American Literature: Translation, Adaptation, Interdisciplinarity - MA Seminar 3

Master's seminars

English language requirement - B2

The seminar will be devoted to American literature but in the context of broadly conceived problematics of translation. We will examine chosen translations between artistic media (e. g. film adaptations of literary works), between languages and between disciplines (history/cultural studies/literary studies).

The seminar will be devoted to American literature but in the context of broadly conceived problematics of translation. We will examine chosen translations between artistic media (e. g. film adaptations of literary works), between languages and between disciplines (history/cultural studies/literary studies).

The aim of the seminar is to familiarize students with critical (theoretical) approaches useful as tools for analyzing primary texts in students' MA thesis projects. We will discuss theoretical texts by representatives of approaches popular today and - most importantly - try to think of applications of theoretical concepts in students' theses. The texts will represent the following approaches: feminism, psychoanalysis, ecocriticism, Marxism, New Historicism, Ecocriticism, African American criticism, Animal studies.

Students' projects can be concerned with any period in American literature and can also analyze non-canonical texts and non-fiction. Projects related to gender/race/class/sexuality and boredom or addiction in US literature and culture are particularly encouraged.

Readings and films are picked individually, depending on the given run of the seminar and the students' interests. The basic general sources are:

Literart theory:

The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism

D. H. Richter (ed.), The Critical Tradition

Knowledge

The graduate will be able to:

K_W04 Characterize on an advanced level the principles of research design in literary and cultural studies with a special focus on the application of methods and tools in formulating research problems in the field of American literature and culture,

K_W05 Identify the notions and principles pertinent to intellectual property and copyright.

K_W06 Characterise economic, legal and other factors relevant for various kinds of professional activities related to the study programme.

Abilities

The graduate is able to:

K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the discipline of literary and cultural studies,

K_U02 Apply advanced research methodology within literary and cultural studies to analyze American literature and culture, respecting ethical norms and copyright law,

K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task in the field of American studies using the tools from literary studies and cultural studies,

K_U04 Analyze linguistic, literary, and cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical, and economic factors on an advanced level,

K_U06 Find information in various sources and critically assess its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project in the field of American studies,

K_U07 Use modern technology in the process of learning and communicating with academic teachers, colleagues, representatives of various institutions, and fellow participants in classes and projects, applying various channels and techniques of communication,

K_U11 Design one’s own path of development.

Social competencies

The graduate is ready to:

K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development,

In order to pass, you will need to submit subsequent chapters of your MA thesis on time. The chapters need to meet the requirements of the MA thesis.