6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1020958AER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.
This course studies the complex relation between literature and identity by means of a selection of literary texts in English belonging to various literary movements and genres and produced in different historical, geographical and sociocultural contexts. It examines how literature in English has affirmed, reinforced and challenged constructions of identity on a variety of levels (individual, community, region, nation, language, religion, class, gender, ethnicity, race, etc.). It also considers how, in turn, issues of identity have been a driving force for literary creation, the establishment and the confirmation of literary conventions, but also for the questioning of the canon (canon controversy) and the development of new approaches to the writing and reading of literature. By studying how literature in English and issues pertaining to identity and its formation influence one another, the course offers deeper insight into some of the major literary debates and (ongoing) developments in (approaches to the study of) literature in English.
Interactive introductory lectures are combined with discussion seminars aimed at the detailed analysis (close reading) of selected texts. Active participation in both is essential. Academic reading material and reading assignments guide the students’ home preparation as well as the discussion in class. Students prepare for each discussion seminar by means of a list of suggested topics and/or additional reading assignments and may be invited to lead the seminar discussion of on one or more of the suggested topics. They are encouraged to adopt a critical attitude towards the scholarly sources they consult to develop their discussion and to confer with their instructor when preparing for their presentations.
Students are assumed to have a good level of reading, listening, speaking and writing skills in English, intermediate skills in literary analysis, and a solid understanding of the historical development and the variety in literature in English.
See Canvas for more detailed information.
In order to take this class, compulsory additional costs may be charged in addition to the invoice sent to you as a student by the Student Administration Centre: for participation in literary events off campus a minimum contribution of €5 and a maximum contribution of €15 will be required. The costs are borne by the student and can neither be passed on to fellow students nor recovered from the lecturer or faculty. The amounts stated are approximately correct. If you experience payment difficulties as a result of these additional costs, you can contact Student Social Services via sociale.dienst.studenten@vub.ac.be or + 32 2 629 23 15. More information can also be found on https://my.vub.ac.be/en/social-services.
The students have an understanding of the mutual influence literature in English and identity formation exert on one another. They have deeper insight into some of the major literary debates and (ongoing) developments in literature in English and an awareness of how these are grounded in identity issues and how, conversely, the latter drive literary developments (incl. canon formation and canon controversy). They can analyse and interpret longer literary texts and can report on their interpretations by means of the appropriate literary terms and concepts and in critical conversation with relevant literary scholarship. They advance their communicative competence in English as well as their close reading skills.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
LEC Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Students who do not engage with the practical assignments (30%) receive 0 for this component of the evaluation; marks for these assignments are not carried over to the second exam session. In the second exam session, the format and weight of the evaluation components may differ.
NB: The description of the evaluation is provisional and subject to changes depending on the size and composition of the class. Any changes in the evaluation procedure will be communicated to the students via Canvas at the beginning of the course.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Dutch-English (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and Literary Studies: English-German (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and Literary Studies: English-French (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and Literary Studies: English-Italian (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and Literary Studies: English-Spanish (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Applied Language Studies: Nederlands-Engels (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Applied Language Studies: Frans-Engels (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Applied Language Studies: Engels-Duits (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Applied Language Studies: Engels-Spaans (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Linguistics and LiteraryStudies: Dutch-English
Bachelor of Linguistics and LiteraryStudies: English-German
Bachelor of Linguistics and LiteraryStudies: English-French
Bachelor of Linguistics and LiteraryStudies: English-Italian
Bachelor of Linguistics and LiteraryStudies: English-Spanish