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Literature 1A: Introduction to Literary Studies in English

Vak
2023-2024

Admission requirements

Not applicable.

Description

In Literature 1A students (of English) will be introduced to and will learn the basic skills necessary for the academic study of (English-language) literature during their BA programme. Students will learn how to academically discuss and analyse works of prose fiction, drama, film and poetry. The critical focus will lie on the formal and thematic elements of works of literature as well as their cultural and historical contexts. By doing several small research and writing assignments students will learn to develop the proper scholarly register and essay structure in which to express their critical understanding of the works studied.

Course objectives

By the end of the course students will:

  • have knowledge of key formal and thematic aspects of prose fiction, drama, film and poetry.

  • be able to successfully apply key literary-critical terms in their analysis of literary texts.

  • have the ability to relate literary texts to their important historical and cultural contexts.

  • be able to express their critical understanding of a text in formal and well-structured academic prose.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Lecture

  • Seminar

  • Research

Assessment method

Assessment

Mid-Term Writing Assignment 30%; no minimum grade required.
Review Assignment 20%; no minimum grade required.
Short MLA Style Research Essay 50%; minimum grade required: 6.
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of all three assignments.

Students will receive written feedback on each assignment, which they are expected to scrutinize. They can contact their tutor with any questions concerning the written feedback they receive.

Weighing

Mid-Term Writing Assignment 30%; no minimum grade required.
Review Assignment 20%; no minimum grade required.
Short MLA Style Research Essay 50%; minimum grade required: 6.
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of all three assignments.

Resit

Students with a final mark lower than 6 must resit all coursework graded lower than 6.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

  • Greenblatt, Stephen, et al (eds.). The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 10th edition, Volume F (Norton) NOTE: do NOT buy the abridged “Major Authors” edition of the Norton Anthology.

  • Klarer, Mario. An Introduction to Literary Studies, 3rd edition (Routledge 2013).

  • Hitchcock (dir), Shadow of a Doubt (Dvd, or legal download)

  • Yamashita, Karen Tei. Through the Arc of the Rain Forest (Coffee House Press)

Registration

Enrolment through My Studymap (Login | Universiteit Leiden) is mandatory.

General information about MyStudyMap is available on the website

Students other than from the BA English language and culture cannot take this course.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment and admission, contact the study advisor

  • For other questions, contact the Student administration Arsenaal

Remarks

Not applicable.