The Introduction to Literary Studies is an obligatory course. Its first phase (the first half of the semester) consists of a lecture course, this will be followed by a seminar-type phase which will give you a chance to do hands-on work on texts in smaller groups (Grundkurse) led by members of the Introduction team.
As all other obligatory introductions in Anglophone Studies, the Introduction to Literary Studies is of elementary importance to all new students. It will be your first and crucial step towards becoming an expert reader of literature written in English. The more you know, the more you see; the more you see, the more you can try to understand, which makes the whole process of reading even more exciting and rewarding than it would be anyway.
This course will therefore help you to see more and to get to grips with all sorts of text by covering topics such as: What is literature? Why study literature? The major genres of literature (poetry, drama, narrative). Key developments in the history of these genres in English literature and their cultural contexts. Literary theory and critical approaches, i.e. how to do things with texts in more than one way. How to use essential digital resources. How to write a seminar paper, what to do when you get stuck and you absolutely don´t know what to do … and much more besides. Yes, this is a Pflichtveranstaltung, but it is also very much about enjoying literature.
The Introduction to Literary Studies will be extremely useful for all further courses in literary as well as cultural studies you will take while at university. It will be your first step towards enjoying literature even more than you do already, and also towards writing successful seminar papers, BA and MA theses.
A Reader will be available from the copy-shop Reckhammerweg well in advance of the semester. You also need to buy:
Michael Meyer, English and American Literatures. 4. Auflage. UTB Basics. ISBN-13: 798-3825-235505 |
