Transnational Representations of the US West in Literature and Film 3301-LA1306
The course focuses on the literary and cinematic representations of the US West and the ways of adapting the convention of the Western in various transnational contexts from the late nineteenth century to the present. The literary and film works to be analyzed represent the following national and regional cultures: Canada, Mexico, Europe (Germany, France, Italy, East and Central Europe), the Middle East, South-East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), Australia. Class discussions will concern the specificity of formal solutions and political implications to be found in individual literary and film narratives. These narratives will also be analyzed as elements of an intercultural dialogue through which national cultures define their place in the global exchange of symbolic and ideological content.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: the graduate will be able to
K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of literary and culture studies within the humanities with respect to the functioning of genres P7S_WK
K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in literary and cultural studies research within English studies P7S_WG
K_W03 Identify the essential issues, main methods and theories in research in linguistics P7S_WG
K_W04 Characterize on an advanced level the principles of research design in literary and culture studies with special focus on the application of methods and tools in formulating research problems, including comparative studies P7S_WG
K_W05 Identify the notions and principles pertinent to intellectual property and copyright P7S_WK
K_W06 Characterise economic, legal and other factors relevant for various kinds of professional activities related to the study programme P7S_WK
K_W07 Characterise the history of philosophical thought and its implications for English studies P7S_WK
K_W08 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics within the humanities P7S_WK
K_W09 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistic research within English studies P7S_WG
Abilities: the graduate is able to
K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the discipline (linguistics, literary studies, culture and religion studies) P7S_UW
K_U02 Apply advanced research methodology within literary and culture studies and English studies, respecting ethical norms and copyright law P7S_UW
K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline literary studies and/or culture and religion studies, specifically including categories of genre P7S_UW, P7S_UK
K_U04 Analyze linguistic, literary and cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level, especially in reference to transnational contexts P7S_UW
K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within a discipline, especially in literary and cultural comparative studies P7S_UK
K_U06 Find information in various sources and critically assess its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project P7S_UW
K_U07 Use modern technology in the process of learning and communicating with academic teachers, colleagues, representatives of various institutions and fellow participants in classes and projects, applying various channels and techniques of communication P7S_UW, P7S_UK
K_U08 Participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum P7S_UO
K_U09 Present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form P7S_UK
K_U10 Demonstrate fluency in a foreign language other than English on Level B2+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages P7S_UK
K_U11 Design one’s own development P7S_UU
Social competences: the graduate is ready to
K_K01 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to fulfill societal obligations and undertake actions benefitting the social environment P7S_KK
K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development P7S_KK
K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies P7S_KR
K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies P7S_KO
K_K05 Participate in academic and cultural undertakings offered via various media P7S_KO
K_K06 Value cultural heritage and cultural diversity as well as individual opinions P7S_KO
Assessment criteria
Permanent assessment based on attendance and participation; essay.
Three absences allowed.
Bibliography
Literary works.
- Henryk Sienkiewicz, selected short stories
- Karol May, Winnetou
- Blaise Cendrars, Gold
- selected episodes of Lucky Luke comics
Films.
- The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of Bolsheviks (Rosja)
- Lemonade Joe (Czechosłowacja)
- Summer Love (Polska)
- Der Kaiser von Kalifornien (Niemcy)
- Gunless (Canada)
- Sicario (USA)
- The Good, the Bad, the Weird (Korea)
- The Proposition (Australia)
Critical bibliography.
- Lee Broughton, The Euro-Western: Reframing Gender, Race and the ‘Other’ in Film.
- Neil Campbell, The Rhizomatic West: Representing the American West in a Transnational, Global, Media Age.
- Christopher Frayling, Spaghetti Westerns: Cowboys and Europeans from Karl May to Sergio Leone.
- Kevin Grant, Any Gun Can Play: The Essential Guide to Euro-Westerns.
- MaryEllen Higgins, Rita Keresztesi, and Dayna Oscherwitz, eds., The Western in the Global South.
- Cynthia J. Miller and A. Bowdoin Van Riper, eds., International Westerns: Re-Locating the Frontier.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: