Course content

This course provides a basic introduction to the literary theories of the last century, viewed as a reflection on how literature creates broad themes, expounds, and develops a vision of humanity's fundamental relationship to itself, the world, and to language.

The course also includes a historic component, which provides a survey of the most important schools of modern literary theory. During the course students will be familiarized with modern theoreticians and philosophers who have been dominant in our contemporary humanistic debate, such as Erich Auerbach, Mihail Bakhtin, Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno, Roman Jakobson, Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag and Shosana Felman.

Learning outcome

The course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the literary theories of the last century. Students will read and become acquainted with a series of modern theoreticians and philosophers who have been dominant in our contemporary humanistic debate. The course will promote a deeper reflection on how literature creates themes, expounds, and develops a vision of humanity's fundamental relationship to itself, the world, and to language.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and group studies including written assignments.

Course requirements:
Approved written assignment (4-5 pages) with feedback.

Time frame:
½ semester (January - March).

Compulsory assignments

• Approved written assignment

Recommended previous knowledge

EXFAC0003, or a corresponding course.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

The reading list will be available first day of class.

Credit reductions