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Introduction to Literary Theory

General data

Course ID: 3020-BA1WLI
Erasmus code / ISCED: 09.201 The subject classification code consists of three to five digits, where the first three represent the classification of the discipline according to the Discipline code list applicable to the Socrates/Erasmus program, the fourth (usually 0) - possible further specification of discipline information, the fifth - the degree of subject determined based on the year of study for which the subject is intended. / (0231) Language acquisition The ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education) code has been designed by UNESCO.
Course title: Introduction to Literary Theory
Name in Polish: Wstęp do literaturoznawstwa
Organizational unit: Department of General Linguistics, Sign Language Linguistics and Baltic Studies
Course groups: (in Polish) Filologia bałtycka - stacjonarne 1. stopnia - przedmioty obowiązkowe - 1 r.
(in Polish) Filologia bałtycka - wszystkie przedmioty
ECTS credit allocation (and other scores): 6.00 Basic information on ECTS credits allocation principles:
  • the annual hourly workload of the student’s work required to achieve the expected learning outcomes for a given stage is 1500-1800h, corresponding to 60 ECTS;
  • the student’s weekly hourly workload is 45 h;
  • 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of student work needed to achieve the assumed learning outcomes;
  • weekly student workload necessary to achieve the assumed learning outcomes allows to obtain 1.5 ECTS;
  • work required to pass the course, which has been assigned 3 ECTS, constitutes 10% of the semester student load.
view allocation of credits
Language: Polish
Type of course:

obligatory courses
Prerequisites (description):

The aim of the classes is:

- presenting the scope and the mutual connections between poetics and literary theory;

- introducing the basic issues of literary criticism;

- introducing the analysis of individual aspects of the literary work.
Mode:

Classroom
Short description:

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the methodology of the analysis of literary texts, the presentation of the functions of the literary work, the problems of its construction and composition, style and stylization. The typology of verbal structures and poetical syntax is also introduced.
Full description:

The aim of the classes is:

- presenting the scope and the mutual connections between poetics and literary theory;

- introducing the basic issues of literary criticism;

- introducing the analysis of individual aspects of the literary work;

- introducing the functions of the literary work and the problems of its construction and composition, style and stylization;

- introducing the typology of verbal structures and poetical syntax.

The main method is a lecture based on multimedial presentation (analysis of texts).

During classes, students can use AI tools, e.g. to collect materials, analyze the state of research and create bibliographies. The use of AI tools for interpretation purposes, to create written statements or to develop text fragments is prohibited.

Bibliography:

1. A. Kulawik, Poetyka. Wstęp do teorii dzieła literackiego, Kraków 1997 (lub inne).

2. A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Podręcznik, Kraków 2006.

3. W. Szkłowski, Sztuka jako chwyt, [w:] A. Burzyńska,

M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006 lub [w:] Teoria badań literackich za granicą, Kraków 1966-1986, t. II, cz. 3.

4. W. Propp, Morfologia bajki, "Pamiętnik Literacki" 1968, 59/4, s. 203-242.

5. R. Jakobson, Poetyka w świetle językoznawstwa, [w:]

A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006 lub [w tegoż:] W poszukiwaniu istoty języka, T. II.

6. M. Bachtin, Słowo w dziele Dostojewskiego, [w tegoż:] Problemy poetyki Dostojewskiego, Warszawa 1970, s. 275-403 lub [w:] Poetyka 2 (red. D. Ulicka), s. 108-210.

7. C. Brooks, Herezja parafrazy, [w:] A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

8. J. Łotman, Problem znaczenia w tekście artystycznym, [w tegoż:] Struktura tekstu artystycznego, Warszawa 1984 lub [w:] A. Burzyńska, M.P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

9. M. Heidegger, Cóż po poecie w czasie marnym?, [w tegoż:], Ścieżki lasu, Warszawa1985.

10. H.-G. Gadamer, Tekst i interpretacja, [w tegoż:] Język i rozumienie, Warszawa 2003, s. 99-141 lub A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

11. P. Ricoeur, Symbol daje do myślenia, [w tegoż:], Egzystencja i hermeneutyka, Warszawa 1985.

12. E. Husserl, Idea fenomenologii, wykład III i IV, [w tegoż:], Idea fenomenologii. Pięć wykładów, Warszawa 1990, s. 53-77.

