English: Scholarly Writing in Literary Theory and Criticism

The overall aim of the course is to prepare students to write a degree thesis in literature at the graduate level. On completion of the course students will be able to:

• reflect on and practice, both in writing and orally, important aspects of the literary research process
• reflect on the implications of methodological and theoretical perspectives
• identify and reflect on different types of scholarly writing in literary theory and criticism, and the strategies of argumentation that they employ
• analyse, evaluate and problematise the scholarly work of others
• communicate and argue, both in writing and orally, for their own interpretations of literary, critical and theoretical texts in clear, correct and appropriate academic English.

The course consists of in-depth study and practice of the literary research process. The main aim of the course is to facilitate the development of the necessary theoretical and methodological understanding of how scholarly work is produced, which is the basis for writing the degree thesis. In particular, the course focuses on the early stages of the research process. This includes articulating a relevant research question, selecting a theoretical and methodological approach, as well as searching for, critically evaluating and processing relevant secondary sources in academic writing. The course also focuses on developing the students‘ ability to establish the degree of originality of research, as well as how to present work in progress and how to provide constructive criticism.

The course is examined through continuous assessment of active seminar participation and written assignments.

The course consists of obligatory seminars. All teaching is conducted in English.

The Swedish grades U–VG.

Replaces EN3014 and EN3065.