Introduction to Literary Studies
Code
711091111
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Estudos Portugueses
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Paula Cristina Costa
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To learn a set of theoretical questions concerning literary studies;
b) To learn the very concept of literary text;
c) To learn about the methodologies used in the analysis of literary texts;
d) To acknowledge different difficulty levels in the in the analysis of literary texts.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
The course will focus on the first theoretical texts in the western tradition in which theories of poetry emerge. Specifically, we will examine and discuss the first families of problems that arise from the concepts of inspiration, mimesis and poetic technique.
Bibliography
Aristóteles, Poética, trad. Ana Maria Valente, Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2004.
Aristóteles, Retórica, trad. Manuel Alexandre Júnior, Lisboa: INCM, 1998.
Platão, A República, trad. Mª Helena da Rocha Pereira, Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 1990.
Platão, Ion (Íon), trad. Lane Cooper, Plato: The Collected Dialogues, ed. Edith Hamilton, Huntington Cairns, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989.
Platão, Phaedrus (Fedro), trad. R. Hackforth, Plato: The Collected Dialogues, ed. Edith Hamilton, Huntington Cairns, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989.
Teaching method
50% practical classes.
The classes will be devoted to theoretical as well as practical reflection concerning introductory questions raised within literary studies, and they will combine this reflection with the study of literary examples, in order to actively challenge the students to tackle the difficulties posed by the interpretation of different literary texts.
Evaluation method
Two midterm exams (25% + 25%), and one final exam (50%). Attendance will be taken into account.