Literature in English: Text Analysis

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1023803ANR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Elisabeth Bekers (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

6 contact hours Lecture
20 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
32 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course offers an in-depth engagement with the development and diversity of literature in English through the interactive close reading of a selection of longer works that are representative of different periods, movements and genres.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : VUB Writing Guide for Students of English Linguistics and Literary Studies, Bekers Elisabeth et al., updated annually, CANVAS
Handbook (Recommended) : Trees, Maps, and Theorems, Effective Communication for Rational Minds, Doumont, Jean-Luc., Principiæ, 9789081367707, 2021
Handbook (Recommended) : Tre MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Gibaldi, Joseph, 9th ed., Modern Language Association, 9781603293518, 2021
Handbook (Recommended) : The Arden Introduction to Reading Shakespeare, Close Reading and Analysis., Lopez, Jeremy, The Arden Shakespeare, 9781472581020, 2019
Digital course material (Required) : Course slides, Bekers Elisabeth, updated annually, CANVAS
Handbook (Required) : The Norton Anthology of English Literature, The Major Authors, Greenblatt, Stephen, et al., editors., Norton, 978-0393603118, 2018
Handbook (Required) : The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Levine, Robert S., et al., editors, Shorter 10th edition, Norton, 978-0-393-8844, 2022
Handbook (Recommended) : The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, Baldick, Chris, Oxford UP, 9780198715443, 2015
Handbook (Recommended) : Literary Terms and Criticism, Peck, John & Martin Coyle, 3rd ed., Palgrave, 9780333962589, 2002
Handbook (Recommended) : A History of English Literature, Alexander, Michael, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan, 9780230368316, 2016
Handbook (Recommended) : A Brief History of English Literature, Peck, John & Martin Coyle, 2nd ed., Palgrave, 9781137352651, 2013
Handbook (Recommended) : English Literature in Context, Poplawski, Paul, editor., 2nd ed., Cambridge UP, 9781316506639, 2017

Additional info

This course consists of introductory lectures and discussion seminars aimed at a detailed analysis (close reading) of selected texts. Active participation in the lectures and discussion seminars is essential. Students prepare for each discussion seminar by means of a list of discussion topics and/or additional reading assignments and may be invited to lead the seminar discussion of one of the assigned topics. They are encouraged to confer with their instructor when preparing for their presentations.

Learning Outcomes

General Competences

The students gain more profound insight into the (geographic, cultural-historical, formal,…) diversity of literature in English. In the interactive discussions they apply the most significant literary concepts and terms and practise their analytical, interpreting and reporting skills.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
LEC Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral exam with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Discussion,presentation,tests with a relative weight of 30 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context