Literary interpretations 3 1.S3.EP.37
Course objectives:
- developing analytical and interpretive skills
- deepening knowledge of literary notions, trends, genres
- expanding understanding of literature in English
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Course content:
Theoretical background:
1. The short story. The major elements of story and discourse.
2. Plot and character.
3. Point of view and focalisation.
4. Setting and symbol.
5. Style, tone and irony.
Interpreting short stories:
6. "The Sisters" - James Joyce.
7. "Young Goodman Brown" - Nathaniel Hawthorne.
8. "An Encounter" - James Joyce.
9. "A Rose for Emily" - William Faulkner.
10. "Counterparts" - James Joyce.
11. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” – Joyce Carol Oates
12. "Two Gallants" - James Joyce.
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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:
presentation, discussion, reading of literary texts, analysis and interpretation of selected literary texts, written work, ICT tools/e-learning/MSTeams option if needed
Field of study
Student workload
Study level
Education profile
Type of course
The semester in which the subject is carried out
Mode
Requirements
Course coordinators
Term 2022/23-L: | Term 2023/24-L: | Term 2024/25-L: |
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes acc to PQR 2019
Knowledge:
The student knows and understands:
1. the major elements of story and discourse necessary in an analysis of the short story. (k_W11/ P6S_WG)
2. the detailed terminology used to discuss fiction (particularly the short story). (k_W02/P6S_WG)
3. the formal similarities and differences between the traditional short story and the modern(ist) short text. (k_W04/P6S_WG)
Skills
Student can
4. interpret short prose texts. (k_U01/P6S_UW)
5. recognise and discuss significant cultural similarities and differences between the European and American traditions of the short story. (k_U02/P6S_UW )
6. prepare a speech/presentation in English on a specific short story from the syllabus. (k_U04/P6S_UK)
Social competences
Student is ready to
7. recognises how studying and interpreting literary texts deepens one’s awareness of life. (k_K04/P6S_KO)
Assessment criteria
Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes :
1. A multimedia presentation/interpretation of a selected short story – 50% of the final grade (outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7)
2. An evaluation of active participation in classes, analyses of short stories, drawing conclusions – 50% of the final grade (outcomes 1,2,4,5,7)
Criteria of evaluation:
- A multimedia presentation on a selected short story - 80% (informative interpretation – 60%, interesting multimedia – 20%)
- An evaluation of informative participation in classes, analysis of short stories, drawing conclusions - 20 % (maximum score=3 pluses)
Grade 2, 0 (fail) 0-59%
Grade 3,0 (average) 60-68%
Grade 3,5 (plus average) 69-74%
Grade 4,0 (good) 75-84%
Grade 4,5 (plus good) 85-92%
Grade 5,0 (very good) 96-100%
The evaluation of the learning outcomes is discussed individually with the students at the end of the course.
Bibliography
Reading
Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace, 1999.
Bayley, John. The Short Story: Henry James to Elizabeth Bowen. New York: St. Martin Press, 1988.
Joyce, James. Dubliners. London: Penguin Books, 1996.
Voss, Arthur. The American Short Story. Norman: U of Oklahoma P, 1980.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: