230456 Introduction to Literary Theories: Reading Late Victorian Fiction (S) (WiSe 2016/2017)

Literary Theories open up perspectives for the analysis and intepretation of texts. The aim of this seminar is to introduce students to the concepts, models and methods of the most important and influential modern literary theories. We will discuss only two works of literature, from the late-Victorian period (Robert Louis Stephenson's "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" and Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"), but we will read a whole range of theoretical texts. The theories we will cover include Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Gender Studies (from Feminist Criticism to Masculinity and Queer Studies), Post-Colonial Studies, Discourse Theory, New Historicism and Cultural Studies. We will apply the theories to the two texts, discussing how the choice of theoretical perspective influences our reading of literary texts.

Requirements for participation, required level

Students who wish to register for this course ought to have completed at least BM 2.
Please only register for this class if you are prepared to read two (short) novels befor the beginning of the semester, PLUS a theoretical text every week in preparation of the sessions throughout the semester.

Bibliography

Please buy your own copy of "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" and "Heart of Darkness" (ideally in the Penguin Classics editions). The theoretical texts will be made available for download via the "Lernraum" at the beginning of the semester. Please note that we will begin the discussion of the two novels in the second week of the semester. Therefore, you ought to read them during the term break before the semester starts.