Course content - Learning outcome - Admission - Prerequisites - Overlapping courses - Teaching - Examination - Evaluation

Course content

The so-called ‘return to history’ of the last few decades within Anglo-American literary theory and scholarship – be it in the form of New Historicisim, Feminism, Gay and Queer Studies, Post-colonial Studies or the History of the Book – has also meant a ‘return to the author’, albeit in new ways. This course will investigate the historically variable roles of the author, how this figure has been culturally constituted and the different perspectives on how relevant the author has been for the interpretation of texts. We will be reading a selection of literary texts from the 18th century until today, by authors such as Dr. Johnson, the Brontës, and Joyce, Coetzee and Didion, writers who, in more or less direct ways, have inhabited and shaped various historical models of authorship. Alongside the study of these texts, we will be reading some of the most significant theoretical contributions to the field. During the course we will examine topics such as the prevailing interest in biographical information, the genre of biography, restrictions imposed upon the author, anonymity and pseudonymity, literary forgery, and, in relation to the historical construction of the author function, aspects such as copyright, censorship, economy, and the impact of new media technologies.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will have:

• acquired knowledge of the historical and contemporary role of authorship in Western societies;
• developed skills in literary interpretation and socio-cultural analysis;
• learned how to use historical sources and discussion of theoretical texts.

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

Formal prerequisite knowledge

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Admission to the master program in literature, LeP or other suitable master programs.

Overlapping courses

10 credits overlap with ENG4329 - The Return of the Author (discontinued).

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks, 20 hours in all. A minimum of 80% attendance is required, as well as contributions in the form of one oral presentation (pass/fail).

Access to teaching

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Examination

A term paper of 10 standard pages (topic to be decided between teacher and student).

All written papers must be accompanied by a declaration concerning cheating Obligatorisk erklæring vedr. fusk

Examination support material

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Language of examination

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English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Marks will be published on Studentweb no later than three weeks after the submission date/exam.

Explanations and appeals

You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.

Resit an examination

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.

Withdrawal from an examination

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Special examination arrangements

If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.