FF:AJ44001 Intro. to Literary Studies - Course Information

AJ44001 Introduction to Literary Studies

Extent and Intensity

0/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Martina Horáková, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek

Timetable

Fri 10:50–12:25 G32

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

• English Language and Literature (programme FF, B-FI)

Course objectives

Course description:
This course consists of seminars that encourage students to engage in literary research and analysis. We will focus on two major literary works (F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing) that will serve as the core case studies for a semester-long research project. In addition, we will read and analyze selections of poetry, short fiction and drama in order to demonstrate a variety of genres and literary approaches. These readings will be supplemented by chapters from A Short Guide to Writing about Literature and selections from literary theories that will provide further material for in-class discussions.
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

• Week 1, Feb 26: Reading and discussion: The Great Gatsby Barnet et al.: chapters 1 and 2: “The Writer As Reader: Reading and Responding” and “The Reader as Writer: Drafting and Writing” response paper 1 due (submit in the ELF) Week 2, March 12: Reading and Discussion: Surfacing Barnet et al., chapter 8: “Writing About Literature: An Overview” Portfolio: Unit 1: Secondary Sources: Surfacing and/or Gatsby (a list of 3 books, 3 book chapters, 3 journal articles, and 3 online sources; documentation style conforming to MLA; submit in the ELF) response paper 2 due Week 3, March 26: Reading and discussion: selection of poetry Barnet et al., chapter 12: “Writing About Poetry” Portfolio: Unit 2: Paper Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (of three key secondary sources) response paper 3 due Week 4, April 16 Reading and discussion: selection of short fiction Barnet et al., chapter 10: “Writing About Fiction: The World of the Story” Portfolio: Unit 3: First Draft of the Research Paper (1700-2000 words, double-spaced, 12point font) response paper 4 due Week 5, May 14 Reading and discussion: selection of drama Barnet et al., chapter 11: “Writing About Drama” Portfolio: Unit 4: Final Draft of the Research Paper (deadline May 21) response paper 5 due

Literature

• SPARLING, Don, Stephen Paul HARDY and Iva GILBERTOVÁ. Introduction to literature. Vyd. 2., upr. V Brně: Masarykova univerzita, 1998, viii, 226. ISBN 8021017767. info
• DURANT, Alan, Nigel FABB, Tom FURNISS, Sara MILLS and Martin MONTGOMERY. Ways of reading : advanced reading skills for students of English literature. London: Routledge, 1992, x, 257. ISBN 0415053196. info

Assessment methods

Assessment: I. Research project portfolio: 4 units (3 assignments plus 1 final draft of the research paper) 40% II. Participation: 5 response papers and class participation 30% III. Quiz: literary theory 30% Note: In order to pass the course, you must complete all the assignments. In order to be able to sit the exam (quiz), you have to pass the research project portfolio (at least 60 points out of 100) and submit the response papers in the ELF.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 5x2.

Teacher's information

http://www.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/category.php?id=4

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2010, recent)
  
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