552.261 (16S) Introduction to Literary Studies II b
Overview
- Lecturer
- LV Nummer Südostverbund ENK02002UL
- Course title german Introduction to Literary Studies II b
- Type Proseminar (continuous assessment course )
- Hours per Week 2.0
- ECTS credits 3.0
- Registrations 22 (23 max.)
- Organisational unit
- Language of instruction Englisch
- Course begins on 01.03.2016
Time and place
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Course Information
Intended learning outcomes
By way of hands-on lecture input, peer-organized readings/discussion facilitations and self-directed research, students will acquire the necessary research skills that will allow them to participate in and contribute to the transfer and transformation of literary knowledge and literary competences. Students will also be asked to tackle literary criticism in order to familiarize themselves with the process of self-directed research in preparation for what will be asked of them in more advanced seminars. They will also acquire the 'reading protocols' that allow them to effectively read SF so that they can harness the genre's democratizing and intellectually empowering spirit. In doing so, students will transcend the narrowly prescribed boundaries of 'the literary canon'.Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools
Literary PS mode: dynamic lecture input, self-directed library research, group discussions, interpretative activities, impulse talks, peer-hosted reading circles, peer-feedback, work on Moodle, extracurricular tie-in events, etc.Conditions of admission
Technically, there are no requirements except Introduction to Literary Studies I. However, since we are in the process of changing to the new BA/Lehramt Curriculum (2015) be advised to double-check the list of class equivalences. If enrollment numbers exceed the class limit, there will be a pre-selection process. !!! INTRODUCTORY MEETING will most likely NOT TAKE PLACE on March 7 due to a visit by the US-American ambassador to AAU — ALTERNATIVE DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 6-8 pm (room: i.0.44) !!! (content: discussion of pragmatics, first contact with science fiction, finding common ground) !!! DROP DATE April 4 !!!Course content
What can literature studies do for you, and what can you do with literature studies? These are the central questions that will guide us through the semester as we will move beyond the formal basics of literature studies and towards a culturally contextualized understanding, appreciation and analyses of primary literary texts vis-à-vis scholarly criticism, secondary sources, etc. 'Critical thinking', the 'conditio humana' and 'change' are the three leitmotifs that we will follow on our journey into the fantastic worlds of literary mind(s), and the fantastic mind(s) of literary worlds. There is one literary genre in particular that has the basic tenets of what we as students of culture and literature should be doing already built-in: SCIENCE FICTION (SF). As we will see, SF stories are not mere escapist fantasies. They are infused with the moral imperative to critically question and re-question the very world, both natural and cultural, that we live in. Andy Sawyer puts forth that the "speculative nature" of SF "invites a speculative response; it requires engagement with thought-experiments that confront and often overturn passive acceptance of contemporary conditions" (2011: 1). As such, SF has the capacity to provide us with educative spaces for reflecting on a broad range of cultural issues (race, gender, colonialism, discrimination, ethics, human hubris, historiography, etc.) in literary form. As a group, we will find and harness the democratizing spirit that lies at the heart of SF's wide range of allegorical intentions. A diverse range of SF short stories, covering a number of thought-provoking topics, will form the main textual corpus for this class.Topics
- Finding common ground: first contact with SF
- Assessing the academic value of SF as 'proper literature'
- How does SF work? (theorizing SF, critical theory, terminology, definitions, etc.)
- Cognitive estrangement, extrapolation, neologisms, literalization of metaphor
- The many histories of SF
- Tie-in movie screening: The Man From Earth (2007)
- How to read SF (reading protocols: absent paradigm/subjunctivity)
- Critical angles: Marxism & SF, Feminism & SF, Postmodernism & SF, Posthumanism and cyborg theory
- A sense of wonder: utopia/dystopia / space, time, and stuff / race & gender in SF / politics in SF
- Alien encounters
- Going beyond the apocalypse
- Cyberpunk
Keywords
literature studies, literary criticism, science fiction, popular culture, self-directed learning, allegoryTeaching objective
This class is designed to be part-genre criticism, explaining how SF works, and part-how-to/hands-on-manual for how to make SF short stories a meaningful tool for an entry level course that focuses on expanding on the basics of literature studies. As a group, we will transition from the mere explication of literary form(s) and function(s) to contextualized analyses of texts that take place at the intellectually empowering intersections of culture, history, and literary criticism. Ultimately, this class serves as both an intermediate entry level course to literary studies, and as an introduction to SF literature.Prior knowledge expected
