Literature, text and culture in the classroom

The course offers students approaches to using literature and other texts as cultural resources in language learning and teaching. The course will cover a variety of genres emphasizing the formative aspects of literature and other texts in their role in teaching language and culture. To demonstrate the role of literature in the development of reading skills, the course will explore various methods of promoting reading comprehension. Reading a variety of texts will also contribute to increased cultural competence in language learning. This will include the consideration and application of literary research methodologies to develop intercultural and multicultural understanding.

Knowledge

The student has

• an advanced understanding of the value of literature, texts, and culture in language learning
• a strong understanding of different types of fiction and non-fiction texts in a variety of genre and media
• thorough understanding of how intercultural awareness contributes to cultural understanding

Skills

The student has

• thorough skills in writing academic texts in which the use of critical thinking and analysis, the application of research, and the effective use of sources are central
• advanced skills in presenting and adapting texts and literature in teaching situations to promote linguistic, cultural and communicative literacy and competence

General competence

The student

• has advanced insight into the importance of culture in language learning, from a historical perspective to the current emphasis on intercultural and multicultural competence
• can master relevant terminology related to working with literature and culture
• is able to reflect critically on, and justify choices of, texts and teaching methodologies

Course will include lectures, discussions, group work, research, reading and writing texts and oral presentations.