autumn 2019 ENG-1120 Introduction to American Studies - 10 ECTS

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 15 April for the autumn semester and 1 October for the spring semester.


Type of course

This course may be taken as a single course. A good command of oral and written English is recommended.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

A good command of oral and written English is recommended.

Application code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).


Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

ENG-1120 Liberty, Equality and Power: American Culture in Text and Film 10 stp

Course content

The course provides an introduction to American literature and culture. It represents a historical, highly selective survey course of American literature from colonial times to the present, with primary emphasis on texts from the Romantic Age to the present. Texts from the various periods are analyzed closely and discussed in their socio-cultural contexts. The course thus attempts to integrate the study of literature and culture. The major genres of literature are represented in the course, and it provides students with the basic methods and tools of textual analysis, designed to make them more proficient in close reading.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes: 

Knowledge:

  • of the history of American literature and culture
  • of different literary genres of American writing
  • of methods and concepts for the study of literary and cultural texts
  • of a variety of samples of fiction, poetry, and drama

Skills:

  • ability to explain one's ideas in a succinct, coherent manner and support them with close reading of texts
  • acquisition of advanced skills for the close reading of texts


Language of instruction and examination

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Teaching methods

4 hours of teaching for 13 weeks.

Quality assurance: All courses undergo a halfway evaluation once in a 3-year period at the bachelor's level. The Programme Board determines which programme options will be evaluated per year, and which courses will be evaluated by the students and the teacher per year.


Assessment

The following coursework requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam: 

Coursework requirements: Assessment of one essay (1200-1500 words) that focuses one or more of the texts on the reading list. In addition, attendance is required at 80% of the group discussion sessions scheduled for one class on most weeks (after the course registration closes). For distance students one additional written assignment replaces the 80% attendance requirement. Coursework requirements are evaluated with approved/not approved. 

The exam will consist of: A 6-hour written (digital) school exam in WISEflow.

Performance in the course will be assessed on an A-F grades scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-sit examination is offered in the event of an F grade. The deadline to register (in the Studentweb) for a re-sit examination is January 15th (for the autumn semester).


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  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: ENG-1120