Universität Wien

123224 SE Literature Seminar / BA Paper / MA British/Irish/New English (2015S)

Adventure, Fantasy and Romance: ethical questions in contemporary young adult fiction

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

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. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 13.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 20.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 27.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 17.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 24.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 08.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 15.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 22.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 29.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 05.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 12.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 19.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
  • Friday 26.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this seminar we are going to analyse 5 celebrated novels for young adult readers which have won wide acclaim, have become bestsellers or have achieved cult status. We will deal with various genres: dystopia, fantasy fiction, historical novels cum adventure stories and an African story about crime and social conflict. In the discussion we will focus on questions of gender roles and political or social conflict, on the depiction of the societies described in the novels, on the ethical questions and moral dilemmas the protagonists face, but also on the narrative technique and the artful and suspenseful way in which the authors present the material. What responses do these texts elicit in the readers, how is sympathy manipulated and what values are promoted? We will not discuss in detail how these texts might be taught in the classroom, but they have all been marketed as young adult fiction and are likely to appeal to young readers, so that the course may also give you suggestions for reading material that can be recommended to young adults.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to write a seminar paper or BA thesis (to be handed in by the end of June at the latest), to give an oral presentation in class, to participate in the discussion in class and to write an end-test. All students must read all the texts we will discuss in the course.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Discussion of a number of celebrated novels written for young adults and analysis of questions of gender and class, social and political conflict and ethical conundrums, as well as style and narrative technique.

Examination topics

interactive, e-learning platform for information

Reading list


Association in the course directory

Studium: UF 344, BA 612, MA 844;
Code/Modul: UF 4.2.4-322, BA10.2, MA4,
Lehrinhalt: 12-0374

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33