IDENTIFYING DATA

2023_24

Subject (*)

LITERATURE AND SOCIETY

Code

12274009

Study programme

Bachelor's Degree in English Studies (2009)

Cycle

1st

Descriptors

Credits

Type

Year

Period

Basic Course

First

Language

Català

Department

English and German Studies

Coordinator

BELLOT , ANDREA ROXANA

E-mail

andrearoxana.bellot@urv.cat

Lecturers

BELLOT , ANDREA ROXANA

Web

General description and relevant information

<p>The main objective of the subject <strong><em>Literature and Society</em></strong> is to engage students in the analytical and comparative aspects of diverse literary texts in order to determine the mutual interaction between these texts and society. The course will discuss a wide array of texts written in English where language, ideology, and culture play a major role. Relevant contemporary literary and critical theories will be introduced. </p><div><br /></div>

Competences

Type A	Code	Competences Specific
	A2	Demostrar que coneix els corrents teòrics i metodològics de la literatura i la crítica literària.
Type B	Code	Competences Transversal
	CT1	Use information in a foreign language effectively.
	CT7	Apply ethical principles and social responsibility as a citizen and a professional.
Type C	Code	Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes

Type A	Code	Learning outcomes
	A2	Comprèn tant la importància estètica de la literatura com el seu paper cultural, social i polític. Comprèn la literatura com un espai de representació i de debat ideològic i de construcció de discursos socials. Comprèn la importància social i política de la literatura en relació amb les preocupacions i els ideals estètics.
Type B	Code	Learning outcomes
	CT1	Utilitzar informació en llengua estrangera d'una manera eficaç.
	CT7	Students are aware of the inequalities and the discrimination caused by gender and other factors, and understand the reasons that account for them. Be able to identify major environmental problems. Recognise and reflect on social needs and problems, and get involved in improving the community. Recognise the ethical and deontological concepts in their field of expertise, show an ability for criticism and dialogue, and respect the rules and regulations that members of the university community must abide by.
Type C	Code	Learning outcomes

Contents

Topic	Sub-topic
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION The main objective of the subject "Literature and Society" is to engage students in the analytical and comparative aspects of diverse literary texts in order to determine the mutual interaction between these texts and society. The course will discuss a wide array of texts written in English where language, ideology, and culture play a major role. Relevant contemporary literary and critical theories will be introduced.	STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: -Perform a close reading on diverse texts written in English -Reflect on the interaction between literature(s) and society(ies) -Be familiar with contemporary literary and critical theories -Be aware of the inequalities and discrimination caused by nationality, gender, race, social class, among other factors -Develop a critical mind -Recognize and reflect on social needs and social problems -Consider The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
SECTION I: WOMEN AND/IN LITERATURE	Main Topics and Theories: Language and identity, language and power, domestic violence, women and writing, gender and nation, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (#5 Gender Equality: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5#), immigration, integration, patriarchy, language and subjectivity, sex work, motherhood, mental illness Primary Texts for this Section: “No Speak English” Sandra Cisneros (short story) "Orange Horses" Maeve Kelly (short story) “The Yellow Wall-paper” Charlotte Perkins Gilman (short story) “In a Window” Dionne Brand (short story) “There was Once” Margaret Atwood (short story)
SECTION II: AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE	Main Topics and Theories: Racism, racial segregation, human rights, Black Lives Matter (BLM), black culture, black literature, immigration, multiculturalism, integration, otherness, social class, patriarchy, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (#10 Reduced Inequality https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10), Primary Texts for this Section: "I have a Dream" Martin Luther King (speech) "Rivers of Blood" Enoch Powell (speech) “Their Eyes Were Watching God" Zora Neale Hurston (fragment from novel) “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space” Brent Staples (essay) “Passing” Nella Larsen (novel)
SECTION III: ANIMAL FARM (GEORGE ORWELL)	Main Topics and Theories: Violence, politics, national identity, nationalisms, colonialism, cultural colonisation, war and literature, political ideology, social and economic systems, Marxism Primary Texts for this Section: "Animal Farm" George Orwell (novel)
SECTION IV: QUEER LITERATURE	Main Topics and Theories: LGBTQIA+ (https://gaycenter.org/about/lgbtq/), Gendered identities, Patriarchy, Otherness, Feminism, Queer Theory, Gay and Lesbian literature, intercultural competence Primary Texts for this Section: “Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament” Willa Cather (short story) “A Supermarket in California” Allen Ginsberg (poem) “Dr Frankel, Where are you?” Allen Young (memoir) “The Husband” Mary Dorcey (short story) “A Lesbian Appetite” Dorothy Allison (short story)

Planning

Methodologies :: Tests

Competences

(*) Class hours

Hours outside the classroom

(**) Total hours

Introductory activities

Seminars

134

Personal attention

Extended-answer tests

Oral tests

CT1

(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies

Methodologies

	Description
Introductory activities	In-depth description of the contents of the course paying particular attention to historical elements and literary trends
Seminars	In-class presentations and discussions of the most relevant features related to the list of topics specified in the Contents section
Personal attention	Students are welcome to use my visiting hours to discuss individually, in pairs or in groups any aspects related to the contents of the course.

Personalized attention

Description

I will be happy to help students with any questions or issues they may have. Please let me know in advance, either by email or in class, if you would like to schedule a meeting. Feel free to email me as well to share your concerns or ask for assistance.

Assessment

Methodologies

Competences

Description

Weight

Extended-answer tests

2 exams with open questions about the texts and the theories dealt with in class
1 oral presentation

35% + 35% of the final grade

Oral tests

CT1

Students will have to give an ORAL PRESENTATION in class (in groups)

30% of the final grade

Others

Other comments and second exam session

Important Notes:

Coursework Completion: It is essential for students to complete all components of the course evaluation to be eligible for a passing grade. Failure to complete any part may result in an incomplete or failing grade for the module.

Continuous Assessment: To successfully pass this module, it is mandatory to complete all components of the course evaluation. The continuous assessment will consist of various tasks, such as tests, essays, presentations, and other assignments, which will be graded throughout the duration of the course.

Final Exam Exemption: Students who achieve a passing grade (5/10) in all course work will be exempted from taking the Resit Exam in June.

Fixed Assessment Dates: The dates for tests, essays, presentations, and other assessments are predetermined and cannot be changed. It is the responsibility of students to plan accordingly and ensure their availability during these assessment periods.

Sources of information

Basic
	All materials required to follow the course regularly will be posted on Moodle. Alternatively, students will be given information on how to obtain those materials at the beginning of the course.
Complementary

Recommendations


Other comments
Students are expected to come to class with their readings done. Regular class attendance is a requirement. Class participation is highly encouraged. This course might offer students the opportunity to engage in an international virtual exchange through partner universities, following the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) framework. More information regarding this will be provided at the start of the semester.

(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.