123045 PS Literary Studies / Proseminar Literature (2020S)

'Juvenilia' is often taken as a synonym for 'immaturity' or used as a term to describe 'an artistic work produced in author's youth'. In this course, we will explore the far more complex role 'juvenilia' plays as a major theme in literary representation. Considering texts from different genres and eras, we will investigate how the representation of juvenilia is defined by narrative perspective, structure (e.g. retrospection and immediacy) and how point of view shapes the approach of the protagonists towards coming-of-age, social (dis-)integration in the adult-world, or idealisations of youth.
Another major focus will be put on on changing socio-historical and ideological concepts of identity from Romanticism to Victorianism to Modernism to Postmodernism and its influence on the representation of juvenilia and quests for identity. In this context we will discuss how these quests are represented and constructed in view of various literary theoretical contexts.
Secondary & partly primary texts will be provided on MOODLE.
Students will receive Topic-Sheets for their oral presentations & weekly mail with Information on reading-assignments /class-organisation

CONCEPT FOR DISTANCE-TEACHING/LEARNING
for the period 11.3. – 3.4. 2020 of University closure due to Corona Virus
Concerns classes: Unit 2 (17.3.) Unit 3 (24.3.) Unit 4 (31.3.)
Methods:
- Lecturer provides for background info PPTs with accompanying AUDIO-lectures.
- “Interactive” written reflections (500-600 words) for Units 3 & 4 – topic-sheets for orientation on moodle
Lecturer responds to students & provides summary with explanations
- Alternative for oral presentations: PPT as usual but with presentation-notes (optional: audio-commenting)
A detailed info-file on this concept is available on Moodle.