ENG4167 ¨C Linguistics and literature in English

Course content

Linguistics is the study of the structure of language and how language is used. Literature involves the use of language, sometimes in ways that push language to its limits.

This course explores ways that theoretical tools from linguistics can be applied to understand how literary texts are interpreted, and, conversely, ways in which literary texts provide interesting data and problems for theories of language and its use.

Key questions for this course include:

Are literary texts and their interpretations significantly different from other kinds of language use, and if so how?

Can linguistic theories explain the open-ended nature of literary texts and the active role of the reader?

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will

? be familiar with the application of linguistic theories to the analysis of literary texts

? have knowledge of theoretical accounts of figurative speech and poetic effects

? have insight into the contested notion of the meaning of a literary text

? have advanced skills in scholarly writing that applies one or more linguistic theories to literary texts

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.

The course is aimed at both language and literature students. All that is required is interest in both linguistic theory and the study of literature, and knowledge of one of them.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with ENG2167 ¨C Linguistics and literature in English.

Teaching

The course is taught for 11 weeks of the semester, with a two hour seminar per week: 22 hours in all.

Obligatory activities:

• Students are required to hand in one paper of an acceptable standard by a set deadline during the semester to be allowed to submit the term paper. Read more about guidelines for compulsory activities and about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you must attend a minimum of 7 out of 11 seminars. The requirement is absolute. Attendance at 11 out of 11 seminars is strongly encouraged. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up the work you have missed.?

  The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

  In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.

  Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The assessment of the course is based on a term paper of approximately ten standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). This does not include references and bibliography. In the evaluation, both content and language are taken into account.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.