LFU:online

Students will be made familiar with some main periods, themes, genres and works from Anglophone from the early modern age until today. They will be encouraged to reflect on the relations between literary developments and socio-political contexts, with special attention paid to the role of space. They will enhance their ability to analyze, contextualize and discuss literary works of different genres.

Houses and their different social and cultural functions, especially their connection with the concept of ‘home’, have played a prominent role at different times in literary history and in different genres. This lecture will offer an overview and present some of the most intriguing examples.

We will, for example, explore the symbolic significance of the country house, from its use in 17^th-century poetry to its role in the novel of manners (e.g. the work of Jane Austen) and its resurgence in film of the late 20^th an early 21^st centuries. We will also take a close look at the scary houses of the gothic tradition, from its emergence in the 18^th century to the horror movies of today. Special attention will be paid to the role of the house in feminist and in postcolonial literature, two traditions that have long been interested in the home as a site where social hierarchies materialize and power struggles are played out in everyday settings. Last but not least, we will ask how literature has responded to the new significance of the home in the recent pandemic (e.g. in phenomena such as the “theatre of lockdown”).

The lecture ties in with the interdisciplinary conference “Geschichte/n des Wohnens: Kulturen, Krisen, Utopien“ that will be held at Innsbruck University from Jan 24-27, 2024.

Presentation, group work, discussion

Each slot will feature a lecture of ca. 70 minutes and a partner 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 from primary literature).

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

Excerpts for preparation of the discussion 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.