Introduction to the Study of Literature in English

Course Code :	1103FLWTLE
Study domain:	Literature
Academic year:	2019-2020
Semester:	1st/2nd semester
Contact hours:	38
Credits:	6
Study load (hours):	168
Contract restrictions:	Exam contract not possible
Language of instruction:	English
Exam period:	exam in the 2nd semester
Lecturer(s)	Vanessa Joosen Pim Verhulst - NNB Olga Beloborodova

1. Prerequisites *

At the start of this course the student should have acquired the following competences:

competences corresponding the final attainment level of secondary school

an active knowledge of

English

a passive knowledge of

English

2. Learning outcomes *

An understanding of how the canon of literature in English operates
Knowledge of the historical development of literature in English from Beowulf to the present
Close reading skills and ability to apply basic literary terms to a given text

3. Course contents *

This course introduces the concept of the canon, "literature in English" and literary history, and then provides a historical overview of the development of literature in English, from Beowulf to the present day.

In addition, students follow 6 seminars in smaller groups where they discuss recent literary texts in English (4 novels and 1 short story), as well as a critical article. In these seminars, we reflect on contemporary forms of canonisation.

Finally, students complete one writing assigment in which they present a short analysis of a literary text.

4 International dimension*

The course has an international dimension.

The lecturer teaches in a language other than Dutch

The lecturer uses course materials in a foreign language

Students learn to write papers in another language

The lecturer invites international and/or foreign language speaking guest lecturers

The lecturer teaches the subject of the course mainly as an internationally oriented comparison

5. Teaching method and planned learning activities

Class contact teaching

Lectures

Seminars/Tutorials

Personal work

Paper Individually

Directed self-study
5.3 Facilities for working students *
Classroom activities

Seminars/tutorials: alternative assignment possible

6. Assessment method and criteria

Examination

Written examination without oral presentation

Closed book

Multiple-choice

Open-question

Continuous assessment

Participation in classroom activities

Written assignment

Without oral presentation

7. Study material *

7.1 Required reading

The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors. 2 vols. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt et al. New York / London: Norton, 2013.

4 novels (seminars 2018-2019)

Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go

Jacqueline Woodson, Brown Girl Dreaming

Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad

Zadie Smith, On Beauty

Total amount: +/- 120 euro

Please buy all course materials at De Groene Waterman, Wolstraat 10, Antwerpen to make sure you have the right edition. They offer a student discount on these books.

Hand-outs for American literature and a critical article will be available on Blackboard.

7.2 Optional reading

The following study material can be studied voluntarily :

Shakespeare, William. The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. various editions.

Lernout, Geert. Schrijven over literatuur. Leuven: Acco.

8. Contact information *

vanessa.joosen@uantwerpen.be