CJBC585 Literature and psychology

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jitka Bednářová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Michaela Soleiman pour Hashemi, CSc.
Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Veronika Bromová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 12:00–13:40 B2.22, except Mon 20. 4. to Fri 24. 4.
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 19 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/19, only registered: 18/19, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 3/19
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The seminar will focus on close reading and interpretation of classic works of world literature. We will focus on characterization of characters, their self-concept and the emotional dynamics that play out between them. We will first approach the topic using classical methods of literary interpretation. Then, for each theme, we will be introduced to certain psychological concepts (types of personalities and subpersonalities, fears and anxieties, transference, etc.) and trace their resonance in literary works. The seminar is partly designed as experiential, so that students will be able to touch their own experience and expand and enrich it.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to analyze characters in literary works and their emotional dynamics from the perspective of literary interpretation. They will also be able to apply selected psychological theories to characters.
Syllabus
 J. Austenová - G. Flaubert - L. N. Tolstoj - F. M. Dostojevskij - I. Svevo - M. Bulgakov - M. Mitchell - J. Amado ad. Structure of the seminar: - introductory introduction to the seminar, requirements and study texts - 2 reading weeks (preparation for joint work) - 8 hours of interpretation of texts in the context of psychological theories - final summary, discussion of the readings
Literature
    required literature
  • VYBÍRAL, Zbyněk. Literární psychologie (Literature in Psychology). Praha: Nová beseda, 2020, 191 pp. ISBN 978-80-88383-19-2. info
  • JEDLIČKA, Josef. České typy a jiné eseje. 1. vyd. V Praze: Plus, 2009, 143 s. ISBN 9788000023243. info
    recommended literature
  • ŘEHULKA, Evžen. J. Viewegh, Psychologie umělecké literatury (J. Viewegh, Psychology of literatures art.). Československá psychologie. Praha: Academia, 1999, XLIII, No 4, p. 480. ISSN 0009-062X. info
  • JUNG, Carl Gustav. Psychologické typy. Translated by Karel Plocek - Petr Babka. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2020, 557 stran. ISBN 9788026216544. info
  • JUNG, Carl Gustav. Člověk a duše. Edited by Jolande Székács Jacobi, Translated by Karel Plocek. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1995, 277 s. ISBN 8020005439. info
  • Slovník základních pojmů psychologie C. G. Junga. Edited by Daryl Sharp, Translated by Věra Stavová. Vyd. 1. Brno: Nakladatelství Tomáše Janečka, 2005, 173 s. ISBN 8085880393. info
  • JAFFÉ, Aniela. Vzpomínky, sny, myšlenky C. G. Junga. Vyd. 1. Brno: Atlantis, 1998, 395 s. ISBN 8071081787. info
Teaching methods
The student will be able to analyze the characters of a literary work and their emotional dynamics in terms of literary interpretation. The student will also be able to apply selected psychological theories to the characters.
Assessment methods
Credit assumes: - regular attendance at seminars - knowledge of all literary works we will work with - familiarity with psychological theories and concepts - presentations, participation in discussions -final colloquium with evaluation of own reading
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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