books. 416 p. ISBN: 9781934555491 Material provided by the department, 100 p. Additional material Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Dir. McG. Columbia Pictures, 2003. Kill Bill 2. Dir. Quentin Tarantino. Miramax Films, 2004 Black Hawk Down. Dir. Ridley Scott. Revolution Studios, 2001 Mississippi Burning. Dir. Alan Parker. Orion Pictures, 1988 Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Novalogic, 2003 (computer game) List of references Module 2 ­ Islands in literature – theory, symbolism, themes 7.5 credits Defoe, Daniel. 2004. Robinson Crusoe. Ed. John J Richetti. London: Penguin. 288 p. ISBN: 9780141439822 Gillis, John R. 2009. Islands of the Mind: How the Human Imagination Created the Atlantic World. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 217 p. ISBN: 9780230620865 Shakespeare, William. 2008. The Tempest. Ed. Stephen Orgel. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 256 p. ISBN: 9780199535903 Defoe, Daniel. 2004. Robinson Crusoe. Ed. John J Richetti. London: Penguin. 288 p. ISBN: 9780141439822 Gillis, John R. 2009. Islands of the Mind: How the Human Imagination Created the Atlantic World. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 217 p. ISBN: 9780230620865 Shakespeare, William. 2008. The Tempest. Ed. Stephen Orgel. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 256 p. ISBN: 9780199535903 Tiffin, Helen & Graham Huggan. 2009. Postcolonial Ecocriticism. London: Routledge.
256 p. ISBN: 9780415344586 Wells, Herbert George. 2005. The Island of Dr Moreau. London: Penguin. 176 p. ISBN: 9780141441023