jku

Introduction to the Course

  • Acknowledgment of the responsibility teachers carry in changing lives.

  • Understanding the impact educators have on their students' trajectories and futures.

Course Overview

  • Presenting pertinent information about course expectations and structure.

  • Acknowledgment that much of the information is available to students but will be reiterated for clarity.

Key Ideas Explored in the Course

  • The course will cover critical analysis within literature.

  • The focus will be on:

    • How to interpret works of art.

    • Writing coherently and intelligently about literature, engaging with exciting, innovative, and challenging texts.

    • Understanding the importance of secondary sources in literary analysis.

Course Structure

  • Lecture and Tutorials:

    • Initial expectation: two lectures and two tutorials per week (later corrected to clarify the structure).

    • Emphasis on the increased complexity of second-year literature compared to first year.

    • Description of first-year learning as hectic and scattered, leading to more focused and intensive second-year studies.

Importance of Engagement and Preparation

  • Students are urged to:

    • Bring notebooks and materials for taking notes during class.

    • Engage actively with the course material as it unfolds.

    • Prepare and annotate materials during discussions to ease future workloads, particularly during exams.

Assessment Structure

  • Types of Assessments:

    • Assignment tests will require students to reference secondary sources provided on the day of the test, responding to query related to specific texts such as Baldwin.

    • Explain the nature of the essay, focused on employing critical analysis and engaging with texts.

  • Test Formats:

    • Example questions may involve multiple-choice questions regarding literary techniques such as modernist stream of consciousness.

    • Assignment tests will be broader in scope than previously administered tests and will utilize extracts from literary works.

Timelines and Responsibilities

  • Announcement of assignment tests to be delivered approximately two weeks after submitting the original essays.

  • Responsibilities of the students:

    • Submit documentation for any missed assessments due to valid reasons.

    • Acknowledgment of submitted materials to avoid repercussions, stressing the importance of citations and proper referencing techniques.

Referencing Techniques

  • Importance of acknowledging sources in assessments:

    • Use of specific referencing techniques taught in class (e.g., hard bone technique).

    • Guidance on how to cite in-text, paraphrase arguments, and maintain academic integrity.

  • Description of what to bring for semester tests or exams concerning materials and referencing.

Learning Outcomes and Philosophical Implications

  • Exploration of narratives and their relevance to life beyond the classroom:

    • Discussion of how teaching texts may serve future learners.

    • Critical thinking about how experiences shape perceived realities through storytelling.

  • Understanding the idea of stories as filters for individual and collective experiences:

    • Stories help individuals construct their realities based on filtered stimuli and consciousness.

    • Recognition of the role of stories in various aspects of life, including history and ideology.

Conclusion

  • Overall, the importance of analyzing literature not just as an academic exercise, but as a valuable life skill for future teachers and individuals.

  • Critical reflection on consciousness as it relates to storytelling, emphasizing the impact of narrative on personal understanding and perception of truth.