AJ15081 Introduction to American Paranoid Fiction

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Bc. Tereza Walsbergerová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jana Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 18:00–19:40 C32
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJ01002 Practical English II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course serves as an introduction to paranoia and conspiracy in American fiction covering a variety of authors and all kinds of material from 1950s to 2010s. Its aim is to not only familiarize ourselves with the concept of conspiracy and paranoia and its place within American fiction, but also to understand the significance of this “mode” or “genre” in its particular sociocultural circumstances. In other words, we will survey how and why paranoia has become a recurring mode in American fiction and how it has taken different forms in different periods and sociocultural contexts.
Learning outcomes
• developing a better understanding of paranoid fiction and its place within American history and culture;
• building a vocabulary and theoretical knowledge relevant to and useful for our discussions this semester and for other classes you are taking or might take;
• analyzing and evaluating prose from a diverse selection of American authors;
• sharpening of close reading skills.
Teaching methods
The course will consist of seminar sessions during the course of which we will explore various novels, a number of short stories, movies, podcast episodes, occasional readings of secondary literature, and fruitful discussions of these materials.
Assessment methods
Grades will be based on the following percentages:
• class performance (15%)
• forum posts submitted in Elf (35%)
• final essay (6-8 pages ex. bibliography of 3 items min.) (50%)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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