The Danger of Literature - Literary Battles and the Freedom of Speech, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of this course, the student will have

• a basic knowledge of literary analytical terminology,
• familiarity with some works in the history of English literature that have caused controversy, and
• a basic understanding of the principles of the freedom and speech, in relation to literature.

Competence and Skills
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to

• analyze literary texts (narrative fiction, drama and poetry) with analytical terminology,
• reflect on the relation between some literary works and their cultural/historical context, and
• discuss the reception of a few literary works.

Judgment and Approach
Upon completion of this course, the student will have the ability to

• take a critical, analytical approach to English literary texts,
• problematize issues of reception and censorship, and
• draw conclusions of his or her own about the effect of literary works on a readership.

Main content of the course

In this course, students discuss literature and the freedom of speech in a historical perspective. Drawing on topics raised by current writers who are members of PEN international - an organization of writers defending the freedom of speech - students read literary works in English that have caused public debates or scandals. Students learn what literature is - analyzing poetry, prose and drama - and what literature does - reflecting on its impact on readerships.

Teaching methods

Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures (mainly podcasts), seminars, workshops, and assignments on Blackboard, both in group and individually.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Literary Battles and the Freedom of Speech I, 1.5 credits (Code: A001)
Oral presentation.

Literary Battles and the Freedom of Speech II, 6 credits (Code: A002)
Open-book exam.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Examination deadline
If the deadline for the examination is exceeded, the examiner will decide how the examination should be conducted and, when applicable, set the timeframe for it.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade for the course may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments should be submitted to the lecturer within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Literary Battles and the Freedom of Speech I
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Literary Battles and the Freedom of Speech II
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

On 27 February 2018, the Vice Chancellor decided that the grading scale A-F shall be applied on international courses and study programmes as from the autumn semester 2020.
(ORU

The final course grade is based on the grade of the examination Litterary Battles and the Freedom of Speech II, 6 credits. However, Pass (G) are required for a passing grade to be awarded for the full course.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements (cources labelled A2)

or

General entry requirements and also English B (cources labelled 2)

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform trhe students involved.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Morrison, Toni, ed. (2009)
Burn this Book - Pen Writers Speak out on the Power of the Word
Harper Collins

Additions and Comments

4 - 6 works from this list is chosen by the teacher:
Achebe Chinua, (1958) Things Fall Apart
Bradbury Ray, (1953) Fahrenheit 451
Gordimer Nadine Gordimer, (1981) July's People
Jong Erica, (1973) Fear of Flying
D.H. Lawrence (1915) The Rainbow, Penguin Classics, 2007
Morrison Toni, (1970) The Bluest Eye, Vintage Books, 1999.
Swift, Jonathan, Gulliver's Travels. Ed. Robert deMaria. Penguin Classics, 2003
Swift Jonathan, (1729) A Modest Proposal and Other Writings, Penguin Classics, 2009
Twain Mark, (1884) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Norton, 1998
Wilde Oscar, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Ed. Peter Ackroyd. Penguin Classics, 2000
Wilde Oscar, The Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays, Oxford University Press, 2008
Woolf Virginia, (1928) Orlando

Additional reading: English poetry and essays, 100 pages.