Literary studies - fundamentals 15-PL-11

The course Literary Studies: Fundamentals serves as an introduction to basic notions in literature and in the literary theory. It provides students with useful terminology and analysis of various literary concepts and theories. The first part of the course is devoted to a definition of a literary work as an object of poetics, for example its structure, stylistics, metrics, literary genres (references to Polish literature are made). The second part of the course describes the development of literary criticism from the Antiquity to the contemporary times and covers the following fields of study: Mimesis, Marxist literary theories, Psychoanalysis, Russian Formalism, Structuralism, Deconstruction, New Historicism, Postcolonial Studies and Feminist Studies. After finishing the course students are familiar with basic terminology in the area of literature and literary studies and acquire language skills appropriate for the specialization and discipline they study (literature) as required for the level C1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages. The course ends with a written test consisting of three to four questions in the form of mini-essays. The questions examine, first, the knowledge of the literary terms and literary theories covered during the course; second, the questions examine students’ skills to properly define literary concepts, to compare and contrast different methodological trends in literary studies, and to draw logical conclusions.

Module learning aims

The knowledge of basic terminology and turns in the field of literary studies The knowledge how to analyze a literary work Developing students' skills to apply their knowledge of the methods and trends in literary studies in their own analysis of novels, stories, poems, etc. Preparing methods and tools of talking about literature Teaching the students open-mindedness and sensitivity when talking about literature and stimulating their curiosity about various literary and cultural phenomena

Information on where to find course materials

Moodle Syllabus (because of copyrights all materials used in class are not posted on Moodle); all required books and critical sources are available in the library at Collegium Novum.

Major

English philology Specialisations: Celtic studies, South-African studies

Methods of teaching for learning outcomes achievement

Interactive lecture

Course module conducted remotely (e-learning)

Moodle

Student workload (ECTS credits)

2 ECTS

Cycle of studies

1st cycle

Module type

compulsory

Year of studies (where relevant)

Year 2

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences

advanced knowledge of English; basic knowledge of Polish and world literature

Course coordinators

Urszula Kizelbach

Learning outcomes

Students:

• possess basic knowledge concerning the analysis of a literary work and can tell the difference between literature and non-literature
• are able to use professional terminology/metalanguage in the study of a literary work
• are familiar with the literary genres and are able to use proper terminology in adequate literary context
• know how to acquire knowledge about literature and how to develop their research skills in the field of literature and literary studies
• are interested to learn more about the world and to know other literatures and cultures
• possess theoretical knowledge of literature and are aware that this knowledge needs to be improved and updated constantly and consistently for the sake of their future careers

Assessment criteria

Students are evaluated on the basis of the final test (5-6 general questions in the form of mini-essays, describing basic notions in literary studies, comparing and contrasting two or more trends/turns in literary criticism, each question is worth max. 15 points). Additionally, students are encouraged to ask critical questions about literarure and the theories they learn, so their active participation in the lecture is also taken into account. Attendance: the class is obligatory, so the students' presence is another factor contributing to their final grade.

Practical placement

not applicable

Bibliography

Anthlogies:
The Norton anthology of theory and criticism. 2001. (Edited by Vincent B. Leitch.) New York and London: W.W. Norton and Company.
Con Davis, R. and L. Finke (eds.). 1989. Literary criticism and theory: The Greeks to the present. London: Longman.
Rivkin, Julie and Michael Ryan (eds.). 2004. Literary theory: An anthology. (2nd edition.) Maiden: Blackwell Publishing.

Litarary history and criticism:
Culler, Jonathan. 1997. Literary theory. A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Eagleton, Terry. 2008. Literary theory. An introduction. Malden: Blackwell Publishing Press.
Habib, M.A.R. 2005. A history of literary criticism. From Plato to the present. Malden: Blackwell Publishing Press.
Kulawik, Adam. 1997. Poetyka. Wstęp do teorii dzieła literackiego. Kraków: Antykwa.
Jefferson, Anne i David Robey (eds.). Modern literary theory. A comparative introduction. Totowa, New Jersey: Barnes & Noble.
Waugh, Patricia (ed.). 2006. Literary theory and criticism. An Oxford guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wellek, Renee and Austin Warren. 1973. Theory of Literature. Harmondsworth : Penguin Books

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 15-PL-11 in USOSweb