Universität Wien

127011 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2016S)

Concepts of Selfhood

6.00 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. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Saturday, 7 May ca. 10 - 17.30: mini conference
(Attendance is mandatory!)

  • Wednesday 09.03. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 16.03. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 06.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 13.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 20.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 27.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 04.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Saturday 07.05. 10:00 - 17:30 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Wednesday 18.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 25.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 01.06. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Wednesday 22.06. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this Critical Readings course, we will explore the concept of the self and the construction of identities in literature and film. The concept of selfhood was central for philosophers as early as Plato and Aristotle but it has become particularly pertinent since the advent of cyborgs and groundbreaking advances in artificial intelligence. It is also a pivotal issue in the newly flourishing academic study of the phenomenon of celebrity. Topics covered in this course will include: selfhood and authorship; the literary trope of the doppelgänger; performance and performativity; queer(ing) identities; the Posthuman (Braidotti).

In this course, we will examine the negotiation of selfhood in texts across periods and genres. We will introduce and revise a broad range of approaches, providing participants with the basic theoretical tools for the critical analysis and interpretation of literary and visual texts.

Assessment and permitted materials

regular attendance and participation in classroom discussions; oral presentations; portfolio consisting of individual assignments (e.g. critical review, close reading of key passages, blog entry)

Participants are expected to attend a 'mini conference' scheduled for Saturday, 7 May (ca. 10am-5.30pm).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

45% portfolio, 30% oral presentation, 25% active participation and short assignments

Examination topics

This is an interactive course ("prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung"). In addition to completing a (written) portfolio, participants are expected to read all set texts and actively participate in class throughout the semester.

Reading list

Texts will include Christopher Marlowe,"Dr Faustus" (1604); R.L. Stevenson, "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" (1886); Virginia Woolf, "Orlando" (1928); Thomas Kilroy, "The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde" (1997); David Mitchell, "Cloud Atlas" (2004).The complete list of set texts will be announced in the first session. Additional texts (short stories, poems and theoretical/secondary literature) will be provided on moodle.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612; BEd 046
Code/Modul: BA08.3; BEd Modul 10
Lehrinhalt: 12-3000

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33