5.00 credits
30.0 h + 15.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Vanasten Stéphanie;
Language
Dutch
Prerequisites
Level B1 of the Common Europea Framework of Reference for Languages
Main themes
Emphasis is placed on the critical reading and analysis of modern and contemporary literary texts. Various literary genres are studied : poetry, novels, short stories, theater.
Students are introduced to the main concepts, techniques and tools of literary criticism necessary in the study of scholarly texts.
The course introduces students to the core concepts of classical and postclassical narratology, the theory of literary genres and close textual readings of literary texts. Several aspects of literature, its effects (rhetorical, ethical, esthetic, etc.), its positioning (institutional, cultural, political) or its functions (place of memory, cognition, knowledge, etc.) are highlighted and illustrated by canonical texts.
An analysis of some chosen literary works will be presented based on current research methods
Students are introduced to the main concepts, techniques and tools of literary criticism necessary in the study of scholarly texts.
The course introduces students to the core concepts of classical and postclassical narratology, the theory of literary genres and close textual readings of literary texts. Several aspects of literature, its effects (rhetorical, ethical, esthetic, etc.), its positioning (institutional, cultural, political) or its functions (place of memory, cognition, knowledge, etc.) are highlighted and illustrated by canonical texts.
An analysis of some chosen literary works will be presented based on current research methods
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 |
By the end of this course, students - will have acquired the basic concepts and methods of literary research and analysis through critical reading of mainly modern and contemporary canonical texts ; - will be able to identify and describe various scholarly methods of critical reading and study of literature ; - will be able to analyze, interpret and comment on a poem, a short story, a novel and/or a play using a scholarly method ; - will demonstrate their knowledge of basic literary vocabulary and terminology in Dutch studies. |
Content
This course aims to familiarize students with a wide variety of texts (of different genres, authors, periods, functions and effects) belonging to literature written in Dutch, and to help them take pleasure in reading those texts. Starting from a brief focus on the object "literature" and the material conditions of book production, we will critically examine the disciplinary field and the criteria determining whether or not a text belongs to the category of "Dutch literature". The course then introduces the main theoretical, critical and methodological tools for approaching literary texts in their diversity: according to their genre (narrative, poetic, dramatic texts), their medium and materiality, their posterity (canonization, memory, circulation), their positioning (socio-cultural, political, institutional), their functions and effects (rhetorical, anthropological, ethical, aesthetic..), the reading experience and the process of interpretation. Students are introduced to various methods of textual analysis and critical paradigms whose main operating concepts are presented. Some canonical works or texts that are representative of the studied aspects are analyzed in detail.
The course also aims to deepen the students' autonomy in their reading and critical analysis of literary texts in Dutch, and introduces them to heuristic research in Dutch literary studies.
The course also aims to deepen the students' autonomy in their reading and critical analysis of literary texts in Dutch, and introduces them to heuristic research in Dutch literary studies.
Teaching methods
Introduction to the main concepts of literary theory and criticism and to the tools of literary analysis (with further readings at home). Illustration and exploration of various issues through selected literary works. Students are expected to do their required readings before class. Where applicable, a series of open questions orient their reading and analysis.
Presentation of critical methods of analysis (with the help of excerpts from scholarly articles) and elaboration, in interaction with the lecturer, of a personal and argued analysis in which one experiments with the text's virtualities, confronts points of view, evaluates reading methods and questions their validity. Awareness of the risk of plagiarism and the importance of intellectual integrity.
Students are expected to actively take part in the discussions, which 3 compulsory written assignments will contribute to.
The course includes 15 hours of workshops (tutorials) consisting of exercices and text analysis in order to help students overcome the difficulties that may arise. Visiting a museum or attending a play in group helps the students to enrich their learning process in a new environment.
Presentation of critical methods of analysis (with the help of excerpts from scholarly articles) and elaboration, in interaction with the lecturer, of a personal and argued analysis in which one experiments with the text's virtualities, confronts points of view, evaluates reading methods and questions their validity. Awareness of the risk of plagiarism and the importance of intellectual integrity.
