LFU:online

Students will familiarize themselves with methods of narrative fiction. They will enhance their ability to perform close readings, select and critically discuss relevant research, and they will train how to combine these tasks to produce a scholarly analysis and argument.

The genre of dystopia is currently (once again) among the most popular modes in fiction. It seems that we cannot get enough of gloomy imaginings about worlds that have gone wrong. In this seminar, we will explore how dystopian fiction resonates with contemporary fears and hopes, and we will engage with some critical theory that gauges the potential, but also the pitfalls of dystopian thinking and writing. Our main reading will encompass three novels: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), John Lanchester’s The Wall (2019) and Naomi Alderman’s The Power (2016).

The course ties in with the 1-day workshop “The Handmaid’s Tale Revisited”, which will be held on Friday, June 2^ndand will include poster presentations on the part of the students. Attendance of this workshop is part of the course requirements, so please make sure to save this date.

Discussion, group work, poster presentation, writing/research assignments

Oral (group presentations and moderation of a session, active participation in class) and written (short assignments during the semester, poster presentation, final paper)

Please buy: Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) 

John Lanchester, The Wall (2019)

Naomi Alderman, The Power (2016)

A reader with additional (mandatory) material will be made available at the beginning of the semester.

BA 2015: positive completion of compulsory module 10

Teacher Training Programme BA 2015: positive completion of compulsory module 13

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.

Please note that attendance of the one-day workshop "The Handmaid's Tale Revisited" on Friday, June 2nd, is a mandatory requirement for this course.