Literary and Cultural Theory

This course is mandatory 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 fulfill the admission requirements.

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.

A 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).

A minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale, see UiT's webpage for international admissions for more information on how the point average is calculated.

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

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
• locate, cite, and intelligently incorporate several sources into their final paper and shorter essays

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.

Language of instruction and examination

Schedule

This course is open for inbound exchange students who fulfill the admission requirements.

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

More info about the coursework requirements

• Five short written responses (1-2 pages) to the reading materials.
• This course requires regular attendance. For students who miss more than 3 class meetings, it will be possible to submit a 500-word response paper addressing the topic for each class meeting missed.

Re-sit examination