Universität Wien

127013 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2019S)

Kazuo Ishiguro and Literary Theory

6.00 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. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 01.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 08.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 29.04. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 06.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 13.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 20.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 27.05. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 03.06. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 17.06. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13
  • Monday 24.06. 18:00 - 20:00 Raum 3 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-13

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

We will focus on the writings of the latest winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Kazuo Ishiguro, and possible theoretical approaches to his work. As most of his works are highly allegorical, they present the student of literature with a variety of theoretical approaches. Yet, most recent studies have foregrounded the author's biography as crucial for an insight into his work. We will return to the idea of the death of the author and explore in how far poststructuralist approaches to the novels result in a variety of interpretations that can safely ignore the biographical context. We will compare and contrast different theories in class in combination with Ishiguro's work, including Marxist, feminist, postcolonial and diasporic readings. Students will be responsible for a particular theoretical approach, presenting texts by Walter Benjamin, Julia Kristeva, Bill Ashcroft, Charles Taylor and others.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance and active participation in course discussions (two missed sessions max.); 30 min. oral presentation of an assigned theoretical text; short term paper (1.500 words); due July 31st, 2019.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Active participation in class discussions: 30%
Oral Presentation: 30%
Term Paper: 40%

To pass the course, students must attain at least 60%.

Grades in %:
1: 90 - 100%
2: 80 - 89%
3: 70 - 79%
4: 60 - 69%
5: 0 - 59%

Examination topics

There will be no written exam at the end of the course.

Reading list

Please read the following novels in advance:
Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day (1989), When We Were Orphans (2000) and Never Let Me Go (2005).

All theory texts will be available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

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

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33