Universität Wien

160232 PS Rethinking Realism (2009W)

Continuous assessment of course work

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 06.10. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 13.10. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 20.10. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 27.10. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 03.11. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 10.11. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 17.11. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 24.11. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 01.12. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 15.12. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 12.01. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 19.01. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)
  • Tuesday 26.01. 14:00 - 16:00 (Seminarraum B Berggasse 11 1.OG)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course Description
Ever since antiquity, the representation of reality in literature has been an important topic addressed by writers, scholars, and critics. This interactive course aims at investigating major theories of realism and offers an opportunity for probing into different forms of realistic expression. Although our core texts will stem from the realm of U.S. American literature, including works of fiction by Sarah Orne Jewett, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Bret Harte, George Washington Cable, Kate Chopin, Charles Waddell Chesnutt, Mark Twain, William Dean Howells, Henry James, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Gertrude Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa), we will also discuss developments in France and Latin America such as naturalism, les nouveaux romanciers, and magic realism in an attempt at rethinking realism in broad comparative terms. In addition, we will try to solve the question where life writing and literary journalism fit in. Ultimately, we will ask whether realism might not best be conceived of as an effect on the audience that is neither limited to a specific period nor to a specific style of writing.

Please obtain your own copy of Kate Chopin's The Awakening and read it before the beginning of classes.

Assessment and permitted materials

regular attendance, active participation in class, oral presentation, two written reports, term paper (10-15 pages)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

to further the understanding of 'realism' as a construction of critics and literary historians, to enhance the students' knowledge of U.S. American literary texts and traditions, to gain insight into the interconnectedness of national literatures, to practice comparative approaches

Examination topics

discussion in class, group work, oral presentations

Reading list


Association in the course directory

BA M5; Diplomstudium VL 141;
Anrechenbarkeit: als 526 und 426 und für LIT ¿ im MA Modul North American Studies

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36