ML2GF-Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Alice Christensen
Email: a.r.christensen@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module will explore a number of key literary texts that engage the Fantastic mode of literary representation. The module aims to promote critical awareness of the ways in which French, Hispanic, Italian and German literary traditions adapted and transformed the Fantastic narrative so that it spoke to a number of specific issues such as the advances in science and technology, the changing roles of women, the pressures of modernisation, the impact of psychoanalysis, and fears related to changes brought about by colonisation, the political structure of the Nation-state, and the economy. Texts will be read in the original language if the student is taking that language to degree level, and in English translation if not.

Aims:
This module is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of a wide range of literary texts that can be ascribed to the Fantastic mode. A series of lectures will be devoted to enhance the students’ understanding of the themes available in Fantastic literature. Particular attention will be devoted to the aesthetics of the Fantastic and therefore students will develop an understanding of Gothic, the grotesque, the supernatural, and the uncanny, and how these categories are used in the select key texts.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the cultural debates that are reflected in the selected texts


• Show an ability to use these debates to inform close critical analysis of the selected texts


• Develop an understanding of the comparative dimension of the literary phenomena analysed in class


• Understand the implications of different literary forms for reading


• Engage critically with ideas presented in seminars and secondary materials


• Research, organise and articulate a scholarly critical argument in writing

Additional outcomes:
Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. Students will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources in a critically informed manner.

Outline content:

After two introductory lectures where the historical context and the critical and theoretical background will be discussed, students will read a number of short stories and short novels that are chosen for their exemplarity and relevance to the tradition of the Fantastic narrative. Texts will be read in the original language if the student is taking that language to degree level, and in English translation if not.

The texts will be normally chosen from, but are not limited to, this list:

German stream: E. T. A. Hoffman, 'Der Sandmann' ('The Sandman'); Sigmund Freud, 'Das Unheimliche' ('The Uncanny').

Italian stream: Camillo Boito, 'Un Corpo' ('A Body'); Iginio Ugo Tarchetti, selection from his ‘Fantastic Tales’

French stream: Either: Honoré de Balzac, 'La peau de chagrin' ('The Magic Skin'); Guy de Maupassant, 'Le Horla' ('The Horl'a); or: Jules Verne, 'Voyage au centre de la terre' ('Journey to the Centre of the Earth'); or Auguste de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, 'L’Ève Future' ('Tomorrow’s Eve');

Spanish and Latin American stream: Jorge Luis Borges, 'El Aleph’ ('The Aleph’); Javier Marías, ‘No más amores’ ('No more love’) and ‘Gualta’ (‘Gualta’);

Global context:

This is a team-taught module and it will be delivered through a series of lectures and seminars. Students are required to do preparatory reading.Ìý

Students may also undertake an academic placement, through which they will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills gained in studying for this module in a professional context outside the University.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This is a team-ta