Universität Wien

123046 PS Proseminar Literature (2012W)

Strange Enlightenments: An Introduction to the Fantastic in Irish Literature

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

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 10.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 17.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 24.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 31.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 07.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 14.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 21.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 28.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 05.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 12.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 09.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 16.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 23.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Wednesday 30.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

For many readers and critics (Vivian Mercier, Donald E. Morse), Irish literature and the Fantastic are synonymous. From ancient and medieval Irish myths to contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama, Irish writers have explored the Fantastic’s tropes of cognitive estrangement and imagined dystopias/utopias as a means of both creating a satiric and ludic national artistic voice, and of confronting Ireland’s strange history and cultural circumstances.

Beyond introducing the student to the general predominance of dream visions, ghosts, and other uncanny forces in Irish literature, we will trace the progression of such ‘hesitations about reality’ from the means of satire to the content of Gothicism, and finally to the indeterminacy of Modernist and Post-Modernist forms.

In the process, we will also explore how to read these tropes in and against their cultural contexts by asking whether the Fantastic genre is a conservative one — fighting the Enlightenment with reference to ancient beliefs and insights — or a radical and experimental means of writing in modern Ireland, whether in reaction to colonial oppression, the drab realities of de Valera’s post-independence Free State, or the crises of the present moment.

The course will also include a guest lecture from contemporary Irish author Julian Gough ("Jude in London", "The Orphan and the Mob", "The Great Goat Bubble")

Assessment and permitted materials

Classroom discussion (regular and participatory attendance a must); Research assignments; Student powerpoint presentations of term paper; Term Paper; Final written test.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

(1) To provide a firm grounding in the close analysis of poetry, prose, and drama, and to offer an introduction to analytical perspectives (genre theory, formalist readings, historical context, Freudian readings, feminist perspectives, queer theory, etc.). (2) To improve research techniques (electronic bibliographies, databases, etc.) (3) To strengthen academic writing skills (avoiding plagiarism, structuring your argument, following style sheets, etc.)

Examination topics

Interactive Introductory Seminar

Reading list

This course will trace the influence of the Fantastic in Irish poetry, prose, and drama from the Enlightenment Satire of Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels" and the Gaelic comic poetry of Brian Merriman, through the Irish Gothic (Sheridan Le Fanu, Bram Stoker, James Clarence Mangan), the Celtic Mysticism of Irish Revival poetry (Yeats, Lady Gregory), the fantastic in Irish modernism (James Joyce, Elizabeth Bowen), and post-modernism (Flann O’Brien, Samuel Beckett), and finally to the contemporary poetry of Eavan Boland and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, who open up this tradition for feminist re-readings.

Final reading list TBD - shorter texts will be provided on the Moodle platform.

Association in the course directory

Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, BA 612;
Code/Modul: Diplom 304, 701, UF 3.3.3-304, BA10.1;
Lehrinhalt: 12-3040

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33