AJ3DC_SBAL Contemporary British and American Literature

Faculty of Education
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
0/0/12. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
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
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ3DC_SBAL/OS01: Fri 17. 2. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 2. 3. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 23. 3. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 13. 4. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 27. 4. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 11. 5. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, H. Waisserová
AJ3DC_SBAL/OS02: Fri 24. 2. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 16. 3. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 30. 3. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 20. 4. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 4. 5. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, Fri 18. 5. 13:00–14:20 učebna 6, H. Waisserová
Prerequisites
Reading proficiency adequate to university level.
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
The main objectives of the course are the following: The seminar is based on reading and analysis of selected extracts, and activities and discussions related to them. The goal of the course is that the students are acquainted with chief works, authors and topics of the relevant periods, will achieve an in-depth understanding of the British life and culture and will exercise their reading and other competences.
Syllabus
  • This is an advanced literary/cultural course exploring and examining selected topics of Contemporary British and American Literature. Literature and other cultural production tends to foretell and reflect on entanglements with globalization, emerging markets, peoples, and cultures from the heart of Anglophone cultural hegemony. The course attempts to rethink literature in a global and a national or regional setting to evaluate the growing claims on inevitable internationalization of Anglophone Canon. Topics, shapes, subjects and sites of so called transnational cultural production is to be in focus. This course is designed to explore the role of internationalization of Western Canon much reflected by the American and British literary and cultural imagination. We will also consider how transnational approaches to American and British literature contribute to reception, translation and institutalization (literary prizes, commercialization). The role and popularity of ethnic cultural production is to be examined as well in order to understand literary terrain in changing globalized world. Transnational and comparative approach allows for learning social, political, and cultural networks that enable students to attain complex understanding of role of literature and empowerment by literature. Last but not least, the course contributes and complements to an emerging field in international literary studies conventionally known as Transnationalism. It is assumed the students are advanced learners, who have gained previous basic knowledge of current most visible literary trends, and shall actively evaluate and form their critical stances on selected texts and cultural phenomena, while exploring narrative fiction, non-fiction, or other contemporary cultural production. Cultural, historical, and theoretical context will be examined and discussed, while primary or secondary readings are to be utilized and scrutinized. Method of close reading would allow us to observe relevant themes and form critical judgments. The seminar is based on active reading and analysis of selected extracts; other activities and discussions are required and encouraged. The goal of the course is that students become confident in working with literature, and able to form judgments on current shape of the transforming international English Canon. Upon finishing the course students are capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
Literature
  • Literature is provided on moodlinka.
Teaching methods
It is assumed the students are advanced learners, who have gained previous basic knowledge of current most visible literary trends, and shall actively evaluate and form their critical stances on selected texts and cultural phenomena, while exploring narrative fiction, non-fiction, or other contemporary cultural production. Cultural, historical, and theoretical context will be examined and discussed, while primary or secondary readings are to be utilized and scrutinized. Method of close reading would allow us to observe relevant themes and form critical judgments. The seminar is based on active reading and analysis of selected extracts; other activities and discussions are required and encouraged. The goal of the course is that students become confident in working with literature, and able to form judgments on current shape of the transforming international English Canon. Upon finishing the course students are capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
Assessment methods
Course Requirements Students are expected to read and reflect on assigned readings, and will be assigned with a series of short informal assignments that develop ideas, reflect on and critique the selected texts. Effective reading and writing skills would be treated as well (as such those involve drafting, rethinking, reshaping, reflecting, and rewriting). Students will sign up for 5 min. oral presentation to introduce either context, character, text's feature or author. Students are required to read the compulsory readings, and/or additional readings and to participate in class discussions. Discussion will encourage us to explore the connections between the secondary readings, and the novel. Students will submit paper copies of writing assignments Response Papers, as required. All major assignments and supporting assignments are due on dates specified by your lecturer, and noted in moodlinka. Reading. You are required to keep up with class reading. In-class debates require you to come to class prepared. You will also need to read the works with a critical eye. Homework. As specified during the semester, homework may include exercises, short writing assignments, and other work that develops reading and writing skills. Many of these assignments require downloading and printing online materials. While these assignments are minor to your grade, nevertheless those are to be completed in a timely manner (following the schedule provided in the moodlinka outline), and those should illustrate your best efforts and serious consideration of the assignment. In-Class Work. You will be expected to participate in collaborative activities and class discussions. Grades and Evaluation In-class debates participation, set reading, Response Papers 40% Credit Test 40% Oral Presentation 20% PLEASE NOTE: Attendance (80%) is assumed. Satisfactory result on assignments plus regular attendance will determine the grade. The course is hands-on, based on activities rather than lecturing. You are expected to work both for and in the sessions. Unexcused excessive abscense affects your grade as well. Each student will have to give 5 min. oral presentation. (More details will be provided in class).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2012/AJ3DC_SBAL