Drama and Literary Theory 1800-2000

The course offers an introduction to drama, poetics and literary theory within the modern literary canon. The students learn fundamental analytical approaches to texts and genres, and they get insights into how social, cultural and aesthetic contexts have shaped modern literature into our present time. The course has two modules. In the drama course, we read works by Ibsen, Chekhov, Beckett, and others. The poetics and literary theory course introduces the main schools within modern literary theory, and we study how thinkers such as Shklovsky, Foucault and Freud have theorized about the potential of literature to articulate human experiences.

The candidate will after successfully completing this course have KNOWLEDGE about:

- the outlines of Western literary theory from Romanticism until today

- of essential dramatic works since Romanticism

- key concepts of literary theory

- different schools of literary theory

The candidate will after successfully completing this course be SKILLED in:

- employ her/his acquired knowledge in literary analysis

- presenting his/her knowledge of theory in writing.

The candidate’s GENERAL COMPETENCY includes:

- an understanding om the modern drama in its historical and cultural connection

- a basic understanding of the function of literary theory.

Lectures and group sessions including written assignments. 1-2 obligatory activities, including one approved written assignment (4-5 pages) with feedback.