13. R. Ingarden, Z teorii dzieła literackiego, [w:] A. Burzyńska, M.P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

14. W. Iser, Apelacyjna struktura tekstów, [w:] A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

15.U. Eco, Nadinterpretowanie tekstów, [w:] U. Eco, R. Rorty, J. Culler, Ch. Brooke-Rose, Interpretacja i nadinterpretacja, Kraków 1996, s. 51-75.

16. H. Bloom, Strach przed kontaminacją, [w tegoż:], Lęk przed wpływem, Kraków 2002, s. 9-44.

17. Ph. Lejeune, Pakt autobiograficzny, [w tegoż:] Wariacje na temat pewnego paktu, Kraków 2001, s. 21-56.

18. H. White, Znaczenie narracyjności dla przedstawiania rzeczywistości, [w tegoż:] Poetyka pisarstwa historycznego, Kraków 2000 (II wyd. 2010), s. 135-170.

19. E. Said, Orientalizm.Wprowadzenie, [w tegoż:] Orientalizm, Poznań 2005, lub [w:] A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków 2006.

20. S. Fish, Jak rozpoznać wiersz, gdy się go widzi, [w tegoż:] Interpretacja, retoryka, polityka, pod red. A. Szahaja, Kraków 2002.
Learning outcomes:

On completion of the course the student:

KNOWLEDGE

- knows and understands the connections of Baltic philology with other fields of science and humanistic disciplines

- knows and understands the terminology, theories and methodologies of research in the field of literary studies

- knows and understands literary terminology in Polish and a selected foreign language

- knows and understands the methods of interpretation and analysis of a literary text

SKILLS

- can search, analyze, evaluate, select and use information from written and electronic sources

- can read, interpret and analyze literary works, taking into account the historical and cultural context

- can use the basic theoretical approaches, research paradigms and concepts specific to literary studies

- can read, interpret and analyze scientific texts and correctly apply the learned terminology of literary studies

- can cite the main theses of researchers of literary history and theory, according to their relevance

ATTITUDES/SOCIAL COMPETENCES

- is ready to properly assess the importance of humanistic reflection for the shaping of social bonds
Assessment methods and assessment criteria:

Attendance control (a student is entitled to 2 absences in a semester, each subsequent absence should be counted in a way agreed with the teacher; absence in 50% of the classes results in failing to get a credit), evaluation of the current preparation and active participation in the classes.

Classes conclude with a written examination in the form of a test covering (1) theoretical and literary issues, and (2) poetics (versology and stylistics).
Internships:

-

Classes in period "Academic year 2024/25" (past)

Time span: 2024-10-01 - 2025-06-08
Selected timetable range:
Go to timetable
Type of class:
Seminar, 60 hours, 26 places more information
Coordinators: Alicja Kitlasz, Inesa Szulska, Joanna Tabor-Książyk
Group instructors: Inesa Szulska
Students list: (inaccessible to you)
Credit: Course - Examination
Seminar - Grading
Type of course:

obligatory courses
Mode:

Classroom
Short description:

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the methodology of the analysis of literary texts, the presentation of the functions of the literary work, the problems of its construction and composition, style and stylization. The typology of verbal structures and poetical syntax is also introduced.
Full description:

Familiarizing students with the basics of theoretical and literary knowledge - terminology, types of research activities. Thematic scope of the lecture: the structure of a literary work, knowledge of literary types and genres and aesthetic categories; acquainting students with the scientific and methodological foundations of literary text analysis; identification of linguistic and stylistic components, thematic components and genological aspects of a literary work, recognizing the functions of elements in a work, distinguishing styles, conventions and poetics. The aim of the workshop exercises complementing the theoretical part will be to improve in practice the scientific analysis and interpretation of literary works as well as methods of independent work with the text.

Student workload:

- contact classes - 2 ECTS,

- independent preparation for each exercise (reading scientific texts) - 2 ECTS,

- preparing for the colloquium and written exam- 2 ECTS

TOTAL 6 ECTS
Bibliography:

1. Arystoteles, Poetyka, trans. and edited by H. Podbielski, Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich - Wydawnictwo; Warszawa: De Agostini Polska, 2006 [fragments]

2. M. Bachtin, Słowo w dziele Dostojewskiego, [w tegoż:] Problemy poetyki Dostojewskiego, Warszawa 1970, 275-403 or [in:] Poetyka 2 (edited by D. Ulicka), 108-210.