Students are expected to actively take part in the discussions, which 3 compulsory written assignments will contribute to.
The course includes 15 hours of workshops (tutorials) consisting of exercices and text analysis in order to help students overcome the difficulties that may arise. Visiting a museum or attending a play in group helps the students to enrich their learning process in a new environment.
Evaluation methods
Formative assessment : compulsory preparatory readings, exercises integrated into the lectures and obligatory workshops (to facilitate adaptation to the academic context), active participation, self-study tasks through Moodle.Continuous assessment (20%): compulsory participation in workshops and learning activities (e.a. visiting a museum or attending a play in group), completion of 3 compulsory assignments (heuristic exercises, poetic analysis, personal and critical commentary of a text in prose). If students have not regularly followed these learning activities (including more than one unjustified absence from the workshops preparing for the final assessment), the student may be refused access to the oral examination, which mobilises in particular the learning outcomes targeted here.
Final evaluation: written exam on the course (60%) and oral exam consisting of a personal commentary with bibliography on a text based on, inter alia, a scholarly article (20%).
The student’s mastery of written and spoken Dutch and the correct use of the disciplinary terminology are part of the assessment criteria.
For students who have to resit the exam, the assessment is divided as follows: written exam (70%) and oral exam (30%).
In order to achieve the minimum pass mark for this course, taking the various learning activities into account, a score of at least 8/20 must be obtained for each of the two parts of the final assessment (written exam, oral exam). If the student has obtained a mark of less than 8/20 for (one of) these parts, then the final mark for the entire exam session cannot exceed 9/20.
Final evaluation: written exam on the course (60%) and oral exam consisting of a personal commentary with bibliography on a text based on, inter alia, a scholarly article (20%).
The student’s mastery of written and spoken Dutch and the correct use of the disciplinary terminology are part of the assessment criteria.
For students who have to resit the exam, the assessment is divided as follows: written exam (70%) and oral exam (30%).
In order to achieve the minimum pass mark for this course, taking the various learning activities into account, a score of at least 8/20 must be obtained for each of the two parts of the final assessment (written exam, oral exam). If the student has obtained a mark of less than 8/20 for (one of) these parts, then the final mark for the entire exam session cannot exceed 9/20.
Other information
Teaching Materials:
handbooks of literary theory and textual analysis; anthology of chosen literary works and film extracts; introductory guide to heuristics in Dutch literary studies (Moodle), powerpoints and hand-outs on Moodle.
handbooks of literary theory and textual analysis; anthology of chosen literary works and film extracts; introductory guide to heuristics in Dutch literary studies (Moodle), powerpoints and hand-outs on Moodle.
Online resources
see Moodle
Bibliography
E. van Boven & G. Dorleijn, Literair mechaniek. Bussum: Coutinho, 3de herziene druk, 2013.
L. Herman & B. Vervaeck, Vertelduivels. Handboek verhaalanalyse. Brussel: VUB Press, 2005. (mise à jour: Handbook of Narrative Analysis. University of Nebraska Press, 2019.)
E. van Alphen, L. Duyvendak, M. Meijer en B. Peperkamp, Op poëtische wijze. Bussum: Coutinho, 1996.
J. Dera & C. De Strycker (red.), Gedichten van het nieuwe millennium. Gent: PoëzieCentrum, 2021.
L. Herman & B. Vervaeck, Vertelduivels. Handboek verhaalanalyse. Brussel: VUB Press, 2005. (mise à jour: Handbook of Narrative Analysis. University of Nebraska Press, 2019.)
E. van Alphen, L. Duyvendak, M. Meijer en B. Peperkamp, Op poëtische wijze. Bussum: Coutinho, 1996.
J. Dera & C. De Strycker (red.), Gedichten van het nieuwe millennium. Gent: PoëzieCentrum, 2021.
Faculty or entity
ELAL
