230246 Analyzing and Interpreting Literary Texts (S) (WiSe 2005/2006)

This course will introduce first-year students to the basics of literary studies - the tools of the trade, as it were. With the help of a course book and some other sources (see below), participants will be taught the methods necessary for text analysis and interpretation in the three main literary genres (poetry, drama and prose narrative), and they will receive advice concerning the techniques of scholarly work (doing research, giving presentations, writing term papers etc.). We will also discuss some theoretical approaches to literature.

Texts:

I will make some theoretical material and extracts from a variety of literary texts available throughout the semester, but please buy:

Michael Meyer, English and American Literatures. 2nd edition. Tübingen: Francke, 2005.

Please note that you can only register for this course in combination with my course "A Survey of British Literature"