Cultural Encounter. Representation of the Other in Fiction, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

Applicants must, by the closing date for application, hold a bachelor’s degree 180 ECTS credits including a 15 ECTS degree project, with a major in one of the following subjects:
Comparative Literature, General Linguistics, English, French, German, Spanish, or Swedish.

English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6/B)

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should on an advanced level be able to
- Identify and describe strategies of representing cultural difference in fiction e.g. mechanisms of exclusion, such as othering and the use of stereotype, in relation to the historical, social and cultural context in selected fiction portraying intercultural experiences.
- Critically analyse literary texts and films using terminology and perspectives borrowed from postcolonial and literary theory.

Course content

The course relies on postcolonial theory in the analysis of literature and film within their historical, social and cultural context. Concepts and terminology from literary studies and postcolonial theory are introduced and applied in the study of representations of cultural difference in both film and literature.

Teaching and working methods

The course is organised in lectures, student active seminars, preparation and presentation of the context to literature which will be investigated during the course, and independent study and preparation of study questions for the seminars. Lastly there is an optional presentation of a research article. The course can if necessary be given in English

Examination

Each student is examined by way of a take-home assignment dealing with the course literature, and an assessment of the student’s oral presentations and the student’s activity in seminars.

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 carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department