20th Century American Literature - MA Seminar 1 3301-LAS1ŁAD03
This seminar is devoted to the analysis of 20th- and 21st-century literature and culture through the perspective of critical theory. It is intended for students seeking intellectual engagement and independent thinking—both within and beyond conventional approaches. Rather than relying on ideological orthodoxies or superficial trends, the course cultivates a space for discussion and theoretical reflection. Students will analyze a wide spectrum of cultural texts—from canonical literary works to contemporary forms of popular culture (such as comics, television series, or self-help literature)—in dialogue with critical thought from theorists of literature, culture, and art. The seminar is designed for those who value critical reflection and are prepared to pose questions about the political and conceptual stakes of cultural practices.
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
The graduate has in-depth familiarity with
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding
to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and
culture and region studies as applied in American studies
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of
intellectual property and copyright
K_W05 economic, legal, ethical and other conditions of the various
professional activities related to the field of American studies
The graduate is able to
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and research methods of
literary studies and culture and religion studies to solve complex and
original research problems in the field of American studies
K_U03 use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to
the communicative situation (e.g. holding a public debate, giving an
academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the
minimum level C2 according to the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property
protection and copyright law
K_U05 apply the knowledge of economic, legal, ethical and other
conditions of various professional activities related to American
studies
K_U07 use modern technology to acquire knowledge and communicate
through a variety of communication channels and techniques
K_U09 design their own development path and guide others in so doing
The graduate is ready to
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from
various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and
practical problems; consult experts when required
Assessment criteria
Class Participation (20%): Active and constructive contributions to seminar discussions.
Presentation of Research Proposal (20%): Clear, structured presentation outlining research focus, methodology, and theoretical background.
Annotated Bibliography (20%): Detailed critical summaries of relevant academic sources.
Final Research Paper (40%): Original, theoretically-informed analysis (approx. 5000 words), evaluated on clarity, theoretical application, argumentation, and scholarly rigor.
A maximum of 3 absences is allowed
Practical placement
n/a
Bibliography
To be adjusted to the interests to a specific group
Psychoanalytic Studies:
Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents (1930).
Jacques Lacan, “The Mirror Stage as Formative of the I Function,” from Écrits (1966).
Julia Kristeva, Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection (1980).
Critical Theory & Marxist Thought:
Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, Empire (2000) [selected excerpts].
Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism (1991) [chapters 1 & 6].
Cultural Studies:
Raymond Williams, Marxism and Literature (1977) [selected chapters].
Stuart Hall, “Encoding/Decoding,” in Culture, Media, Language (1980).
Paul Gilroy, The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (1993) [selected excerpts].
Affect Studies:
Lauren Berlant, Cruel Optimism (2011) [Introduction and selected chapters].
Sara Ahmed, The Cultural Politics of Emotion (2004) [selected excerpts].
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, “Shame, Theatricality, and Queer Performativity,” from Touching Feeling: Affect, Pedagogy, Performativity (2003).
Posthumanist and New Materialist Studies:
Catherine Malabou, What Should We Do with Our Brain? (2008).
Donna Haraway, “A Cyborg Manifesto,” in Simians, Cyborgs, and Women (1991).
Philosophy of Literature and Aesthetics:
Jacques Rancière, The Politics of Literature (2010) [selected chapters].
Hans Blumenberg, “Paradigms for a Metaphorology,” from Paradigms for a Metaphorology (1960; English 2010).
Walter Benjamin, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” (1936).
Contemporary Popular and Visual Culture:
Art Spiegelman, Maus (1986–1991).
bell hooks, Reel to Real: Race, Sex, and Class at the Movies (1996) [selected essays].
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: