A2BP_UVOD Introduction to Literature

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2010
Extent and Intensity
1/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Hana Waisserová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Irena Přibylová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Prerequisites
It is expected the students are acquainted with basic literary theory and practice, and basic academic reading and writing skills.
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
Course objectives
This course is an introduction to thinking and writing about literature. Foremost, we will read and discuss a wide variety of texts. In our discussions, we will focus on how we, as readers, can approach these texts creatively and independently so that we become empowered by literature - for example, by becoming the co-creators of meaning. In order to reach that goal, we will start assembling the basic toolbox of an empowered reader: we will learn how to pose effective questions and lead a discussion about literature, how to employ the tools of critical analysis, use the basic terms of literary theory and criticism, and be comfortable with the conventions of academic discourse. We will also practice essential writing skills, such as explication or comparison and contrast.
Syllabus
  • SESSION 1: Paying Attention to Text Reading: Kate Chopin: “The Story of an Hour” “A Sample Close Reading” William Faulkner: “A Rose for Emily” SESSION 2: Asking Questions Reading: Jonathan Culler: “What is Literature? ” Martin Montgomery: “Asking Questions” Glossary of Literary Terms Paper I for this class on close reading SESSION 3: Critical Thinking I Reading: Nathaniel Hawthorne: “The Birthmark” Judith Fetterley: “A Feminist Reading of ‘The Birthmark‘” James Quinn and Ross Baldessarini: ‘A Psychological Reading of ‘The Birthmark‘” Sigmund Freud: “On the Oidipus Complex” Sigmund Freud: “On Repression in Hamlet” SESSION 4: Critical Thinking II Reading: Toni Cade Bambara: “The Lesson” “Critical Strategies for Reading” “Arguing About Literature” Paper II for this class on applying the critical reading strategies   SESSION  5: The Writing Process I Reading:| James Joyce: “Eveline” John Updike: “A&P” “Reading and Writing” SESSION  6: The Writing Process II Reading: “The Literary Research Paper” Paper III for this class on comparison and contrast
Literature
  • Exploring literature through language. : The Web of Words. info
  • BENNETT, Andrew and Nicholas ROYLE. An introduction to literature, criticism and theory. 3rd ed. Harlow: Pearson, 2004, viii, 344. ISBN 0582822955. info
  • MEYER, Michael. The compact Bedford introduction to literature :reading, thinking, and writing. 4rh ed. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin's press, 1997, xxxiv, 154. ISBN 0-312-13263-8. info
Teaching methods
Reading. You are required to keep up with the reading for every class. You need to download and print out the readings from moodlinka as well as bring them to class. The knowledge of the reading material may be tested by quizzes and on the final exam. Writing. There will be 3 major writing assignments (typed, 1-page double-spaced, font 12) announced in class and posted on moodlinka. You are required to submit a hard copy (not just email) on time and be able to discuss your writing in class. Papers will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Late papers may result in a lower final grade.
Assessment methods
The course is hands-on, based on activities rather than lecturing. You are expected to work both for and in the sessions. Evaluation: workbook activities, mood-link-a, written test The test will be based on the range of topics discussed in the lectures.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Teacher's information
http://moodlinka.ped.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=536
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2010, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2010/A2BP_UVOD