This course is a companion course to the mandatory literary theories course, 'Introduction to Comparative Literature'. It examines comparative scholarship from the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will read short literary examples (or extracts from longer ones) alongside studies and interpretations of these works. These studies may be strictly culturally comparative in a traditional sense or they may be interdisciplinary, intermedial or otherwise exemplary of modern Comparative Literature scholarship. On occasion, students will study a text from various interpretative methods. 

11 x 2hr seminars as scheduled on MyCampus

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Commentary (1,000 words) 20%
Essay (4,000 words) 80%.

The course aims to:

■ Introduce students to a range of primary and secondary texts drawn from different cultures, periods, genres and media

■ Acquaint students with theoretical readings on comparative literary trends, fields and approaches

■ Prepare students to make a close reading of primary texts as a fundamental skill of literary analysis

■ Equip students to identify, critique and apply diverse theories and methods in the comparative analysis of primary texts

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

■ Identify major trends, fields and approaches in comparative literary studies

■ Make a close reading of primary texts, identifying key elements of narrative structure, genre and theme for further analysis

■ Select, assess and deploy appropriate methods in the comparative interpretation of primary texts

■ Present in effective written form a comparative critical analysis of selected primary texts

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.