The Power of Word: literature – society – ideology II

Master's seminars

Interest in literary studies. Passing the first term of the seminar.

The main topic of this MA seminar is the social functioning of literature. It includes issues related to ways of representing reality in the works of fiction, and the possible influence of literature on the society, which it achieves mainly by means of creating specific images.

The MA seminar aims at preparing students for writing a research thesis devoted to the social functioning of literature. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the analysis of the ways reality is represented and created in works of fiction, reflections about factors that influence this process, and examination of the means of literature’s impact on the society.

The second term of the seminar focuses mainly on the issues related to the methods of scientific research, particularly in the field of the literary studies. It includes explaining the approach to structuring MA thesis in order to make it easier for students to structure and plan their own work. In addition, basic principles and methods of the literary analysis are recalled and practiced, with special attention given to the methodological framework presented in the first term. It should help students to begin writing their MA thesis and finish the term with the first draft of one chapter.

1. A guide to writing a diploma thesis (e.g. A. Dudziak, A. Żejmo, Redagowanie prac dyplomowych. Wskazówki metodologiczne dla studentów, Warszawa 2008; U. Eco, Jak napisać pracę dyplomową. Poradnik dla humanisty, Warszawa 2007).

2. E. Auerbach, Mimesis. Rzeczywistość przedstawiona w literaturze Zachodu, tłum. Z. Żabicki, Warszawa 2004.

3. P. Bourdieu, Reguły sztuki. Geneza i struktura pola literackiego, tłum. A. Zawadzki, Kraków 2007.

4. R. Escarpit, Rewolucja książki, tłum. J. Pański, Warszawa 1969

5. R. Felski, Literatura w użyciu, tłum. E. Rajewska, E. Kraskowska, Poznań 2016.

6. J. Franczak, Literatura i władza. Rekonesans, w: Kulturowa teoria literatury 2: Poetyki, problematyki, interpretacje. Red. T. Walas, R. Nycz, Kraków 2012, s. 439-492.

7. M. Gnieciak, Piekło w komunałce. Analiza praktyk mieszkaniowych opisanych w „Mistrzu i Małgorzacie” Michaiła Bułhakowa, „Kultura i Społeczeństwo” 2017, nr 61(1), s. 207–230.

8. E. Krawczak, Literatura i społeczeństwo. Wokół problematyki socjologii literatury, „Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska, sectio I: Philosophia, Sociologia” 2001, nr 4, t. XXVI, s. 47–56.

9. Literatura i władza. Związki na gruncie rosyjskim w XVIII-XXI wieku, red. M. Dąbrowska, P. Głuszkowski, K. Roman-Rawska, Warszawa 2017.

10. Literatura a władza. Doświadczenie polskie i rosyjskie, red. M. Dąbrowska, P. Głuszkowski, Warszawa 2021.

11. F. Moretti, Wykresy, mapy, drzewa: abstrakcyjne modele na potrzeby historii literatury, tłum. T. Bilczewski, A. Kowalcze-Pawlik, Kraków 2016.

12. J. Rancière, Polityka literatury, tłum. J. Franczak, w: Socjologia literatury. Antologia, Kraków 2015, s. 350-374.

13. K. Roman-Rawska, Nowy realizm w rosyjskim polu literackim po 1991 roku. Literatura i polityka, Warszawa 2020.

14. W kręgu socjologii literatury. Antologia tekstów zagranicznych. Wstęp, wybór, opracowanie A. Mencwel, Warszawa 1977.

15. В поисках новой идеологии: социокультурные аспекты русского литературного процесса 1920-1930-х годов, ред. О.А. Казнина, Москва 2010.

16. Ю.М. Лотман, Сожетное пространство русского романа, в: Его же, В школе поэтического слова: Пушкин. Лермонтов. Гоголь, Москва 1988, с. 325-348 (available online).

17. А.И. Рейтблат, Как Пушкин вышел в гении. Историко-социологические очерки о книжной культуре Пушкинской эпохи, Москва 2001.

18. А.И. Рейтблат, От Бовы к Бальмонту и другие работы по исторической социологии русской литературы, Москва 2009.

19. Б.М. Эйхенбаум, Литературный быт, в: Его же, О литературе, Москва 1987, с. 428-436. (available online)

20. Article cluster Русская литература середины XIX века и социальное воображаемое, „НЛО” 2023, nr 4 (182).

21. Individual reading proposals, depending on the needs and interests of students.

KNOWLEDGE

Student:

- knows and understands basic categories and research methods used to analyze and interpret a literary work;

- knows Russian literary terminology;

- had knowledge about the basic principles of organizational and methodological aspects of the academic research.

SKILLS

Student:

- has adequate research skills in analyzing and interpreting literary works, and uses proper literary terminology;

- is able to apply the selected methodological approach to analyze social aspects of literary works;

- is able to use proper Russian literary terminology when talking and writing about literature and its social functioning.

SOCIAL COMPETENCES

Student:

- is aware of the meaning and importance of literature in its relation with society, feels their responsibility for preservation of the European cultural and literary heritage;

- is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills, can complete and master them;

- is able to define the priorities which will let them achieve their goal, plan their work, and work systematically;

- respects the rules of copyright.

Evaluation of one chapter of the MA thesis. Preparation for the classes and active participation.

30 hours (1 ECTS) – seminar

120 hours (4 ECTS) – student’s own work

The student has the right to two unexcused absences, each subsequent one requires justification. Exceeding excused and unexcused absences by 50% of classes may result in failing the course.

The conditions for passing the course on the resit exam are the same as on the ordinary exam.

If it is not possible to conduct classroom classes, classes will be conducted using distance communication tools, most likely Google Classroom and others recommended by the University of Warsaw.

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