Universität Wien

127012 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2021S)

Exercises in Narratology: Ian McEwan’s Short Fiction

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

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Double sessions, Wednesday 4.15–7.15 PM; course commences 3 March 2021 and ends 28 April 2021

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course will focus on using and testing various narratological concepts and theories in the analysis of the short fiction of British author Ian McEwan. We will explore how forms of narrative transmission create meaning – how they relate to, shape, or even constitute ‘the story’ of a text. We will try out different narratological models and discuss their productiveness in the interpretation of individual texts. Our syllabus consists of McEwan’s two early short story collections, First Love, Last Rites (1975) and In Between the Sheets (1978), as well as his short novel The Comfort of Strangers (1981). These works, among others, earned McEwan the moniker ‘Ian Macabre’ for their prevailing themes of sex, perversion, and the grotesque. But they also explore various modes of narrative transmission and technique – they were, in the words of the young author, a “laboratory” for his literary exercises. In this course, they will serve as the basis of our narratological exercises.

NB: If you are uncomfortable discussing topics like paedophilia, incest or sexual violence, this might not be the right course for you!

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Assessment and permitted materials

regular attendance / preparation of assigned reading / active participation / specialists session + handout / portfolio (one critical review + three short literary analyses) / students must own and use hard copies of primary works (the required editions are available at FACULTAS on Campus, Altes AKH, Hof 1)

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Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Point distribution as follows:
20 % Active participation
20 % Specialists session + handout
30 % Critical review (1500 words)
30 % Three short literary analyses (800 words each)

Marking as follows:
90–100 % …… 1 / very good
80 – 89 % …… 2 / good
70 – 79 % …… 3 / satisfactory
60 – 69 % …… 4 / pass
00 – 59 % …… 5 / fail

Points must be collected in all categories. Students must attain 60% to pass this course.

The handout and the written assignments must adhere to the department’s style sheet for papers in literary and cultural studies.

No more than two sessions (i.e. one double session or two half-sessions) may be missed without medical statement. Missing more than three sessions (i.e. three half-sessions) will result in failing the class.

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Examination topics

This course will rely on the theoretical concepts conveyed in the literary and cultural studies introductory lectures. Participants are encouraged to revisit their notes from these lectures before the semester begins, especially those pertaining to narratology.

In their written and oral contributions to this course, students must demonstrate that they understand and know how to use concepts from literary theory.

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Reading list

McEwan, Ian. First Love, Last Rites (1975)
—.In Between the Sheets (1978)
—.The Comfort of Strangers (1981)

[Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction (1983/2002)]

All primary texts (two collections + one novel) will be available at Facultas on Campus. I highly recommend buying Rimmon-Kenan's Narrative Fiction. It’s worth the money but students on a budget might find the price tag beyond their capabilities. Therefore, the most relevant passages will be provided on Moodle, as also other secondary texts.

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Association in the course directory

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

Last modified: We 21.04.2021 11:26