Gender and Sexuality in Literature

This course is intended for students in the bachelor programme in English and students in the teacher education years 8-13 programme (lektorutdanning trinn 8-13, studieretning engelsk).

The course may be taken as a single course.

Historically and in the present, gender and sexuality have been constructed and maintained through the application of social norms and restrictions. While heteronormative and patriarchal cultures have insisted on prescribed roles and behaviors for men and women, individuals have found ways to subvert and defy these norms. Meanwhile, ongoing developments in feminism and the rise of gender and queer studies have led to reassessments of the ways in which gender roles are acted out and performed.

This course addresses these issues as they are related to literature. Topics include (but are not limited to) the relationship between gender and literary genre; literary responses to constructions of femininity and masculinity; and transgressive sexuality in past and current literary texts.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

A good command of oral and written English is recommended.

Application code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).

The student has the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

• broad knowledge of key topics in gender and sexuality studies and their role in literary works
• familiarity with past and current attitudes toward particular aspects of gender and sexuality through their literary representations
• insight into past and contemporary issues and debates concerning the ways in which gender roles and sexual norms have been constructed and upheld

Skills

The student is able to/can:

• apply the concepts introduced in the course in analyzing particular literary texts
• find, evaluate and refer to scholarly sources concerning the texts in question
• communicate and express ideas in both oral and written form using concepts and terms presented in the course
• understand the significance of the topics and issues presented to their ongoing studies of literature and culture

13 weeks of teaching (two hours per week).

Teaching methods include lectures, class discussions, and independent study.

Quality assurance

All courses will be evaluated once during the period of the study program. The board of the program decides which courses will be evaluated by students and teacher each year.

Language of instruction and examination

Schedule

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.

Re-sit examination