Course: Chapters from Modern American Literature

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Course title Chapters from Modern American Literature
Course code KAA/KAL3
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Janebová Markéta, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Livingstone David, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Siedloczek Marian, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Roztočil Tomáš, Mgr.
  • Dvořáková Šárka, Mgr.
  • Woock Elizabeth Allyn, Mgr. PhD.
  • Peprník Michal, prof. PhDr. Dr.
Course content
Curriculum: The end of the world has been a persistent topic in multiple genres throughout history, ranging from religious prophecies and political propaganda to dystopian literature, adventure stories and fantasy fiction and, sadly, also to scientific research and visions of ecological catastrophe. In the seminar we will discuss various literary works from the 20th and 21st century. Among the novels we will read, there may be John Wyndham?s The Day of the Triffids, John Brunner?s The Sheep Look Up, Kurt Vonnegut?s Galapagos, and Emily St. John Mandel?s Station Eleven. I am open to suggestions ? within limits, e.g. there will be no Zombie apocalypses in this seminar. It is quite possible that we will also watch one or two movies.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 15 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 65 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 20 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
KAL3, winter semester2025/26, The End is Nigh: Apocalyptic Literature, prof. Dirk Vanderbeke, block course. Dates: 16-17.10.2025 6.-7.11.2025 11.-12.12.2025 (2 sessions on Thursdays 15-18.15, 2 sessions on Fridays 9.45-13.00) Venue: Room 2.25 (Meeting room - "zasedací místnost děkanátu", underneath the English dept.) Intended audience: BA and MA students. Only students who have taken the Introduction to the Study of Literature (or an equivalent) are eligible. Curriculum: The end of the world has been a persistent topic in multiple genres throughout history, ranging from religious prophecies and political propaganda to dystopian literature, adventure stories and fantasy fiction and, sadly, also to scientific research and visions of ecological catastrophe. In the seminar we will discuss various literary works from the 20th and 21st century. Among the novels we will read, there may be John Wyndham?s The Day of the Triffids, John Brunner?s The Sheep Look Up, Kurt Vonnegut?s Galapagos, and Emily St. John Mandel?s Station Eleven. I am open to suggestions ? within limits, e.g. there will be no Zombie apocalypses in this seminar. It is quite possible that we will also watch one or two movies. The texts will be provided before the beginning of the semester. Requirements: Reading, attendance, active participation. Credits will be obtained by writing a short term paper (6-8 pages). The use of AI is not permitted.

Prerequisites
- Successful completion of KAA/UL00 (or an equivalent course) - Solid knowledge of the English language (B2+) - Interest in interdisciplinarity and genre literature

Assessment methods and criteria
Essay, Analysis of Creative works (Music, Pictorial,Literary)

- Successful completion of KAA/UL00 - Solid knowledge of the English language (B2+) - Completing all assigned reading and viewing - Physical presence in class - Participation in class discussions - final paper
Recommended literature
  • Cresswell, Tim. (2004). Place: A Short Introduction. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
  • Gillis, John R. (2004). Islands of the Mind: How the Human Imagination Created the Atlantic World. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2020) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): English Philology (2024) Category: Philological sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -