Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Theory of Literature

• code 12299
• course 2
• term Semester 2
• type OB
• credits 3

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan

Head instructor

Dr. Marc SOGUES - msogues@uic.es

This course focuses on analyzing basic concepts of literary studies with special attention to the history of the theory of literature and literary criticism. Through theoretical and practical arguments, we will discuss the place that has occupied the literary reflection in the configuration of the canon and its present importance.

This subject aims to set the theoretical bases and create a specific language that serves to define scientifically the various concepts related to literary reflection over the centuries. The participation of students in the debates of literary aesthetics will be encouraged that have been especially concerned by writers and intellectuals in general in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

• E03 - Ability to appropriately use key concepts in the area of culture.
• E06 - Awareness of and respect for different points of view resulting from cultural and social diversity.
• E13 - To acquire knowlege of the general diachronic framework of the past.
• E14 - To develop the ability for critical analysis with regard to literary and artistic expression.
• E17 - To acquire knowledge of the situation in Europe from a comparative perspective.
• E22 - To acquire knowledge of and the ability to use data collection instruments (biliographic catalogues, inventory archives, documentary sources, electronic sources, etc).
• E23 - Ability to use computer resources and techniques to produce essays on cultural topics.
• E25 - Ability to communicate orally in one's own language and other languages using the terminology and resources accepted in the cultural framework of each language
• E26 - Ability to read and write texts in one's own language and other languages, as well as transcribe, summarise and categorise pertinent information.
• E27 - Ability to work in multicultural contexts.
• G01 - To analyse and interpret social and cultural environments to identify need, opportunities, weaknesses and strenghts..
• G03 - To search for and/or administer economic resources within the framework of an institution or company, or a cultural programmes, project or service.
• G04 - To know how to communicate, encourage and mediate between the various agents involved in a cultural project, programme or service.
• G08 - Ability to carry out research.
• G09 - Creativity, inititiative and entrepreneurial spirit.

• Acquisition in the field of literary studies from a historical, critical, rhetorical, theoretical and comparative perspective based on the study of different theories and schools, with their fundamental characteristics (textual and critical).
• Comprehension of concepts related to literary theory and criticism from a comparative point of view, reviewing historiographic questions.
• Analytical reading of the literary works of the program, taking into account the current literary models and styles in a certain historical and cultural context.
• Acquisition of a rigorous method of literary criticism and text commentary to define and raise problems, formulate hypotheses, apply appropriate methodologies to solve these problems and develop them arguably with the support of a technical bibliography.
• Reflection on the axes of literary debates that most preoccupied thinkers in universal literature, within the framework of tradition and the current literary horizon.
• Detection of constants by means of the comparative study of the different currents of thought and cultural traditions.
• Stimulation and aesthetic, emotional and intellectual enjoyment of literary works.
• Knowledge of the fundamental role of tradition in literary and cultural transfers.

1.- Introduction to Theory of Literature
2.- Classical antiquity in the Modern Age
3.- Critical trends of the s. XIX
4.- Russian formalism
5.- Stylistics
6.- New Criticism
7.- Structuralism
8.- Esthetics of the Reception
9.- Conclusions

In this subject, theoretical sessions will be combined with seminar sessions with training activities. Based on the contents given and the readings that will be given in class, in the practical sessions, texts will be analyzed and discussions will be discussed.

• Final exam (75%)
• Papers, oral presentations and active participation in the debates (25%)

The exam will be carried out on the official date assigned. Oral works and presentations will be done at the end of the course, before the end of the classes and on a topic previously awarded by the teacher.

Aguiar e Silva, V.M. de (1986): Teoría de la literatura, Madrid, Gredos, 1972.

Brioschi F. i Di Girolamo, C. (1996): Introducción al estudio de la literatura, Barcelona, Ariel.

Cabo Aseguinolaza, F. i do Cebreiro M. (2006): Manual de Teoría de la Literatura, Madrid, Castalia.

Ceserani, R. (2004): Introducción a los estudios literarios, Barcelona, Crítica.

García Berrio, A. y Huerta Calvo, J. (1992): Los géneros literarios: sistema e historia, Madrid, Cátedra.

Garrido Domínguez, A. (1997): Teorías de la ficción literaria, Madrid, Arco/Libros.

Garrido Gallardo, M.A. (ed.) (1988): Teoría de los géneros literarios, Madrid, Arco/Libros.

Hamburger, K. (1995): La lógica de la literatura, Madrid, Visor.

Hernadi, P. (1978): Teoría de los géneros literarios, Barcelona, Bosch.

Kayser, W. (1992): Interpretación y análisis de la obra literaria, Madrid, Gredos.

Llovet, J. et al. (2005) (2012): Teoría Literaria y Literatura Comparada, Barcelona, Ariel.

Mayoral, J.A. (1999): Pragmática de la comunicación literaria, Madrid, Arco/Libros.

Segre, C. (1985): Principios de análisis del texto literario, Barcelona, Crítica.

Villanueva, D. (coord..) (1994): Curso de teoría de la literatura, Madrid, Taurus.

Wellek, R. i Warren, A. (1993): Teoría literaria, Madrid, Gredos.