* Since this class is a pro-seminar in literature studies, you have to be prepared to READ, ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT and DISCUSS texts on a weekly basis. * You DO NOT (!) have to have any previous knowledge of and/or affinity for science fiction. Yet, be prepared to critically formulate, present & discuss your own (!) thoughts on the topics/texts covered in class since a large part of this class will depend on your concerted input. * As participants in an intermediate introductory PS seminar, students will be expected to engage in self-directed research.Other materials
All relevant reading material will be available for you to copy at the Self Access Center (SAC). EVERY student is directed & required to obtain and use these resources in order to successfully participate in class. The course material (slideshows, other relevant material etc.) will be made available in digital form on Moodle. Sign up for assignments will be conducted via Doodle surveys.Literature
Excerpts of primary and secondary reading material, which are tied to graded assignments/tasks, will be provided in digital form. There is no need to buy any books. Main primary source: Evans, Arthur B. et al. eds. 2010. The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction. Wesleyan Univ. Press. Main secondary sources: Bould, Mark. et al. eds. 2009. The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction. Routledge. James, Edward and Farah Mendlesohn. eds. 2003. The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction. CUP. Seed, David. ed. 2005. A Companion to Science Fiction. Blackwell Publishing. Vint, Sherryl. 2014. Science Fiction: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury. A comprehensive transmedial bibliography, which includes titles that are all available either in our library, via the class lecturer or on the internet, will be provided on Moodle. Making use of these resources will be part of the graded performance (e.g. explication talks, one-sheets, peer-hosted reading circles).Intended learning outcomes
By way of hands-on lecture input, peer-organized readings/discussion facilitations and self-directed research, students will acquire the necessary research skills that will allow them to participate in and contribute to the transfer and transformation of literary knowledge and literary competences. Students will also be asked to tackle literary criticism in order to familiarize themselves with the process of self-directed research in preparation for what will be asked of them in more advanced seminars. They will also acquire the 'reading protocols' that allow them to effectively read SF so that they can harness the genre's democratizing and intellectually empowering spirit. In doing so, students will transcend the narrowly prescribed boundaries of 'the literary canon'.Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools
Literary PS mode: dynamic lecture input, self-directed library research, group discussions, interpretative activities, impulse talks, peer-hosted reading circles, peer-feedback, work on Moodle, extracurricular tie-in events, etc.Conditions of admission
Technically, there are no requirements except Introduction to Literary Studies I. However, since we are in the process of changing to the new BA/Lehramt Curriculum (2015) be advised to double-check the list of class equivalences. If enrollment numbers exceed the class limit, there will be a pre-selection process. !!! INTRODUCTORY MEETING will most likely NOT TAKE PLACE on March 7 due to a visit by the US-American ambassador to AAU — ALTERNATIVE DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 6-8 pm (room: i.0.44) !!! (content: discussion of pragmatics, first contact with science fiction, finding common ground) !!! DROP DATE April 4 !!!Course content
What can literature studies do for you, and what can you do with literature studies? These are the central questions that will guide us through the semester as we will move beyond the formal basics of literature studies and towards a culturally contextualized understanding, appreciation and analyses of primary literary texts vis-à-vis scholarly criticism, secondary sources, etc. 'Critical thinking', the 'conditio humana' and 'change' are the three leitmotifs that we will follow on our journey into the fantastic worlds of literary mind(s), and the fantastic mind(s) of literary worlds. There is one literary genre in particular that has the basic tenets of what we as students of culture and literature should be doing already built-in: SCIENCE FICTION (SF). As we will see, SF stories are not mere escapist fantasies. They are infused with the moral imperative to critically question and re-question the very world, both natural and cultural, that we live in. Andy Sawyer puts forth that the "speculative nature" of SF "invites a speculative response; it requires engagement with thought-experiments that confront and often overturn passive acceptance of contemporary conditions" (2011: 1). As such, SF has the capacity to provide us with educative spaces for reflecting on a broad range of cultural issues (race, gender, colonialism, discrimination, ethics, human hubris, historiography, etc.) in literary form. As a group, we will find and harness the democratizing spirit that lies at the heart of SF's wide range of allegorical intentions. A diverse range of SF short stories, covering a number of thought-provoking topics, will form the main textual corpus for this class.Topics
- Finding common ground: first contact with SF
- Assessing the academic value of SF as 'proper literature'
- How does SF work? (theorizing SF, critical theory, terminology, definitions, etc.)
