Course: Literature of the Fantastic

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Course title Literature of the Fantastic
Course code KAA/FAN1
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Peprník Michal, prof. PhDr. Dr.
  • Jelínková Ema, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Literary Terms: Fantasy and Imagination, fantastic, animism, the Uncanny, the Marvellous, the sublime, horror, terror, paranormal mode, The Old and New Weird Genres: myth, fairy tale, legend, Gothic novel, ghost story, horror, fantastic literature, fantasy Theoretical approaches: psychological (Freud, Jung), structuralist (Propp, Todorov, Jackson, Attebery, Wolf) The reading program includes samples from the work of authors such as Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, J.R.R. Tolkien, Frank Herbert, Ursula Le Guin, J. K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, China Miéville.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Homework for Teaching - 25 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 24 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 25 hours per semester
Learning outcomes

Understanding of the development of Anglo-American fantastic literature as a specific genre of literature as well a response to social and cultural transformations. Developing contemporary literary terminology in the area of theories of the fantastic. Developing various theoretical approaches to fantastic literature.
Prerequisites
The prerequisite is a knowledge of English and an interest in fantasy literature.

Assessment methods and criteria
Essay, Student performance

- 5 brief assignments (min. half a page, max. 1 page, 400-700 words) - to be posted through Moodle 24 hours before the respective class. The topics are available on Moodle. - comparative essay (3-4 pg.) or a presentation on a given topic. The essay should compare two texts from the course program (similarities and differences in the conception of plot, characters, setting, motifs (the texts must reveal striking similarities), use at least two sources of academic criticism. Quotes from texts and criticism are expected and properly referenced (Chicago Manual of Style). - knowledge of reading - max. 2 absences
Recommended literature
  • Botting, Fred. (2014). Gothic. Abingdon.
  • Hogle, Jerrold E. (2010). Cambridge Companion to Gothic Fiction.
  • James, Edward. (2012). The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature. Cambridge UP.
  • Peprník, Michal. (2003). Metamorfóza jako kulturní metafora. Olomouc.
  • Sandner, David M., ed. (2004). Fantastic Literature: A Critical Reader. Praeger.
  • Todorov, Tzvetan. (2010). Úvod do fantastické literatury. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2025) Category: Philological sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2025) Category: Philological sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2025) Category: Philological sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -