ENG4472 – The Literary History of Sexuality
Course content
The object of the course is to study the interrelation between literature, history, gender, and sexuality during a specific period of American and/or British cultural life.
The theoretical approach is a combination of new historicism, narrative theory and gender theory. We will consider literary texts not just as passive reflectors of some outlying reality, but as active participants in ongoing cultural debates and shapers of sexual ideology. Films may also be part of the syllabus.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- learned to analyze narrative structures in fiction, drama, and/or film and how they shape the perception of reality, particularly the representation of gender and sexuality.
- acquired an introduction to three important theoretical approaches to literature: new historicism, narrative theory and gender studies.
- gained a detailed understanding of how gender and sexuality were perceived in the United States and/or Great Britain during a specific historical period.
- received advanced training in scholarly writing.
Admission
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.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
The course has a capacity of 15 students. ILOS will not provide additional capacity if there are more applicants.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks, 20 hours in total.
Attendance is obligatory at least 8 out of 10 seminars. Additional absences must be justified by documentation to the exam adviser.
Students are expected to participate actively in the seminar discussions, which are the basis for teaching. There wil also be oral presentations. Students prepare by studying the primary texts and completing assignments they are given in class or that are posted in Fronter. All handouts in connection with the course will be available in Fronter.
At various points during the semester there are reading weeks without teaching to be used for individual study and work on assignments.
Examination
The assessment of the course is based on a term paper of approximately ten pages (4000 words). The topic for the term paper will be determined by the teacher and student together.
Students are required to submit the term paper at an appointed time. Beforehand, students will be given an opportunity to submit a draft of the term paper and receive individual feedback on both the form and content of the draft.
The term paper is the basis for the grade in this course.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit assignments in Inspera.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
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.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.