Space/Place in North-American Literature
Objectives
Deepen the knowledge of North American Contemporary Literature through the study of the representation of space/place, both real and fictional. Acquire theoretical knowledge on Ecocriticism and Geocriticism. Deepen the knowledge about the contexts related to literary texts. Develop research skills appropriate to the degree and scope of the unit Acquire skills to produce theoretical written work on a topic resulting from the research carried out.
General characterization
Code
02107542
Credits
10.0
Responsible teacher
Isabel Maria Lourenço de Oliveira
Hours
Weekly - 3
Total - 280
Teaching language
English
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
- Buell, L. & R. J. Schneider (eds), (2000). Thoreau's Sense of Place. Essays in American Environmental Writing. University of Iowa Press.
- Manzanas, A. M. and J. Benito, (2014). Occupying Space in American Literature and Culture. Static Heroes, Social Movements and Empowerment. N. Y.: Routledge.
- Tally, R. T. (Ed.). (2017). The Routledge Handbook of Literature and Space. N. Y.: Routledge.
- Warf, B. and S. Arias (Eds.). (2009). The Spatial Turn: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. N.Y.: Routledge.
- Westphal, B. (2011). Geocriticism: Real and Fictional Spaces, trans. Robert T. Tally Jr., N. Y.: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Cresswell, T. (2004). Place. A Short Introduction, Blackwell Publishing.
Teaching method
The seminars are of a theoretical-practical nature, promoting a strong participation on the part of the Master's students. The practical component includes students' oral interventions and the commented analysis of theoretical, literary and filmic texts meanwhile provided by the teacher for each session. The teacher will also guide the research aimed at preparing the final essay through tutorials.
Evaluation method
Método de Avaliação - Oral and written presentation on one or more of the theoretical texts. Oral presentation on one or more literary works, as well as active participation in class discussions(50%), Final written research essay of 15-20 pp.(50%)
Subject matter
The syllabus will be changed every two years. Possible topics, among others: the space of the road; of war; of the Portuguese-American diaspora; of the city. Space/Place in Contemporary American Fiction: the wilderness 1. Space and place: definitions and problems; Introduction to Ecocriticism and Geocriticism studies: the "Spatial Turn" 2. The importance of Space in the American framework of mind: the specific case of the wilderness 3. Representations of the wilderness: past and present 4. The real and fictional space: the American West and its multiple literary representations.
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: