English: Islands in Western literature

The course is offered as a free-standing course.

The requirement for admission to the course is a Bachelor's degree including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or the equivalent in a foreign degree, and English, level 2 or English 6, alternatively IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 575.

In the course, mainly English-language literary works are studied, together with their cultural, social and political contexts, with a focus on islands as a theme in Western literary history, as well as current research and theories in the field. The course literature highlights questions about spatiality, globalism, geopoetics and ecology in connection with literary depictions of islands. The material includes works in English or in English translation.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• give an account of main characteristics in the thematic and symbolic depiction of islands in Western literature from antiquity until present time;
• outline outline how norms, culture, religion, ethics and social conditions may shape and influence literary expression in this field;
• account for the main theories that have been used to analyse islands as a literary theme, particularly geopoetics and ecocriticism;

Competence and skills

• critically and independently apply literary terminology and theories in connection with the course material;
• produce close readings and discussions of texts with advanced critical and analytical ability;

Judgement and approach

• assess how texts and theories on climate change describe the interplay between natural environment, living conditions and literary depictions.

The teaching is conducted in the form of seminars. The course can be offered on campus and online.

Language of instruction: English

All learning objectives are assessed in the form of oral presentations and written assignments.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). For the grade Pass with distinction on the course, this grade is required on all written assignments.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Equality aspects should be taken into account in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.

To follow a web-based course, students must have access to a computer, web camera and stable broadband connection.