Universität Wien

127011 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2019W)

Magic Realism and the Destruction of Empire

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

  • Monday 07.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 14.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 21.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 28.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 04.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 11.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 18.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 25.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 02.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 09.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 16.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 13.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 20.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 27.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course will focus on the genre of Magic Realism, including its historic development as a genre, as well as its unique narrative and thematic characteristics. Through different novelistic lenses, arising from distinct historic and national contexts, we will consider how these novels present or produce a “destruction of empire”. How do these novels ask readers to reconsider the hierarchies that govern our political/economic world? How do they force us to re-think the parameters of Space and Time? How do they offer us a chance to undermine the forces of domination that arise from Empire? These questions and many more will occupy our discussions; and to do so, we will remain in dialogue with the authors and characters whom we will meet throughout the semester.

Course outcome:
• Students will be able to identify different critical and theoretical concepts and terms used in analyzing the genre of magic realism
• Students will be able recognize literary qualities associated with Magic Realism, including its historic context and thematic foci.
• Students will be able to understand how different theoretical concepts operate as useful scholarly tools within the field of literary and cultural studies.

Assessment and permitted materials

• A short (5-7 minutes) presentation related to one of the primary texts (students are free to choose any topic as long as it relates to the text or author we are discussing for that session).
• Two written tests (mid-term and final).
• An essay of 1.200-1.500 words

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Midterm Test= 20 points
Final Test = 20 points
Term Paper=40 points
5-minute presentation= 10 points
Active Participation= 10 points

Total=100 points

Students must receive at least 60 points total in order to pass the course.

Grading scale:
1: 100-90p
2: 89-80p
3: 79-70p
4: 69-60p
5: 59-0p

Examination topics

Reading list

The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy
Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid
The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz

These texts will soon be available for purchase at the Facultas am Campus bookstore (Alte AKH, Hof 1).

The remaining primary texts, as well as secondary readings, will be available in digital form (.pdf) on Moodle.

Content Warning:
Many of our course readings this semester contain violent and difficult themes, including explicit depictions of rape and sexual assault. Students are advised to use caution and self-care this semester, bearing in mind that these themes may be addressed and confronted during in-class discussions. While these themes may (and should) elicit strong feelings of anger, sadness, outrage, and disgust, some of these themes may also be (re-)traumatizing and difficult to endure. Every student is required to be respectful and considerate toward one another, and to arrive in class with sympathy and compassion.

All students are encouraged to look into the readings ahead of time (i.e. before the semester begins) so that you may be prepared for and familiar with the course content. If you require additional assistance, advice, or accommodations, please feel free to contact me or to seek out help with the available university resources: https://slw.univie.ac.at/en/studying/student-life-who-can-help-me-with/#c168596

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612; BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: BA08.3; BEd Modul 10
Lehrinhalt: 12-3000

Last modified: Tu 08.09.2020 13:28