Last modified: 26 Feb 2018 15:34
This course enables students to apply skills of close linguistic analysis to a range of literary texts and genres. Students will explore the ways in which different aspects of linguistic structure shape and contribute to readers' interpretations of texts. The core structural elements of phonology, morphology and syntax will be covered; each week, students will discuss a particular literary text, putting into practice the skills of stylistic analysis gained on the course up to that point. The course will cover both canonical "Literary" texts and other forms of writing.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Old Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Course Aims
This course aims to introduce students to the close linguistic analysis of literary texts, enabling students to identify how different aspects of linguistic structure shape and contribute to readers' interpretations of texts. Students will consider both canonical "Literary" texts and non-canonical forms of writing.
Main Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have:
1. a wide-ranging general understanding of way linguistic structure shapes possible readings of a text;
2. knowledge of specific linguistic techniques and their effects;
3. developed a set of stylistic analytical "tools" to enable them to identify and analyse the use of linguistic structure in a variety of texts.
Course Content
The study of Linguistics often focuses on spoken or spontaneous language, or on specific forms of institutional discourse, such as the language used in educational contexts or other professional contexts. However, given that we are surrounded by literary texts, from novels to poetry and drama, it is both interesting and useful to apply precise linguistic analytical approaches to texts from a range of literary genres.
This course will look at how language structure can be used to shape meaning, considering patterns in the phonology, morphology and syntax of texts, and the ways in which these condition readers' interpretations of texts. The course will have three aspects:
1) the methods and theories of stylistics will be introduced, from dialogue to discourse and from metre to metaphor
2) students will read classic and contemporary essays from the field of stylistics
3) each week, students will discuss a particular literary text, putting into practice the skills of stylistic analysis gained on the course up to that point.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1st Attempt
1 two hour written exam (40%), one 2000 word essay (40%), seminar participation (10%), in-class group presentation (10%).
Resit
1 two hour exam (100%).
Students will be given the opportunity of finding out how well they have performed in seminars as an ongoing feature of the learning process.
Written comments will be given on written assignments, with students invited to discuss further with their tutor if desired. Written feedback on seminar participation and in-class participation will also be provided.
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