Literature in English: Older Period

6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1023264ANR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester

1st and 2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

Om Literature in English: Older Period op te nemen moet je tegelijk ook English Proficiency I volgen of ervoor geslaagd zijn. Als je een verkort programma volgt, kan je dit vak zo opnemen.

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Hannah Van Hove
Elisabeth Bekers (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
75 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This survey course studies the development of literature in English from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Enlightenment. It highlights the diversity of the older period by covering texts that are representative of different literary genres and styles. It also introduces the most significant literary-historical concepts and literary terms.

Course material

Handbook (Required) : The Norton Anthology of English Literature. The Major Authors, Vols. A & B, Greenblatt Stephen, ed., 10, Norton, 9780393603118, 2018
Handbook (Recommended) : The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vols. 1 & 2, Baym Nina, ed., Shorter 9th, Norton, 9780393264517, 2017
Handbook (Recommended) : English Literature in Context, Poplawski Paul, ed., 2, Cambridge University Press, 9781316506639, 2017
Handbook (Recommended) : Trees, Maps, and Theorems: Effective Communication for Rational Minds, (esp. chapter on "Effective Oral Presentations"), Doumont Jean-Luc, Principiæ, 9789081367707, 2009
Handbook (Recommended) : The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, Chris Baldick, 4, Oxford University Press, 9780198715443, 2015
Digital course material (Required) : course slides, Bekers, Elisabet, updated annually
Handbook (Recommended) : A Brief History of English Literature, Peck John - Martin Coyle, 2, Palgrave, 9781137352668, 2013
Handbook (Recommended) : MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Gibaldi Joseph, 8, MLA, 9781603293518, 2021
Digital course material (Required) : Writing Guide for Students of Literature in English (TALK), Bekers Elisabeth, et al., updated annually, Canvas
Handbook (Recommended) : A History of English Literature, Alexander Michael, 3, Palgrave Macmillan, 9780230368316, 2013

Additional info

This course consists of lectures and discussion seminars. In the first term interactive lectures aim at a general survey of the older period; in the second term discussion seminars aim at a detailed analysis (clore reading) of selected texts. Active participation in the lectures and seminars is essential. The lectures are accompanied by reading assignments and the discussion topics are introduced by additional reading and research suggestions that guide the students’ home preparation as well as the discussion in class. Students prepare for each discussion seminar by means of list of discussion topics and/or additional reading assignments and may be invited to lead the seminar discussion of one of the assigned topics. They are encouraged to confer with their instructor when preparing for their presentations.

The reading list (incl. the literary works to be studied) and additional reading material (incl. ppts) will be made available via Canvas. Students complement this information with their own lecture/class notes.

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.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

Students gain insight into the development of literature in English and how it relates to the broader cultural and political histories of English-speaking regions. They have an understanding of the (geographic, cultural-historical, formal,…) diversity of literature in English. They can analyse and interpret (also longer) literary texts as well as report on their interpretation orally as well as in writing. They are able to do so using the appropriate literary-historical concepts and literary terms.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 35% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 45% of the final mark.
LEC Practical Assignment determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral exam with a relative weight of 35 which comprises 35% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Written exam with a relative weight of 45 which comprises 45% of the final mark.

Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Permanente evaluatie with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Note: presentatie (20 %) en deelname aan de discussie (10 %)

Additional info regarding evaluation

Students have to obtain a pass mark for each semester in order to obtain a pas mark for the course as a whole. Pass marks (at least 10/20) for either semester are automatically transferred to the second session. In the second session the weight and format of the exams may differ.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context