This is mainly a survey course on drama written in English, where students will become familiar with the evolution of dramatic language, devices and forms. In addition, students will be introduced to the language of cinema. Both codes (the dramatic and the filmic) will be studied and compared in tasks where students will focus on the analysis of film adaptations of literary works written in English. Students are required to read and study five full plays and extracts from the British, Irish and American dramatic traditions ranging from the Renaissance period to the present.
This course examines popular literature in English with a focus on gothic, terror and horror literature as well as speculative fiction. It is a course aimed at students who enjoy reading. The language of instruction is English.
At the end of the course students must be able to analyze the historical, social and political dynamics which foster the development of popular culture; identify the themes manifested in popular texts and culture; discuss ways popular genres affect the target audiences, reflect the concerns of their time and affect mainstream literature. Students must also become familiar with key theoretical concepts informing genre literature: they will be able to identify typical traits of gothic and horror fiction and the speculative mode ito get a greater insight of its wide appeal.
La asignatura analiza un corpus de literatura popular o de género en lengua inglesa, centrándose para ello en dos áreas concretas: textos góticos y de terror y ficción especulativa (distopías). El curso está destinado a estudiantes aficionados a la lectura y se imparte íntegramente en lengua inglesa
The aim of this course is to equip students with knowledge of a number of critical approaches to the
study of literary texts, ranging from the so-called Formalisms, through Post-structuralism and
Deconstruction, Marxist Criticism, New Historicism and Cultural Materialism, to Psychoanalytic
Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Postcolonial Criticism, Ecocriticism and Intertextuality. Thus, the
ultimate goal is to provide students with theoretical tools and practical skills to carry out a rigorous
reading of literary texts pertaining to different genres (poetry, fiction and drama). In this regard,
students will become familiar with a general overview of critical approaches with a view to acquiring
analytical tools and methods that they can apply to a close reading of selected literary texts. Hence
the predominant focus of the course is eminently practical.
The specific objectives of this course are:
1.To offer students a chronological overview of critical approaches to the study of literary texts.
2. To equip students with the essentials of a variety of critical and theoretical approaches in the field
of literary studies.
3. To provide students with critical thinking skills for the study of literary texts from different
theoretical vantage points.
4. To instill in students a sense of curiosity and interest in reading literary texts (poetry, fiction and
drama) for pleasure and personal self-fulfilment.
5. To cultivate students' creativity by giving them opportunities to carefully read and respond to
literary texts in multiple formats.
The main objective of this course is to help students achieve a degree of competence in English corresponding to the C1.1 level (proficient user) of the CEFRL (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The focus will be on the understanding and use of more complex grammatical structures of English as well as on the five communicative skills: written and oral comprehension (reading and listening) and written and oral production and interaction (writing and speaking).
At the C1.1 level, students will be independent users of English who will be able to:
- They can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
- They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
- They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
- They can produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.