- Knowledge of current research in discourse analysis and literary studies, with specific reference to the notion of (inter-)discursivity and discourse analysis;
- Ability to apply theoretical insights critically to particular cases and to formulate questions for research in the field.
|
|
This seminar focuses on the comparative study of literature as a site for the production of knowledge and ways of being in the world. How does literature relate to other discourses (e.g. politics, philosophy, law) and other forms of knowledge (e.g. in the social and natural sciences)? And what are the tools and concepts available for studying this relationship? Furthermore, this seminar will reflect on literature and literary studies as distinct yet interrelated forms of knowledge production.
Starting from the Foucauldian notion of "discursive formations", this seminar offers an introduction in different discourse-analytical and sociocritical approaches to the study of literature and culture. These theories start from the presupposition that every discourse is constitutively related to other discourses. Thus, “inter-discursivity” is to discourse as “intertextuality” is to text. In addition to an overview of the critical theory of (inter-)discursivity, the seminar also introduces students to current trends with literary studies that exemplify its interdiscursive nature (e.g., new materialism, posthumanism, animal studies).
This seminar is a compulsory part of the Research MA Comparative Literary Studies; and is an elective for students in the following Research master programmes: Gender Studies; Media and Performance; Religious Studies .
Career orientation
This course serves as preparation for a PhD program in the Humanities, as well as non-academic careers, by training students in the following transferable skills: critical thinking and writing, discourse analysis, communication and presentation skills, peer-review and advanced language skills.
|
 |
|