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79363-01 - Proseminar: Passing in Fiction (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Andrew Shields (andrew.shields@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This third-semester proseminar course focuses on the representation of passing in fiction from the 1920s and the 1930s in the United States. In the works in question, characters with African-American backgrounds "pass" as whites. With "The Great Gatsby", we will consider claims that Jay Gatsby's mother was African-American and that he was passing as white. |
| Learning objectives | In-depth study of the works under consideration and of the representation of passing in fiction. |
| Bibliography | The following books are required for the course: - Nella Larsen, "Passing", Norton Critical Edition, 978-0-393-97916-9 - Jessie Redmon Fauset, "Plum Bun", Modern Library, 978-0-593-73195-6 - Fannie Hurst, "Imitation of Life", Duke University Press, 978-0-8223-3324-1 - F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby", Norton Critical Edition, 978-0-393-65659-6 Students should purchase copies of the books before the first session of the course. Copies will be available at the Labyrinth bookstore, Nadelberg 17, Basel. If possible, please read the books before the semester starts. A course pack of secondary literature will be provided. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | It is strongly recommended that this course is taken only after the successful completion of the "Introduction I + II: Literary Studies" proseminars. |
| Course application | Please sign up via services.unibas.ch. The number of participants in each section is strictly limited to 20. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 14.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 21.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 28.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 05.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 12.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 19.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 26.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 02.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 09.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 16.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 23.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 30.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 07.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Monday 14.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 106 |
| Modules |
Module: Introduction to Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance and active participation. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |