90583 - English Literature and Culture

Learning outcomes

The student- knows the core features (contents, methods and instruments) necessary for the in-depth analysis of English culture and literature; s/he is able to apply this knowledge when tackling a range of semiotically challenging texts; s/he is able to acquire higher-level cultural and literary knowledge and competences independently, and to apply them to a wide range of novel texts.

Course contents

Women and Fantastic Literature: Bodies, Monsters, and Other Worlds

The course examines the fantastic through the works of women writers from the nineteenth century to the present, examining how fantasy, Gothic fiction, horror, speculative fiction, and the weird have challenged conventional notions of gender and society. Through this analysis, students will investigate how the fantastic becomes a powerful tool for challenging the status quo and one possible way to make sense of current sociopolitical and ecological crises.

Combining literary analysis with feminist theory, ecocriticism and environmental humanities, the course aims at introducing students to contemporary debates while encouraging close reading and class discussion.

 

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME:

 

What is the Fantastic? The Female Gothic

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• "The Madwoman in the Attic"

 

Haunted Houses: Domesticity and Horror

• Shirley Jackson
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

 

Fairy Tales Rewritten

• The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
• White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link

 

Monsters and the Feminine: Metamorphoses 

• Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
• Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
• Monster Studies

 

Ghosts, Memory, Colonialism 

• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

 

Feminist Science Fiction

• Ursula K. Le Guin
• Octavia E. Butler

 

Eco-Gothic

Readings/Bibliography

[TENTATIVE]

 

Primary texts

• Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
• The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
• Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke
• The Bloody Chamber, Angela Carter
• White Cat, Black Dog, Kelly Link
• Chouette, Claire Oshetsky
• Nightbitch, Rachel Yoder
• Beloved, Toni Morrison
• Freshwater, Akwaeke Emezi

Secondary texts

• The Madwoman in the Attic, Sandra Gilbert e Susan Gubar
• Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers, J.E.S. Doyle

Teaching methods

Attendance and participation are mandatory (at least 70% of classes). Students are required to read the assigned readings before class each week. Class discussion is highly encouraged. The primary texts will also be analysed through the lens of the students' insights and feedback.

Assessment methods

The exam format will be announced during the course presentation.

 It is strictly forbidden to use AI during the exam. Any violation of this rule will be considered a serious breach of academic ethics. 

Evaluation grid

30-30L: excellent test that demonstrates very broad, thorough and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, a solid ability to apply theoretical concepts and an excellent command of exposition, as well as an excellent capacity for analysis, synthesis and elaboration of interdisciplinary connections

27-29: above average test that demonstrates precise and thorough knowledge of the subject matter, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, and capacity for analysis and synthesis, accurate and correct exposition

24-26: good test that demonstrates appropriate knowledge of the subject matter, a fair understanding of the application of theoretical concepts, and an articulate presentation of the subject matter

21-23: adequate test that demonstrates appropriate but not in-depth knowledge of the subject, only partial capacity to apply theoretical concepts, and an acceptable presentation of the content

18-20: barely sufficient test that demonstrates adequate but general knowledge of the subject matter, simple exposition, uncertainties in the application of theoretical concepts

Insufficient: test that does not demonstrate adequate acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter that is fragmentary and superficial, with errors in the application of concepts, and poor exposition

 

This module is part of the integrated examination Translation, Literature and Culture. The grade awarded for this module will be averaged with the grade obtained in the Translation for Publishing module.

 

Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact theUniversity service for students with disabilities and SLD at the earliest opportunity -- ideally before the start of the course:https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students. The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations will be offered during the course. They will also be available on Virtuale. The analysis of texts will be always enriched with existing literary criticism.

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Orsi