Universität Wien

120014 SE Through a twisted mirror: 'Telling it as it isn't' (2007W)

Literary Seminar

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work

anrechenbar als K 521, K 522 für AHStG-Studienplan. ECTS UF Englisch: 3.00

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 05.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 12.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 19.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 09.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 16.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 23.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 30.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 07.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 14.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 11.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 18.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 25.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In the seminar we will analyse a number of recently published novels featuring unreliable, cognitively impaired or immature (child) narrators and discuss the effects such focalisation has on the supposed truth value of the narration and the reader's response to it. How do we recognise unreliable narration? Is our sympathy invariably engaged by insight into a narrator's mind and motivation or are we, rather, put off if his/her world view clashes too radically with our own beliefs and ethical values? How is it that the limited cognitive grasp of a narrator can be used, variously, to engage our compassion and understanding of people very different from us, as a tool for social and political criticism and as an innovative perspective on well-known events? How does the use of an unconventional style and structure contribute to the overall effect of the narrative?
Grades will depend on the 10,000 word seminar paper (to be handed in before the oral presentation), the brief oral presentation, participation in the discussion in class and an end-test.

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

seminar; interactive

Reading list

The books discussed will include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night (featuring an autistic narrator - a text potentially interesting for class-room reading at school), Vernon God Little (about a school massacre) and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (describing 9/11 through the eyes of a child).

Association in the course directory

322, 821, 338, 722, K 521, K 522, K531, K532

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33