A PG-level introduction to the theory of Comparative Literature, this course is one of two which will be available to students in any literature-culture PGT programme in the College of Arts. This course will provide the historical and theoretical background to the study of Comparative Literature and can be seen as preparation for further study on any optional Comparative Literature courses, including Comparative Literature in Practice in Semester 2.

Weekly 2-hour seminar for 11 weeks.

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are:  

■ Individual reflective study diary (1,000 words) - 10%

■ 20-minute individual conference-type presentation (end of Semester 1) to be developed into the essay - 20%

■ 3,500 word essay plus 500 word reflective appendix to be submitted at the end of week 2 of Semester 2 -70%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ Presentation: Choice between live or pre-recorded presentation (audio or video) / Powerpoint with substantial presentation notes.

■ Assessed writing: There is no alternative to the assessed study diary nor to the essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

The aims of this course are to:

■ Introduce students to the discipline of Comparative Literature and to the appraisal and use of different comparative methodologies

■ Familiarise students with key terms and concepts in Comparative Literature

■ Prepare students to engage with secondary literature and theory in Comparative Literature and cognate disciplines

■ Equip students with the intellectual and methodological tools to identify productive research avenues and develop an argument using comparative criticism and methodologies

Intended learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students will be able to:

■ Situate Comparative Literature among the disciplines, assess its key critical methodologies and identify intellectual and methodological problems involved in working within a comparative framework

■ Demonstrate a deeper grasp of the key debates in the discipline of Comparative Literature, their implications, and applicability in a relevant context

■ Articulate in oral and written form their intellectual position in response of a critical or theoretical text encountered during the course, assessing its effectiveness, implications, and contribution to the field

■ Develop research questions and sustained arguments that make use of comparative methodologies