LFU:online

Students will be made familiar with main periods, themes, subgenres and works from the history of the English novel. They will be encouraged to reflect on the medial status and specific properties of the novel in relation to other media. They will enhance their ability to analyze, contextualize and discuss works of narrative fiction from different periods and to critically reflect on relevant research.

Today, for many people 'the novel' is synonymous with 'literature', and novel reading is accepted as a sophisticated medial activity. This was not always the case – especially during the time of its formation as a major genre in the 18^th century, the novel was widely regarded as inferior or even dangerous. Why? Visit this course and find out!

This lecture provides a literary history of the English novel, from the late 17^th century up to the present day. It will introduce relevant periods, subgenres, themes and authors, sometimes using case studies to illustrate larger points. Historical and cultural contexts will be addressed. Attention will be paid to the development of novel reading as a specific cultural practice, in comparison to other medial activities (from reading poems to playing computer games). We will also discuss and apply methods of novel analysis.

Presentation, group work, discussion

Each slot will feature a lecture of ca. 1 hour and a group-work/discussion period where we apply the contents of the lecture to a concrete example. Please be prepared to do some reading at home (excerpts).

Written exam (on the contents of the lecture) and oral exam (on the core reading list)

Excerpts for preparation of the group work sessions will be made available on OLAT.

MA: none

Teacher Training Programme 2001: Positive completion of first part of studies (1. Studienabschnitt).

Due to substantial differences in the allocation of ECTS-Credits in various curricula (teacher training program - BA/MA English and American Studies), the requirements for this course vary. Information will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course.