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| Semester | fall semester 2015 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Daniela Keller (daniela.keller@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Ali Smith's latest novel "How to Be Both" (2014) literally invites us to 'see' the world through different 'eyes' and draws an unusual connection between the past and the present through the object of a painting. Her writings explore and question various types of 'borders' between art forms and other concepts - an interest she has also expressed as guest director at this year's Brighton Festival (trailer: http://youtu.be/7CW3CsVNcyQ). Her stories 'cross borders' by embracing the supernatural with ghostly characters or by dealing with more worldly issues of social inequality. She 'crosses borders' by playing with the ambiguity of words or tapping the full potential of texts and combining them with images. We will analyse and interpret all these concerns in the context of the twenty-first century. Students will be asked to plan one session, to present their critical thoughts and lead a discussion. |
| Learning objectives | Students will learn about twenty-first-century fiction and criticism by exploring the texts of one contemporary British writer. They will refine their analytical reading skills, their ability to apply theory and form research questions. |
| Bibliography | Please purchase, read and bring to class: Smith, Ali. "How to Be Both". London: Penguin, 2015. Smith, Ali. "Artful". London: Penguin, 2013. (Excerpts) Smith, Ali. "The First Person and Other Stories". London: Penguin, 2009. (Excerpts) Smith, Ali. "Girl Meets Boy". Edinburgh: Canongate, 2008. Smith, Ali. "Hotel World". London: Penguin, 2002. |
| Comments | Further reading materials will be made available on ADAM. It is recommended that participants read all the texts before the beginning of term. Apart from the general course requirements, they might also be asked to hand in written assignments. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | Old BA curriculum (2005): This course may only be taken after successful completion of the first-year module "Learning about Literature". New BA curriculum (2013): 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 register by e-mail to daniela.keller(at)unibas.ch by September 7 as places are limited. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Introduction to Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul Refining Skills in Literature and Culture (Bachelor's degree subject: English (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance and active participation (see 'Inhalt') |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |