autumn 2021
ENG-3192 Literary and Cultural Theory - 10 ECTS

Application deadline

Applicants from countries within EU/EEA: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.


Type of course

This course is intended for students in the master's programme in English literature and students in the master's programme in teacher education year 8-13 (lektorutdanning trinn 8-13, studieretning engelsk, jf. progresjonskrav for år 4).

This course may be taken as a single course by students who qualify for admission to the master's programme in English Literature. Please see the admission requirements section.


Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification, in English literature, or a degree combining English literature and a closely-related discipline (minimum 80 ECTS in English). An average grade equivalent to C or better (in the Norwegian grading system) is required.

Application code: 9371 - Enkeltemner på masternivå (Nordic applicants).


Course content

We will read key texts of critical theory from the early to the late Twentieth Century. The course is premised on the idea that theory informs each and every act of reading and interpretation. We will unravel and discuss the central tenets of each movement and the evolution of theoretical ideas throughout the century. Our readings of critical theory will then be put to use by engaging with a number of works of fiction to which we will refer throughout the semester. Students will apply the different tools of interpretation learnt in the course to their reading of these texts.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

Students will:

  • acquire a working knowledge of significant movements in twentieth century literary theory.
  • recognize the significance of theoretical thought to the appreciation and understanding of literature and culture.  
  • learn methods of applying literary and cultural theories to works of literature;

Skills

Students will:

  • develop an ability to articulate the broader ways in which literary theory applies to their own culture, global culture, and their own lives;  
  • learn to compare and synthesize the theories presented;
  • demonstrate their ability to relate to theoretical concepts both orally, through class participation, and in written form, in their responses and paper; and
  • locate, cite, and intelligently incorporate several sources into their final paper and shorter essays.


Language of instruction and examination

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Teaching methods

The course will be taught over thirteen weeks of two-hour seminars. There will be teaching-free periods for academic supervision.

Quality assurance: All courses undergo an evaluation once in a 2-year period at the master's level.


Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open for inbound exchange student who meets the admission requirements, including prerequisites. Please see the Admission requirements" and the "Prerequisite" sections for more information.

Do you have questions about this course?  Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412


Assessment

Coursework requirements:

Five short written responses (1-2 pages) to the reading materials. The obligatory coursework requirements must be approved in order to take the final exam.

This course requires regular attendance. However, a distance learning version of the course will also be available. For students who miss more than 3 class meetings (or who wish to take the course as distance students), it will be possible to submit a 500-word response paper addressing the topic for each class meeting missed.

Assessment method:

A term paper of 12-15 pages.

All written work is based on the following standard: Times New Roman, 12, 1,5, 2,5 cm.

Grading:

Performance in the course will be assessed with the grades A-F. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-sit examination is offered in in the beginning of the following semester in cases of grade F. A postponed examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester if the student is unable to take the final exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances.

The deadline for registering (via the Studentweb) for the re-sit/postponed examination is 15 January (for autumn semester exams). The new exam date will be announced in the Studentweb approximately in the beginning of February (for autumn semester exams). In the event of a re-sit/postponed examination, the student is allowed to submit a revised version of his/her term paper.


  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: ENG-3192
  • Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet