230089 A Survey of British Literature (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

This course will introduce students to the history of British literature from the Middle Ages until today. We will trace the development of the form and key characteristics of drama, poetry and prose fiction. We will examine some major authors and influential works from the various epochs of literary history and also ask why these particular writers and works are influential and canonical. A special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between changes in literature and changes in the contexts of social, political, ideological and economic history.
Students should expect to read a selection of short primary texts every week. Additional reading to social and historical contexts from the Norton Anthology is highly recommended.

Requirements for participation, required level

Students should be well-acquainted with the basics of literary studies; they should be able to analyse and interpret Anglophone literary texts by drawing on the genre-specific analytical categories. This knowledge and expertise is usually acquired through the successful completion of Basic Module 2.
Students enrolled in FsB 2022: successful completion of Basic Module 1 (LPT).

Bibliography

The textbook for this course is the Norton Anthology of English Literature, preferably 10th or 11th edition, e.g. Shorter 11th Edition in 2 volumes (ISBN: 978-1-324-06287-5) or Major Authors in 2 volumes (ISBN: 978-0393603088).