World Literature and Global Storytelling, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Global Studies

Entry requirements

• 60 ECTS credits passed in Arts or Social science area
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• account for the history of world literature and literatures from the global South
• discuss and contextualize concepts of world literature and literatures from the global South
• explain basic theories concerning world literature and literatures from the global South
• problematize the division between written and oral storytelling
• discuss the role of translations in literary mediation
• employ concepts and theories from the field of world literature in the analysis of literary texts

Course content

The course explores the concept world literature from a historical and theoretical perspective. The impact of oral storytelling on written texts and the role of translation for the dissemination of fiction is discussed. The role of translations in the transmission of literature is examined in relation to translatability, transparency, as well as linguistic and cultural uniqueness. The course actualizes perceptions of center and periphery, marginality, postcolonial criticism and decolonial thinking through its focus on literary expressions from the global South. Special emphasis is placed on power dynamics, gender, racialization, the environment and ecology. 

Teaching and working methods

The course offers a combination of lectures, seminars, individual assignments and group assignments. Students are expected to be well prepared for lectures and to have completed assigned preparations for seminars. 

Language of instruction and examination: English

Examination

The course uses the following forms of examination:

• active participation in seminars, grading scale: EC, P/F
• individual written reflections, grading scale: EC, P/F
• individual written assignment, grading scale: EC

For a passing grade in the course (E), the student needs to pass the individual written assignment with at least an E and Pass on the two other forms of examination. Higher grades are given depending on the grade on the individual written assignment.

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department