School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Course Syllabus

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:
- the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
- the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
- the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:
- gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
- stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
- communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of this course, the student will have
- a basic knowledge of literary analytical terminology,
- familiarity with some works in the history of English literature that have caused controversy, and
- a basic understanding of the principles of the freedom and speech, in relation to literature.

Competence and Skills
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
- analyze literary texts (narrative fiction, drama and poetry) with analytical terminology,
- reflect on the relation between some literary works and their cultural/historical context, and
- discuss the reception of a few literary works.

Judgment and Approach
Upon completion of this course, the student will have the ability to
- take a critical, analytical approach to English literary texts,
- problematize issues of reception and censorship, and
- draw conclusions of his or her own about the effect of literary works on a readership.

In this course, students discuss literature and the freedom of speech in a historical perspective. Drawing on topics raised by current writers who are members of PEN international - an organization of writers defending the freedom of speech - students read literary works in English that have caused public debates or scandals. Students learn what literature is - analyzing poetry, prose and drama - and what literature does - reflecting on its impact on readerships.

Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures (mainly podcasts), seminars, workshops, and assignments on Blackboard, both in group and individually.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

In order to obtain the final course grade Pass with Distinction (VG), the grade VG is required for 6 credits.

The grades will be translated to the ECTS grading scale.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Standard university admission requirements.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

The course is given in English.


Transitional Provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform trhe students involved.

Required Reading

4 - 6 works from this list is chosen by the teacher:
Undervisande lärare väljer 4-6 verk från följande lista:

Achebe Chinua, (1958) Things Fall Apart
Bradbury Ray, (1953) Fahrenheit 451
Gordimer Nadine Gordimer, (1981) July's People
Jong Erica, (1973) Fear of Flying
D.H. Lawrence (1915) The Rainbow, Penguin Classics, 2007
Morrison Toni, (1970) The Bluest Eye, Vintage Books, 1999.
Swift Jonathan, (1729) A Modest Proposal and Other Writings, Penguin Classics, 2009
Twain Mark, (1884) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Norton, 1998
Wide Oscar, The Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays, Oxford University Press, 2008
Woolf Virginia, (1928) Orlando

Additional reading: English poetry and essays, 100 pages

See this Course Syllabus as PDF