Critical Approaches to Literature (ENG340)

Content

This course is designed to strengthen students’ ability to read, think, and communicate critically about literary texts (works of literature, literary criticism, and literary and critical theory). The coursework focuses on how to interpret literature, with an emphasis on contemporary literary-critical approaches and their practical application for textual analysis. Students will discover the transformative power of reading literature and develop their critical literacy skills through advanced literary studies, while developing a theoretical toolkit for textual interpretation and cultivating life-enriching modes of critical reading, thinking, and writing. The primary readings in the course are intellectually serious and formally skillful works of literature (and related cultural artifacts), read closely and deliberately, paired with relevant literary criticism and interdisciplinary critical theory.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

By the end of the course, students are expected to:

• have advanced knowledge about contemporary literary studies, with specialized insights into interpretive methods for textual analysis
• have thorough knowledge about important works of literature, literary criticism, and critical theory, and in-depth understanding of critical approaches and methods for textual analysis in literary studies
• be able to apply knowledge about critical approaches and theoretical concepts to interpret new and unfamiliar texts in literary studies
• be able to analyze significant literary-critical approaches and their practical application in academic disciplines and professional fields

Skills

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• analyze and critically engage with literary texts and various sources of information, using them to formulate and structure reasonable claims and scholarly informed arguments
• analyze different critical approaches, methods, and interpretive frameworks in literary studies, using them to solve problems and practice textual analysis
• use key theoretical concepts as tools to develop methods for working independently with ideas and issues raised in literary texts
• formulate intelligent interpretations using literary-critical approaches when researching, writing, and teaching about socially significant issues

General competence

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• apply new knowledge and skills to carry out advanced assignments and projects
• communicate (verbally and in writing) using correct, varied, and precise English
• communicate about academic issues, analyses, and conclusions in the interdisciplinary field of literary studies, both with specialists and the general public
• contribute to new thinking and innovative processes by developing transferable intellectual skills, such as: critical thinking, problem solving, creative innovation, cultural awareness, and effective communication

Required prerequisite knowledge

The general requirements for admission to the Master’s program.

Exam

Coursework requirements

Obligatory attendance, Written assignment, Presentation

• One written assignment, 2000 words +/- 10%
• One presentation, 5-7 minutes.
• Mandatory attendance (75% minimum)

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Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Eric Dean Rasmussen

Study Adviser:

Signe Ekenberg

Method of work

Interactive lectures.

Open for

English and Literacy Studies, Master’s Degree Program

Advanced teacher education for levels 8-13

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature