Cultural Identity and Cultural Encounters in Literature

The course will cover literary representations of cultural encounter(s) and cultural identity. The course will more specifically discuss a selection of fiction from older times and the present that thematises cultural encounters, as well as migration and identity and multicultural societies. We will mainly focus on texts written in the Scandinavian languages, but relevant works from other languages may also be used. In addition to the fiction, the curriculum will consist of relevant literary- and cultural theory, for example on post colonialism, modernity and identity.

Candidates will have obtained the following qualifications after successfully completing this course:

Knowledge

• understand the connection between literature and cultural identity

Skills

• use literary and cultural theory to understand processes of integration
• discuss literature that thematise cultural meetings and the multicultural society
• reflect on literary and cultural perceptions of 'Norwegianness'.

Seminars. Active and independent student participation is expected.

Obligatory assignments: Up to 2 approved written assignments (determined by lecturer). Approved obligatory assignments are valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Obligatory assignments from a previous semester may be approved by the department.