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127010 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2020W)

British fiction and literary conventions: investigating genre

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

UPDATE (2.11)- in accordance with the government's and the rectorate's decisions, this course is currently held online only, at least until the Christmas break. Any potential update will be communicated to you via email and here. Thank you for your understanding!
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Please note that this is a HYBRID FORMAT = mix of online and on-site sessions.

On-site sessions will take place on 08.10, 15.10, 10.12, 07.01, 14.01, 21.01 and 28.01 (if possible and depending on official instructions). The Unterrichtsraum allows for enough room for our whole group to meet while observing the appropriate social distancing rules and hygiene standards. We will of course adapt to the situation and move some of these sessions online if necessary.

All other sessions will be online.

  • Thursday 08.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 15.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 22.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 29.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 05.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 12.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 19.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 26.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 03.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 10.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 17.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 07.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 14.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 21.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Thursday 28.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Digital
    Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we will discuss British fiction across the centuries and focus on literary genres as the creative means to address contemporary preoccupations, questions and anxieties. By examining several key texts of different genres of fiction, we will look at generic conventions not as “fixed procedures imposed by impersonal tradition”, but as “constitutive and enabling” as Paul Alpers phrases it, that is to say, as providing flexibility to both preserve and transform aspects of the genre in order to keep sharpening its relevance. Like social institutions, genres are not static and inflexible, but rather survive through the constant reshaping of their conventions by individuals – and this is what we will examine together by analysing texts belonging to various types of British fiction, whether it is Elizabethan theatre, political drama, Romantic poetry, Gothic fiction, farcical comedy, or detective fiction.

This course builds on the knowledge students gained in the introductory lectures. Participants taking this course should be familiar with the basics of literary analysis (narrative techniques, genre, point of view, etc.). The course will enable participants to develop their practical skills in the critical analysis and interpretation of literary texts (drama, poetry and narrative fiction), and to deepen their knowledge of concepts and terminology necessary to the study of literary texts.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance (you may miss a maximum of two sessions without justification) and active participation in classroom discussion, in group work and on Moodle; regular preparation of assigned reading material; active in expert team providing input for one session in the term; portfolio of written tasks (consisting in a creative writing or a close reading piece, a critical review, and a short close reading essay at the end of term).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

- Active participation in classroom discussion and on Moodle: 20% (participation 15%, glossary entry 5%)
- Expert input during one session and creation of a handout: 20%
- Portfolio of written tasks: 60% (creative writing or close reading: 15%, critical review: 15%, short close reading essay: 30%)

Points must be collected in all of these categories. Students must attain at least 60% to pass this course.

Marks in %:
1 (sehr gut): 90-100
2 (gut): 80-89
3 (befriedigend): 70-79
4 (genügend): 60-69
5 (nicht genügend): 0-59

Examination topics

Contents covered throughout the semester. This is an interactive course (“prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung”): in addition to completing a portfolio of written tasks as well as handing in assignments on time, participants are expected to read all set texts and actively participate in class throughout the semester. There will be no written exam.

Reading list

Primary texts:
1) William Shakespeare, Macbeth (1606)
2) Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
3) Harold Pinter, One for the Road (1984, one-act play)
4) Selected poems (Shakespearian sonnet, Romantic poetry, Victorian poetry and Modernist poetry) will be provided on Moodle in due time
5) Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)
6) Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone (1868)
7) Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886)

The primary texts will be studied in the order provided here. No precise edition is required, but you will need to be able to navigate easily from chapter to chapter or scene to scene in class.

Secondary literature: excerpts will be provided in digital form on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612; BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: BA08.3; BEd Modul 10
Lehrinhalt: 12-3000

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:16