AJ04001 Introduction to Literary Studies I

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2009
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Prajznerová, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martina Horáková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Pavel Drábek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jana Heczková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Matouš Hořínek (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Kačer, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marcela Sekanina Vavřinová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ04001/A: Mon 8:20–9:55 G31, P. Drábek, M. Sekanina Vavřinová
AJ04001/B: Mon 10:00–11:35 G31, M. Horáková, M. Hořínek
AJ04001/C: Mon 13:20–14:55 G31, J. Heczková, K. Prajznerová
AJ04001/D: Mon 15:00–16:35 G22, M. Horáková, M. Hořínek
AJ04001/E: Wed 15:00–16:35 G32, P. Drábek
AJ04001/F: Wed 18:20–19:55 G32, T. Kačer
AJ04001/G: Mon 15:00–16:35 G31, J. Heczková, K. Prajznerová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Course objectives: 1. To learn the methods of conducting library research and working with primary and secondary sources.
2. To acquire the techniques needed for literary analysis and writing academic essays.
3. To refine critical thinking about literature and achieve a deeper understanding of how literature affects us and how it enriches our perception of the world.
Syllabus
  • Syllabus: Week 1: Orientation
  • Week 2: State Holiday, no class
  • Week 3: Introduction, course policies and assignments
  • Week 4: Reading and discussion: Case study I In-class response paper 1 Portfolio: Unit 1: Literatures in English: Gateways to Research (a 1-page report on Brno libraries and a list of 12 electronic and print sources, including databases, websites, open-source journals, and reference works)
  • Week 5: Reading and discussion: Case study I In-class response paper 2 Barnet et al., Chapter 1: “The Writer as Reader: Reading and Responding” (pages 1-11) Chapter 2: “The Reader as Writer: Drafting and Writing” (pages 12-30)
  • Week 6: Reading and discussion: Case study II In-class response paper 3 Portfolio: Unit 2: Case studies: Secondary Sources (a list of 3 books, 3 book chapters, 3 journal articles, and 3 websites)
  • Week 7: Reading and discussion: Case study II In-class response paper 4 Barnet et al., Chapter 8: “Writing About Literature: An Overview” (pages 104-25)
  • Week 8: Reading and discussion: review Portfolio: Unit 3: Paper Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (five key secondary sources)
  • Week 9: Reading week: no class, work on your first draft of the research paper
  • Week 10: Reading and discussion: Selected drama In-class response paper 5 Barnet et al., Chapter 11: “Writing About Drama” (pages 177-204)
  • Week 11: Reading and discussion: selected fiction Barnet et al., Chapter 10: “Writing About Fiction: The World of the Story” (pages 139-76) Portfolio: Unit 4: First Draft of the Research Paper (1700-2000 words)
  • Week 12: Reading and discussion: selected poetry Barnet et al., Chapter 12: “Writing About Poetry” (pages 205-41)
  • Week 13: Conclusion and course evaluation Portfolio: Unit 5: Final Draft of the Research Paper (1700-2000 words) Complete research project portfolio due in class
Literature
  • Case Study 1 (a book-length literary text)
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, ýth Edition
  • Case Study 2 (a book-length literary text)
  • Barnet, Sylvan, et al. A short Guide to Writing About Literature
Teaching methods
This course consists of seminars that encourage students to engage in literary research and analysis. We will focus on two major literary works that will serve as the core case studies for a semester-long research project. These readings will be supplemented by selections from A Short Guide to Writing about Literature that will provide further material for in-class discussions. Seminars last 90 minutes a week, emphasis is on student activites such as small group discussions, peer-review excercises, and in-class writing.
Assessment methods
Assessment: I. Research project portfolio: 4 unit drafts per 5 points (20) plus the final draft of the research paper (50) 70% II. Participation: 5 in-class response papers per 5 points (25) plus class discussion (5) 30% Note: In order to pass the course, you must complete all the assignments.
Attendance policy: This class is a seminar workshop and you are required to attend all class sessions. Unavoidable absences (in case of serious illness or family emergency) must be excused and documented. Research project portfolio: All units in the research project portfolio must follow the MLA style for documenting sources. The portfolio assignments will be due in hard copy at the beginning of class on the set dates. No late assignments will be accepted. You will receive feedback on each unit and will have the option to revise it for the complete portfolio folder due on Dec. 14 in class. You must earn at least 60 percent on each of the portfolio units. If you cannot come to class on a particular day, you will not get any feedback, but you must submit all units in the complete portfolio folder. Unit 1: Literatures in English: Gateways to Research (a 1-page report on Brno libraries and a list of 12 electronic and print sources, including databases, websites, open-source journals, and reference works) Unit 2: Hogan and Gaines: Secondary Sources (a list of 3 books, 3 book chapters, 3 journal articles, and 3 websites) Unit 3: Paper Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (five key secondary sources) Unit 4: First Draft (1700-2000 words) Unit 5: Final Draft (1700-2000 words) In-class response papers: No make-ups are possible, if you must miss a class, the next paper counts double. Content and form: a critical analysis of the primary readings; open book; about 20 minutes at the end of the class; a choice from 3 questions (first two will be given, the third one can be on a topic of your own)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://www.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/category.php?id=4
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 1999, Autumn 2000, Autumn 2001, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2009, recent)
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