- Cognitive estrangement, extrapolation, neologisms, literalization of metaphor
- The many histories of SF
- Tie-in movie screening: The Man From Earth (2007)
- How to read SF (reading protocols: absent paradigm/subjunctivity)
- Critical angles: Marxism & SF, Feminism & SF, Postmodernism & SF, Posthumanism and cyborg theory
- A sense of wonder: utopia/dystopia / space, time, and stuff / race & gender in SF / politics in SF
- Alien encounters
- Going beyond the apocalypse
- Cyberpunk
Keywords
literature studies, literary criticism, science fiction, popular culture, self-directed learning, allegoryTeaching objective
This class is designed to be part-genre criticism, explaining how SF works, and part-how-to/hands-on-manual for how to make SF short stories a meaningful tool for an entry level course that focuses on expanding on the basics of literature studies. As a group, we will transition from the mere explication of literary form(s) and function(s) to contextualized analyses of texts that take place at the intellectually empowering intersections of culture, history, and literary criticism. Ultimately, this class serves as both an intermediate entry level course to literary studies, and as an introduction to SF literature.Prior knowledge expected
* Since this class is a pro-seminar in literature studies, you have to be prepared to READ, ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT and DISCUSS texts on a weekly basis. * You DO NOT (!) have to have any previous knowledge of and/or affinity for science fiction. Yet, be prepared to critically formulate, present & discuss your own (!) thoughts on the topics/texts covered in class since a large part of this class will depend on your concerted input. * As participants in an intermediate introductory PS seminar, students will be expected to engage in self-directed research.Other materials
All relevant reading material will be available for you to copy at the Self Access Center (SAC). EVERY student is directed & required to obtain and use these resources in order to successfully participate in class. The course material (slideshows, other relevant material etc.) will be made available in digital form on Moodle. Sign up for assignments will be conducted via Doodle surveys.Literature
Excerpts of primary and secondary reading material, which are tied to graded assignments/tasks, will be provided in digital form. There is no need to buy any books. Main primary source: Evans, Arthur B. et al. eds. 2010. The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction. Wesleyan Univ. Press. Main secondary sources: Bould, Mark. et al. eds. 2009. The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction. Routledge. James, Edward and Farah Mendlesohn. eds. 2003. The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction. CUP. Seed, David. ed. 2005. A Companion to Science Fiction. Blackwell Publishing. Vint, Sherryl. 2014. Science Fiction: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury. A comprehensive transmedial bibliography, which includes titles that are all available either in our library, via the class lecturer or on the internet, will be provided on Moodle. Making use of these resources will be part of the graded performance (e.g. explication talks, one-sheets, peer-hosted reading circles).Examination information
Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.
Examination topic(s)
You will need to achieve a positive grade in ALL pillars of assessment (parts 1-5) in order to receive a passing grade for the class. Any case of plagiarism will inevitably lead to immediate expulsioAssessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations
IN-CLASS: 1) Attendance/participation/Moodle, 2) Explication talks, 3) Peer-hosted reading circles—WRITTEN: 4) Explication talk tie-in: a one-sheet (including a mini-bibliography), 5) A final essay
Examination topic(s)
You will need to achieve a positive grade in ALL pillars of assessment (parts 1-5) in order to receive a passing grade for the class. Any case of plagiarism will inevitably lead to immediate expulsioAssessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations
IN-CLASS: 1) Attendance/participation/Moodle, 2) Explication talks, 3) Peer-hosted reading circles—WRITTEN: 4) Explication talk tie-in: a one-sheet (including a mini-bibliography), 5) A final essayGrading scheme
Grade / Grade grading schemePosition in the curriculum
- Bachelor-Lehramtsstudium Bachelor Unterrichtsfach Englisch
(SKZ: 407, Version: 15W.2)
-
Subject: Anglophone Literary Studies I: Introduction
(Compulsory subject)
-
ENK.002 Introduction to Literary Studies II (
2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
- 552.261 Introduction to Literary Studies II b (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 2. Semester empfohlen
-
ENK.002 Introduction to Literary Studies II (
2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Anglophone Literary Studies I: Introduction
(Compulsory subject)
- Bachelor's degree programme English and American Studies
(SKZ: 612, Version: 15W.3)
-
Subject: Fachliches Grund- und Aufbaustudium Literature
(Compulsory subject)
-
Module: Grundstudium Literature
-
5.1 Introduction to Literary Studies II (
0.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
- 552.261 Introduction to Literary Studies II b (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 2. Semester empfohlen
-
5.1 Introduction to Literary Studies II (
0.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
-
Module: Grundstudium Literature
-
Subject: Fachliches Grund- und Aufbaustudium Literature
(Compulsory subject)
- Bachelor's degree programme English and American Studies
(SKZ: 612, Version: 10W.3)
-
Subject: Literature
(Compulsory elective)
-
Issues in Literature (
2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
- 552.261 Introduction to Literary Studies II b (2.0h PS / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Issues in Literature (
2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Literature
(Compulsory elective)
- Bachelor's degree programme English and American Studies
(SKZ: 612, Version: 10W.3)
-
Subject: Culture
(Compulsory elective)
-
Issues in Culture (
2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
- 552.261 Introduction to Literary Studies II b (2.0h PS / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Issues in Culture (
2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Culture
(Compulsory elective)
Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts
- Wintersemester 2024/25
- Sommersemester 2024
- Wintersemester 2023/24
- Sommersemester 2023
- Wintersemester 2022/23
- Sommersemester 2022
- Wintersemester 2021/22
- Sommersemester 2021
- Wintersemester 2020/21
- Sommersemester 2020
- Wintersemester 2019/20
- Sommersemester 2019
- Wintersemester 2018/19
- Sommersemester 2018
- Wintersemester 2017/18
- Sommersemester 2017
- Wintersemester 2016/17
-
Sommersemester 2016
- 552.260 PS Introduction to Literary Studies II a (2.0h / 3.0ECTS)
-
Wintersemester 2015/16
- 552.260 PS Introduction to Literary Studies II a (2.0h / 3.0ECTS)