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ENG4321 - Fantasy Literature

Course content

This course analyzes six novels covering the last 200 years of the development of the English fantasy novel. The course will focus on the analysis of the fantasy novel as a separate genre; what are its characteristics and in what ways does it differ from other genres or subgenres? What critical criteria and what analytical tools are relevant and useful in our attempt to evaluate and understand these epics? The seminar will also attempt to find out why (some) works within this genre are so popular today.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you will have:

• acquired a good general knowledge of the genre and of the world of fantasy literature and be trained in identifying motifs and ideas that may help to define fantasy literature as a genre.
• developed skills in analyzing texts, structures and narrative techniques.
• learned to understand texts in relation to the social, political and cultural context in which they have been written.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 10 weeks, 20 hours in all.

Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%).

All students must give at least one oral presentation (pass/fail) on a given topic to be able to take the exam. Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the two consecutive semesters when the course is given.

Criteria for access to teaching resources

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.

Exam information

The exam consists of a term paper of 10 standard pages which may later form a starting point for the MA-thesis.

Assessment and grading

The results can be found at the StudentWeb within three weeks of the completed exam.

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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