3. Ćwiczenia z poetyki, edited by A. Gajewska, T. Mizerkiewicz, Warszawa: PWN, 2006.

4. U. Eco, Nadinterpretowanie tekstów, [in:] U. Eco, R. Rorty, J. Culler, Ch. Brooke-Rose, Interpretacja i nadinterpretacja, Kraków 1996, 51-75.

5. S. Fish, Jak rozpoznać wiersz, gdy się go widzi, [in:] Interpretacja, retoryka, polityka, edited by A. Szahaj, Kraków 2002.

6. R. Ingarden, Z teorii dzieła literackiego, [in:] A. Burzyńska, M.P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków: Wydawnictwo "Znak", 2006.

7. Kompozycja i genologia: ćwiczenia z poetyki, pod red. nauk. A. Gajewskiej, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, 2009.

8. D. Korwin-Piotrowska, Poetyka: przewodnik po świecie tekstów, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 2011.

9. A. Kulawik, Poetyka. Wstęp do teorii dzieła literackiego, Kraków: Antykwa, 1997 (or other)

10. Ph. Lejeune, Pakt autobiograficzny, [w tegoż:] Wariacje na temat pewnego paktu, Kraków 2001, 21-56.

11. Słownik rodzajów i gatunków literackich, edited by G. Gazda, Warszawa: PWN, 2020.

12. Słownik terminów literackich, edited by J. Sławiński, 2 ed., Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich1988 - or ed. next.

Classes in period "Academic year 2025/26" (in progress)

Time span: 2025-10-01 - 2026-06-07
Selected timetable range:
Go to timetable
Type of class:
Seminar, 60 hours, 26 places more information
Coordinators: Zofia Mitan-Gawryszewska, Inesa Szulska, Joanna Tabor-Książyk
Group instructors: Inesa Szulska
Students list: (inaccessible to you)
Credit: Course - Examination
Seminar - Grading
Type of course:

obligatory courses
Mode:

Classroom
Short description:

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the methodology of the analysis of literary texts, the presentation of the functions of the literary work, the problems of its construction and composition, style and stylization. The typology of verbal structures and poetical syntax is also introduced.
Full description:

Familiarizing students with the basics of theoretical and literary knowledge - terminology, types of research activities. Thematic scope of the lecture: the structure of a literary work, knowledge of literary types and genres and aesthetic categories; acquainting students with the scientific and methodological foundations of literary text analysis; identification of linguistic and stylistic components, thematic components and genological aspects of a literary work, recognizing the functions of elements in a work, distinguishing styles, conventions and poetics. The aim of the workshop exercises complementing the theoretical part will be to improve in practice the scientific analysis and interpretation of literary works as well as methods of independent work with the text.

Estimated number of hours a student must devote to achieving the defined learning outcomes for the course:

class participation – 60 hours (2 ECTS)

ongoing preparation for classes (reading scientific texts) – 60 hours (2 ECTS)

preparation for the colloquium and written exam – 2 ECTS

TOTAL = 180 hours (6 ECTS)
Bibliography:

1. Arystoteles, Poetyka, trans. and edited by H. Podbielski, Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich - Wydawnictwo; Warszawa: De Agostini Polska, 2006 [fragments]

2. M. Bachtin, Słowo w dziele Dostojewskiego, [w tegoż:] Problemy poetyki Dostojewskiego, Warszawa 1970, 275-403 or [in:] Poetyka 2 (edited by D. Ulicka), 108-210.

3. Ćwiczenia z poetyki, edited by A. Gajewska, T. Mizerkiewicz, Warszawa: PWN, 2006.

4. U. Eco, Nadinterpretowanie tekstów, [in:] U. Eco, R. Rorty, J. Culler, Ch. Brooke-Rose, Interpretacja i nadinterpretacja, Kraków 1996, 51-75.

5. S. Fish, Jak rozpoznać wiersz, gdy się go widzi, [in:] Interpretacja, retoryka, polityka, edited by A. Szahaj, Kraków 2002.

6. R. Ingarden, Z teorii dzieła literackiego, [in:] A. Burzyńska, M.P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków: Wydawnictwo "Znak", 2006.

7. Kompozycja i genologia: ćwiczenia z poetyki, pod red. nauk. A. Gajewskiej, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, 2009.

8. D. Korwin-Piotrowska, Poetyka: przewodnik po świecie tekstów, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 2011.

9. A. Kulawik, Poetyka. Wstęp do teorii dzieła literackiego, Kraków: Antykwa, 1997 (or other)

10. Ph. Lejeune, Pakt autobiograficzny, [w tegoż:] Wariacje na temat pewnego paktu, Kraków 2001, 21-56.

11. Słownik rodzajów i gatunków literackich, edited by G. Gazda, Warszawa: PWN, 2020.

12. Słownik terminów literackich, edited by J. Sławiński, 2 ed., Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich1988 - or ed. next.

Classes in period "Academic year 2026/27" (future)

Time span: 2026-10-01 - 2027-06-11
Selected timetable range:
Go to timetable
Type of class:
Seminar, 60 hours, 26 places more information
Coordinators: Zofia Mitan-Gawryszewska, Inesa Szulska, Joanna Tabor-Książyk
Group instructors: Inesa Szulska
Students list: (inaccessible to you)
Credit: Course - Examination
Seminar - Grading
Type of course:

obligatory courses
Mode:

Classroom
Short description:

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the methodology of the analysis of literary texts, the presentation of the functions of the literary work, the problems of its construction and composition, style and stylization. The typology of verbal structures and poetical syntax is also introduced.
Full description:

Familiarizing students with the basics of theoretical and literary knowledge - terminology, types of research activities. Thematic scope of the lecture: the structure of a literary work, knowledge of literary types and genres and aesthetic categories; acquainting students with the scientific and methodological foundations of literary text analysis; identification of linguistic and stylistic components, thematic components and genological aspects of a literary work, recognizing the functions of elements in a work, distinguishing styles, conventions and poetics. The aim of the workshop exercises complementing the theoretical part will be to improve in practice the scientific analysis and interpretation of literary works as well as methods of independent work with the text.

Estimated number of hours a student must devote to achieving the defined learning outcomes for the course:

class participation – 60 hours (2 ECTS)

ongoing preparation for classes (reading scientific texts) – 60 hours (2 ECTS)

preparation for the colloquium and written exam – 2 ECTS

TOTAL = 180 hours (6 ECTS)
Bibliography:

1. Arystoteles, Poetyka, trans. and edited by H. Podbielski, Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich - Wydawnictwo; Warszawa: De Agostini Polska, 2006 [fragments]

2. M. Bachtin, Słowo w dziele Dostojewskiego, [w tegoż:] Problemy poetyki Dostojewskiego, Warszawa 1970, 275-403 or [in:] Poetyka 2 (edited by D. Ulicka), 108-210.

3. Ćwiczenia z poetyki, edited by A. Gajewska, T. Mizerkiewicz, Warszawa: PWN, 2006.

4. U. Eco, Nadinterpretowanie tekstów, [in:] U. Eco, R. Rorty, J. Culler, Ch. Brooke-Rose, Interpretacja i nadinterpretacja, Kraków 1996, 51-75.

5. S. Fish, Jak rozpoznać wiersz, gdy się go widzi, [in:] Interpretacja, retoryka, polityka, edited by A. Szahaj, Kraków 2002.

6. R. Ingarden, Z teorii dzieła literackiego, [in:] A. Burzyńska, M.P. Markowski, Teorie literatury XX wieku. Antologia, Kraków: Wydawnictwo "Znak", 2006.

7. Kompozycja i genologia: ćwiczenia z poetyki, pod red. nauk. A. Gajewskiej, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, 2009.

8. D. Korwin-Piotrowska, Poetyka: przewodnik po świecie tekstów, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 2011.

9. A. Kulawik, Poetyka. Wstęp do teorii dzieła literackiego, Kraków: Antykwa, 1997 (or other)

10. Ph. Lejeune, Pakt autobiograficzny, [w tegoż:] Wariacje na temat pewnego paktu, Kraków 2001, 21-56.

11. Słownik rodzajów i gatunków literackich, edited by G. Gazda, Warszawa: PWN, 2020.

12. Słownik terminów literackich, edited by J. Sławiński, 2 ed., Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich1988 - or ed. next.
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