SFE10108 English: Culture Studies I (Autumn 2008)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory in the one-year English programme. Optional in the bachelor programme Society, Language and Culture.

Prerequisites

General requirements for entry to higher education or equivalent knowledge of English.

Lecture Semester

Autumn 2008

Content

Introduction to issues of intercultural communication with a particular focus on understanding typical British values and norms. A chronological presentation of the development of national institutions, politics, society and culture is given.

The introduction to British literature covers the development from the href="http://www.hiof.no/neted/admin/7^th century until today. The students read four novels, two plays, two short stories and a selection of poetry and factual prose, representing different epochs.

 

Introduction to literary theory is a compulsory part of the course, aimed at giving students a basis of literary terminology, literary analysis and genre theory, as well as making them understand the importance of literary texts in the teaching of foreign languages at different levels. Special features of literary texts are discussed such as the three main genres, epic fiction, drama and poetry as well as the main principles of literary analysis. This part of the course, which is organised as lectures and practical exercises, is taught in Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language), with the addition of also introducing the relevant terminology of the target language.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures and seminars. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions and group tasks. Group work outside scheduled classes is encouraged.

The language of instruction is English with the exception of the introductory course in literary theory.

Practical training/internship

None.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

Two assignments must be submitted. The first version will receive feedback from the course instructor and a revised version is handed in for approval. The second assignment must use and document secondary sources.

 

80% attendance is compulsory at the introductory course in literary theory.

Also the didactics part has compulsory attendance (a minimum of 80%). Exemption from the attendance rule can only be granted on application, stating the reason for failure of attendance.

 

The coursework must be approved before students may sign up for the final examination.

Examination

A 5-hour written examination. Aids permitted: English-English dictionary.

Grading scale: A-F.

Literature

• Knutsen, K & M Dypedahl, Culture Studies I. Compendium, local print.
• Alexander, M, A History of English Literature
• Peck, J & M Coyle, Literary Terms and Criticism
• Griffith, K, Writing Essays about Literature
• Oakland, J (2002), British Civilization: An Introduction. 5^th ed.
• McDowall, D, An Illustrated History of Britain, Longman, latest ed.

 

Introduction to literary theory:

• Knutsen, K & E N Vestli, Innføring i litteraturvitenskp for språkstudenter. Compendium, local print, or to be downloaded from Blackboard.

 

Novels and plays

• Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility
• Roddy Doyle: The Woman Who Walked into Doors
• Virginia Woolf: Mrs. Dalloway
• J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• William Shakespeare: Hamlet
• Tom Stoppard: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

 

The following prose, poetry and short stories (included in the compendium Culture Studies I):

Poetry:

William Shakespeare: 2 sonnets

John Donne: "Batter my heart"

Wordsworth: "Upon Westminster"

John Keats: "Ode to a Nightingale"

Robert Browning: "My Last Duchess"

William Butler Yeates: "Easter 1916"

Wilfred Owen: "Anthem for Doomed Youth"

Dylan Thomas: "Fern Hill"

W.H. Auden: "Musée des Beax Arts"

Seamus Heaney: "Punishment"

Ted Hughes: "Night Ride on Ariel", "Sam"

 

Prose and short stories:

Jonathan Swift: "A Modest Proposal"

Katherine Mansfield: "The Voyage"
Doris Lessing: "To Room 19"

 

All students must have an English-English dictionary such as Collins Cobuild Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, or another learner's dictionary for non-native users of English.