Literary and Cultural Theory

Course Code: EN214E

Institution:

School of Arts and Communication

Revision:

2.1

For students admitted spring 2012   fall 2011   spring 2011   fall 2010   fall 2009  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 11 October 2007.
This course syllabus (version 2.1) was approved 25 May 2010 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 01 September 2010. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 30 March 2009.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

The aim of this course is to give students an understanding of important concepts in literary and cultural theory, and to develop their critical and analytical skills in reading, understanding and discussing complex theoretical texts. The course also introduces students to some of the key issues of postcolonial studies.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

Elective course within programme Language and Culture Studies (HGLCE).

The course content overlaps with the course English III (EN103E).

Entry requirements

The special prerequisites for this course, besides general entry requirements for university studies, are a pass mark from the following upper secondary school courses: English B. 60 higher education credits in Language or Cultural Studies.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:

• understands a range of theoretical concepts employed in literary and cultural studies;
• has knowledge of major theoretical approaches and thinkers;
• has knowledge of central themes, concepts and issues in postcolonial theory;
• has knowledge of how colonialism, imperialism, decolonization and globalization interact with representations of race, ethnicity, nation, class and gender in cultural texts (particularly literature), and
• can show knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives: International Migration and Ethnic Relations, Nature and Resource Management, and Equality and Gender.

Skills and ability
After finishing the course, the student:

• can carry out theoretically informed literary and cultural analysis;
• has a fair command of the skills required to approach theoretical texts;
• can analyse and discuss theoretical texts;
• can perform basic analyses of literary and cultural texts from a postcolonial perspective;
• can summarize some of the key critical concepts involved in the critical field of postcolonialism, and
• can apply knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives on postcolonial issues.

Critical skills and approach
After finishing the course, the student:

• can reflect on the theoretical underpinnings of cultural systems, institutions, and norms,
• can link cultural practices to larger theoretical frameworks,
• can reflect on how ideological and social processes affect our view of the world, and
• can reflect on the significance of postcolonial discourse as a way of thinking about cultural production.

Assessments

The course consists of two 7.5 credit modules:

• Contemporary Cultural Theory (7.5 credits)
• Postcolonialism (7.5 credits)

Module 1 (Contemporary Cultural Theory) is examined through two course papers and a final paper. The course papers are worth 20% each and the final paper is worth 60% of the total grade. In the course papers, students will apply their theoretical knowledge to an analytical task (film and text analysis). In the final paper, students relate their knowledge of the field of literary and cultural theory (as studied in the course) to either their term paper (C-uppsats) or another larger issue.

The papers are graded in the ECTS-scale. If the student fails a paper, a new paper can be submitted at a later time, specified by the teachers.

Module 2 is examined through written exams.
Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exams, apart from re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written assignments.


Course content

The course consists of two 7.5 credit modules:

• Contemporary Cultural Theory (7.5 credits)
• Postcolonialism (7.5 credits)

Module 1, Contemporary Cultural Theory
, is an introduction to important contemporary cultural theories. Through a selection of seminal texts, the course explores how concepts and issues such as text, author, discourse, value, culture, gender and sexuality can be theorized within the field of literary and cultural studies. This module is entirely group work and seminar driven.

Module 2, Postcolonialism, is an introduction to postcolonialism and the study of literature and culture from a postcolonial perspective. In a series of lectures, key issues will be presented. In follow-up seminars, a range of literary texts will be studied closely and discussed from a postcolonial perspective.


Learning activities

A combination of resources is available, including lectures, seminars, group work, self-study, library research, independent, supervised research, and a formal opposition seminar.


Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.


Reading list and other media

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 0192839659

Fraser, Nancy. Justice Interruptus. New York and London: Routledge, 1997. pp. 1−8. (copies will be provided)

Leitch, Vincent B. The North Antropology of Theory adn Criticism. New Yourk & London: Norton, 2001. ISBN 0393974294

Loomba, Ania. Colonialism/Postcolonialism. London: Routledge, 2005. ISBN 0415350646

McLeod, John. Beginning Postcolonialism. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o. A Grain of Wheat. London: Penguin, 2002. ISBN 0141186992

Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea. London: Penguin, 2000. ISBN 0141182857

Said, Edward. Culture and Imperialism. London: Vintage, 1994. pp. xi-xiv, xxii-xxxi (copies will be provided)

-----. Orientalism. London: Penguin, 2003. pp 1−28, 284−328.

Additional material may be introduced in the course, but no more than 100 pages.



Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integral part of the course. A final written evaluation based on the learning outcomes is done at the end of the course. This evaluation is used as a starting point for an oral evaluation which includes a discussion of measures to be taken to develop the course. The result of the evaluation is summarized and made available in a report to be used as a basis for future courses.