Course: Introduction to the Theory of Literature

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Course title Introduction to the Theory of Literature
Course code KRP/TLIT
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Burianová Zuzana, PhDr. Ph.D.
  • Ritterová Kateřina, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Špička Jiří, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Why the literature exists. What is the origien of narration. Why we desire to hear or read a narration. Why exists the poetry. Analysis of Italian verse. Types of verses. Metrical genres (canzone, sonetto, ballata, terzina etc.). Rhyme. Free verse, its types and expressive possibilities. Story and plot. Narrative functions (Propp, Bremond). Structural terms (Genette etc.). Literary genres. Exact methodes of literary criticism. Schools of interpretation (psychoanalysis, sociology, phenomenology, semiotics). Theory of fictional worlds. Romance plots. Literary characters. Comunication in the literature system, types of authors, narrators, readers. Point of view. Reception theories. Main personalities of literary criticism.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Attendace - 24 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 24 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 21 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 21 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course acquaints the students with the issues related to the interpretation of a literary work. It deals with the methodology of literary science, literary process and genres, inner structure and sign system of a literary work. The seminar is focused on practical analysis of poetry and fiction texts.
Students acquire a survey of main trends of development of the literary sciences, with an emphasis on current trends. They become familiar with main notions of the literary theory. Students are led to independently approach the analysis of a literary text, during which they apply the acquired theoretical knowledge.
Prerequisites
None.

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Oral exam, Written exam

The students are requested to participate in the course in an active way and to fulfill all tasks given by the teacher.
Recommended literature
  • Brukner, J. - Filip, J. (1997). Poetický slovník. Praha: Mladá fronta.
  • Culler, J. (2002). Krátký úvod do literární teorie. Brno: Host.
  • Eagleton, T. (2005). Úvod do literární teorie. Praha: Triáda.
  • Eco, H. (2004). O literatuře. Praha: Argo.
  • Hodrová, D. a kol. (2001). ? na okraji chaosu? Poetika literárního díla 20. století. Praha: Torst.
  • Hrabák, J. (1973). Poetika. Praha: Československý spisovatel.
  • Nünning, A. - Trávníček, J. - Holý, J. (2006). Lexikon teorie literatury a kultury. Brno: Host.
  • Petrů, E. (2000). Úvod do studia literární vědy. Olomouc: Rubico.
  • Wellek, R. - Warren, A. (1996). Teorie literatury. Olomouc: Votobia.


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): Portuguese Philology (2015) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter