2025
Contemporary English Literature I
Name: Contemporary English Literature I
Code: LLT11301M
9 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/234 hours
Scientific Area:
Literature
Teaching languages: Portuguese, English
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
To investigate questions of personal, national and cultural identity in contemporary literature, underpinned by
the notion of place and space and its interactions with society and the self;
To know and to understand the role of literature in the formation of contemporary culture;
To understand the contemporary novel in the context of British culture and society, including the theoretical
approaches that informed and still inform it;
To critically think about the creative process;
To analyse literary texts using appropriate critical terminology and with reference to relevant historical and
critical contexts;
To develop transferable advanced competences and to produce solid arguments in relation to complex
debates and to the proposed materials, and of detailed critical analysis about a variety of texts and documents,
showing, thus, not only an advanced literacy but also research and communication competences.
the notion of place and space and its interactions with society and the self;
To know and to understand the role of literature in the formation of contemporary culture;
To understand the contemporary novel in the context of British culture and society, including the theoretical
approaches that informed and still inform it;
To critically think about the creative process;
To analyse literary texts using appropriate critical terminology and with reference to relevant historical and
critical contexts;
To develop transferable advanced competences and to produce solid arguments in relation to complex
debates and to the proposed materials, and of detailed critical analysis about a variety of texts and documents,
showing, thus, not only an advanced literacy but also research and communication competences.
Contents
1. Definition of modern and contemporary literature: for an ethics and an aesthetics of modernity;
a. Literature as a reflex of culture;
b. Narrating the nation;
c. The reinvention of literary paradigms;
d. The exhaustion of concepts;
2. New forms of understanding the literary creation of the self and of the world: modes of innovation and
experimentation;
a. The nature of identity;
8. The role of gender and class;
b. The notion of place, the limits of knowledge and the nature of consciousness: constitutive themes of the
modern and post-modern self.
a. Literature as a reflex of culture;
b. Narrating the nation;
c. The reinvention of literary paradigms;
d. The exhaustion of concepts;
2. New forms of understanding the literary creation of the self and of the world: modes of innovation and
experimentation;
a. The nature of identity;
8. The role of gender and class;
b. The notion of place, the limits of knowledge and the nature of consciousness: constitutive themes of the
modern and post-modern self.
Teaching Methods
The taught curricular unit is based on in-class seminar sessions, prepared according to previous readings that
will raise debate and encourage dialogue about relevant topics of the syllabus and the full understanding of
pertinent questions regarding the theme proposed. Hence, the autonomous work of the students is highly
recommended as their autonomy regarding research and the development of their capacity of critical analysis.
Lectures by guest speakers about a specific topic of the syllabus might also occur. During the semester students will prepare individual oral presentations as a means of continuous assessment, which also integrates essays, written commentaries and analysis of literary
texts in the light of the proposed paradigms. Continuous assessment will be complete with 2 written works: one critical review (40%) and an essay (60%). Should students prefer final assessment they can sit a written exam in the end of
the semester (100%).
will raise debate and encourage dialogue about relevant topics of the syllabus and the full understanding of
pertinent questions regarding the theme proposed. Hence, the autonomous work of the students is highly
recommended as their autonomy regarding research and the development of their capacity of critical analysis.
Lectures by guest speakers about a specific topic of the syllabus might also occur. During the semester students will prepare individual oral presentations as a means of continuous assessment, which also integrates essays, written commentaries and analysis of literary
texts in the light of the proposed paradigms. Continuous assessment will be complete with 2 written works: one critical review (40%) and an essay (60%). Should students prefer final assessment they can sit a written exam in the end of
the semester (100%).
Teaching Staff
- Ana Clara de Sousa Birrento Matos Silva [responsible]
Certificações
