Introduction to Literature (lectures and seminars), Autumn semester 2019 Course coordinator: Dr Filip Krajník, filip.krajnik@phil.muni.cz, office G309 Seminar instructors: Mgr. Anna Mikyšková, Mgr. Daniela Šmardová, Mgr. Tereza Šmilauerová/Dr Filip Krajník, Mgr. Tereza Walsbergerová, Mgr. Lenka Žárská Course description: This course consists of alternating lectures and seminars that encourage students to engage in literary research and analysis. The lectures provide students with an introduction to literary histories, movements, contexts and approaches to literary texts. The seminars function as more practical insights into analyzing literary texts and writing critical research papers about them. They are based on discussions and group work. Course objectives: 1. To learn the methods of conducting library research and working with primary and secondary sources. 2. To acquire the techniques needed for literary analysis and writing academic essays. 3. To refine critical thinking about literature and achieve a deeper understanding of how literature affects us and how it enriches our perception of the world. Assessment: Students must prepare for all classes, especially for the seminars. The assigned texts must be read before the class so that students can engage actively in discussions and other continuous assessment. Written assignments must be submitted in the correct format and on time. Please submit all written work in .doc or .docx format. 1 credit (zápočet) is given at the end of the lecture series after taking an on-line test (students have to score at least 60 %); 5 credits (zkouška) for passing all seminar assignments. Final mark: class performance 20 %; Assignment 1 30 %; Assignment 2 50 %. The pass/fail line is 60 %. Note: students MUST pass all individual assignments; if they fail one or more of them, they have to rewrite and resubmit them until they get more than 60 %. Failing to submit assignments during the semester results in not being able to sit the exam (i.e., submit the final paper). Penalty for late submission will be 10 % per each calendar day. Evaluation scale: A 100-85 %; B 84-80 %; C 79-75 %; D 74-70 %; E 69-60 %; F (fail) 59-0 %. Readings: Primary: please see the syllabus—texts will be available in the ELF (poetry, short extracts), otherwise you have to get a copy from the library or a bookshop (novels). Secondary: Barnet, Sylvan, et al. A Short Guide to Writing About Literature. 2^nd ed. Toronto: Pearson Education, 2004 (ELF) and MLA Handbook, 8^th edition (ELF). Attendance: It is crucial that students attend both lectures and seminars. Attendance in ALL seminars is compulsory. In cases of illness, please present a doctor’s certificate at the study department. Failing to attend the seminars may result in failing the course. Lectures Mondays, 10-11.40am, room B2.13 Lecturer text(s) to be analyzed in the seminars Seminars Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/ Thursdays Assignments and readings 1. Introduction to the Study of Literature Sept 23 Doc. Michael M. Kaylor Introduction to the study of literature Sep 30, Oct 2 reading literature and writing about literature; primary X secondary sources; working with library sources (catalogue, databases); evaluating sources Barnet: Chapters 1 (“The Writer as Reader”) and 2 (“The Reader as Writer”); getting to know MLA (MLA Handbook, pp. 5-13) 2. Elizabethan Drama Oct 7 Dr Filip Krajník William Shakespeare, Hamlet Oct 14, 16 text analysis; critical vocabulary (character(s), plot); using the literary present Barnet: Chapter 11 (“Writing about Drama”); MLA (section Titles of Sources 1.2.1.-1.2.4.); basic format of a paper (header, title, layout…) 3. Romantic Poetry Oct 21 Doc. Michael M. Kaylor John Keats, “On First Looking into Chapman's Homer”, “On Seeing the Elgin Marbles for the First Time”, “Ode to Psyche”, “To Autumn” Oct 30 text analysis; critical vocabulary (figures of speech, rhythm and rhyme) Barnet: Chapter 12 (“Writing about Poetry”); MLA (section 1.3. Quotations); Assignment 1: a two page (double-spaced) analysis of one of Keats’ poems, submit in ELF, deadline Nov 8, 2019; resubmission deadline Nov 29, 2019; second resit Dec 13, 2019 4. Gothic Novel Nov 4 Doc. Michael M. Kaylor Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Nov 11, 13 text analysis; critical vocabulary (points of view); quoting X paraphrasing, avoiding plagiarism; feedback to Assignment 1 Barnet: Chapter 10 (“Writing about Fiction”); MLA (section 2, Works Cited) 5. Victorian Novel Nov 18 Dr Stephen Hardy Charles Dickens, Hard Times Nov 25, 27 text analysis; critical vocabulary (setting); developing an argument Barnet: Chapter 8 (“Writing about Literature”); MLA (section 3, In-text Citations) 6. American Renaissance Dec 2 Dr Jeffrey A. Smith Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature (selections); Henry David Thoreau, Walden (selections) Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Young Goodman Brown”; Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass (selections); Emily Dickinson, poems #315, 328/359, 340, 620, 1545 Dec 9, 11 text analysis; critical vocabulary (overview of narrative categories, historical context); close reading; why and how integrate secondary sources in research papers MLA (practice before submitting the final papers) Assignment 2: a five-page argumentative analysis of a literary text studied in the course; integrate quotation(s) from at least two secondary sources as well as their bibliographical details; MLA format compulsory; submit in ELF, deadline Jan 5, 2020 (regular term); first resit Jan 26, 2020; second resit Feb 11, 2020