SFE11520 English: American Literature (Spring 2025)

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Mandatory course in the One-year English Programme (full-time and part-time).
• Mandatory course in the 60 ECTS part of the Bachelor's Programme in Languages for students with English as one of their chosen languages.

Lecture Semester

• One-year English Programme: 2. semester (spring).

• Bachelor's Programme in Languages with English as one of the chosen languages: 2. or 4. semester (spring).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The student has

• knowledge and understanding of American literature

• knowledge of  literary periods, genres and themes in American literature 

• knowledge of the intellectual investigation processes practised in literature studies

Skills

The student

• has analytical and critical skills in his and her encounters with literary texts

• is capable of studying literary works in tke context of their history

• is capable of using the close reading technique as an important analytical tool in the literature field 

• preparing written assignments and taking part in discussions as part of the process of  analysing and interpreting American literary texts 

• is capable of using the MLA style of referencing

General competence

The student is capable of

• independent and critical thinking in the analysis of American literature

• performing a more critical analysis of written material to understand both direct and underlying content in written texts

• using research components from the internet and the library to complete written assignments

• using various digital tools in academic work

Content

The course places emphasis on developing in-depth reading skills for literary texts, as well as developing efficient tools for writing about literature.

The course is a wide-ranging review of the devolopment of American literature from the founding of the USA until the present, with a main focus on the twentieth century. The compulsory part of the syllabus includes novels, plays, works of fiction and poetry. The texts are studied from the perspective of the age and the society from which they emerged. 

Forms of teaching and learning

Teaching varies between online lectures, seminars, talks and activities in small groups. The students are expected to read the course material every week and take active part in online discussions and group assignments. Students are encouraged to study in groups where they can go through the literature and work together on assignments outside the scheduled teaching sessions. Each student is required to keep their webcamera and microphone turned on when participating in online classes.

Workload

Approx. 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• One individual written assignment with an extent of 3-4 pages. 

Required coursework must be approved before the student can sit the exam.

Examination

Individual written home exam (5 hours).

All aids permitted, except communication and collaboration between candidates.

Grade scale A-F.

Examiners

One external and one internal examiner or two internal examiners.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is vital in order for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. The course is evaluated every semester.

The results are considered by/in teacher groups, the head of studies and the local programme committee.

Literature

The current reading list for 2024 Spring can be found in Leganto