Marburg, Germany - Course Descriptions - Europe Through the Eyes of British Writers

Course Information

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Thematic structure:
This course focuses on the problem of some of the British writers’ views of Europe and European Literature starting from two premises. On the one hand the literary output of any given culture is embedded in the local social and political context reflecting history, traditions, aesthetics, etc., hence some kind of a key is needed in order to make its meanings and significance transparent. Secondly, one cannot recognize the European "universals" without examining their own selves and the way in which they perceive an apparently incomprehensible, different, alien culture and literature. Various British writers have been selected on the criterion of their notoriety and wide recognition. They have expressed their views on Europe and in their turn they have been subject to some form of European scrutiny, hence their work can be analyzed from a European perspective.

Owing to time limitations the course will rely mainly on highly appreciated authors whose most significant works are masterpieces of world literature. We do not intend either a comprehensive look on all British writers or a compendium of all their views on Europe and European Literature. British and Europe here refers not only to the cultural and literary bridge between the Albion and Europe, but also to all those places large or small in this world where cultural treasures and beauty are born in the love labours of their artists. The English language in its turn is just a linguistic means that has projected the epic development of a European Culture to the stage of World Culture.

Method:
A reader will be provided and texts distributed in class. Other background information on the history and writers' biography and oeuvre will be downloaded from the Internet.

Assessment:
Students wishing to gain credit will be asked to submit a short written piece of work on materials discussed in class and present it during a seminar.

Taught in week 1 and 2 of program.

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