Course: Introduction to the Study of Literature

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Course title Introduction to the Study of Literature
Course code KAA/ULOO
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 1
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory
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)
  • Livingstone David, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Dvořáková Šárka, Mgr.
Course content
Lecture 1. Introduction: getting to know the syllabus and class requirements 2. Approaching literature: popular and academic perspectives on reading 3. The basics of literary analysis and academic expression 4. Narratology: point of view, narration, and character 5. Basics of thematic analysis: symbol, motif, and theme 6. Poetry I: approach and analysis 7. Poetry II: prosody 8. Literary theory and criticism I: until c. mid-20th century 9. Literary theory and criticism II: after c. mid-20th century 10. Drama: text and performance, a literary historical perspective 11. Revision Seminar 1. Introduction: preconceptions about literature and literary studies 2. Approaching literature: the basics, terminology, the canon 3. Literary analysis: putting thoughts into words 4. Narratology: application of terminology 5. Thematic analysis: application of terminology 6. Poetry I: analysis of figures and tropes 7. Poetry II: practicing scansion 8. Literature about literature: academic publications, credibility, suitability 9. Literary theory and criticism I: application on prose and poetry 10. Drama: application of terminology 11. (Literary theory and criticism II: application on drama, case study analysis) 12. Revision Literature - Basic: Abrams, M. H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 11th ed. Stamford, CT: Cenage, 2015. - Basic: McAuley, James. Versification: A Short Introduction. Michigan: Michigan State University Press, 1966. - Basic: Tennyson, G. B. An Introduction to Drama. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1967. - Basic: Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today, 3rd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2015. - Basic: Peck, John, and Martin Coyle. Literary Terms and Criticism, 2nd ed. Houndmills, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1993. - Further: Eaglestone, Robert. Literature: Why It Matters. Cambridge: Polity, 2019. - Further: Bal, Mieke. Narratology, 4th ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017. - Further: Steele, Timothy. All The Fun's in How You Say a Thing. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 1999. - Further: Jacobus, Lee A. The Bedford Introduction to Drama, 6th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2009. - Recommended: Boulton, Marjorie. The Anatomy of Literary Studies. London: Routledge, 1980.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Preparation for the Exam - 30 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 80 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 40 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The class introduces students to the basics of Anglo-American literary scholarship. It focuses on literary terminology in the area of poetics, narratology, drama, literary theory and criticism. The lectures introduce the topics theoretically and the following seminars serve to deepen the acquired knowledge and practice literary analysis.
The student gains basic knowledge of Anglo-American literary theory and terminology as well as the basic rules of literary analysis.
Prerequisites
Very good knowledge of the English language (readings and instruction are in English). No previous expert knowledge is required.

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Written exam

Lecture: - attendance (recommended) - reading recommended literature Seminar: - attendance (2 permitted absences) - weekly preparation for class (reading assigned literature and other materials, written homework) - active participation in discussions - passing the credit test (during the credit week) and final exam (during the exam period)
Recommended literature
  • Abrams, M.H. The Norton Anthology of English Literature.
  • Carter, Ronald, and John McRae. (2001). The Routledge History of Literature in English: Britain and Ireland. London.
  • Frank Lentricchia and Thomas McLaughlin. (1995). Critical Terms for Literary Study. Chicago.
  • Franz Stanzel. (1988). Teorie vyprávění. Praha.
  • John Frow. (2006). Genre. London.
  • John Peck and Martin Coyle. (2002). Literary Terms and Criticism. Houndmills.
  • Rogers, Pat. (2001). The Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature. Oxford.
  • Sanders, Andrew. (2004). The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford.
  • Steve Padley. (2006). Key Concepts in Contemporary Literature. Houndmills.


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 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2025) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2025) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: -