Contemporary Fantasy Literature. An Introduction 3301-LB2052-1ST
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the basic context and significance of the contemporary form of the genre of fantasy. Students get acquainted with the general overview of the classical and medieval traditions which have shaped the genre in its modern form, as well as the relation of contemporary fantasy works to other kinds of speculative fiction.
The conceptual starting point consists in the examination of the seminal work of the Inklings, especially J. R. R. Tolkien and S.C. Lewis which has defined and shaped the modern form of the genre. Against this context the course provides a general overview of the evolution of fantasy fiction in the course of the last century, paying special attention to interaction of the fantasy fiction with other genres such as science fiction, animal fable, alternative history novel, as well as the fantastic and heroic literature of the Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Also the course tackles the question of the multifarious interactions of fantasy fiction with the conventions of contemporary mainstream postmodernist fiction.
The texts discussed in the course reflect the variety of subgenres existing within modern fantasy, like heroic fantasy, urban fantasy, animal fantasy, comic fantasy or portal fantasy.
A parallel aim of the course is to introduce the students to the theoretical and critical context of the concept of secondary world, from its historical roots in the legacy of medieval literature, through the classic formulations of J. R. R. Tolkien, up to the immediate context of current critical debates on the issue.
The reading list:
1.critical reading:
J. R. R. Tolkien – On Fairy Stories
Ann Swinfen- In Defence of Fantasy, pp. 1- 99
Farah Mendlesohn – Rhetorics of Fantasy, Introduction
Mark J. P. Wolf Building Imaginary Worlds, pp. 16 – 64.
2. Terry Pratchett - We Free Men
3.C. S. Lewis - The Magician’s Nephew ; from The Voyage of the
Dawntreader: chapter :The Dark Island
4. Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere + BBC series
5. Susanna Clarke – Piranesi
6. Susanna Clarke – Mrs. Mabb
7. Susanna Clarke – Mr Simonelli, or the Fairy Widower
8. Sarah J. Maas - A Court of Thorns and Roses
9. Terry Pratchett - The Shepherd's Crown
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will have 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 within the domain of English Studies in the context of speculative fiction
K_W08 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of English Studiesin the context of speculative fiction
K_U08 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
Social competences
Students will be 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
*** Applies to students who began their studies in the year 2022/2023 ***
Knowledge
Students will have familiarity with:
K_W02 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies in the context of speculative fiction
K_W03 advanced descriptive grammar of English
K_W05 historical development of the English language and its variability in different areas of language description, at an advanced level
K_W07 advanced structures, lexis and conventions of spoken and written English
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of English Studies in the context of speculative fiction.
K_U02 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies in the context of speculative fiction.
K_U04 analyze at an advanced level literary works in connection with historical and cultural processes
K_U11 use modern technology to acquire knowledge and communicate through a variety of communication channels and techniques
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
K_K03 fulfill social obligations, co-organize activities for the benefit of the social environment
Assessment criteria
- preparation and presentation of an individual research project
-
Bibliography
ALEXANDER, Lloyd Chudley. "High Fantasy and Heroic Romance." The Horn Book Magazine.
ATTEBERY, Brian. Strategies of Fantasy. Bloomington/Indianapolis, 1992.
CARROLL, Shiloh. Medievalism in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones. Cambridge, 2018.
CHANCE, Jane. Tolkien’s Art: A Mythology for England, Lexington, 2001.
FIMI, Dimitra/HONEGGER, Thomas (eds.) Subcreating Arda: World-building in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Work, its Precursors, and its Legacies. Zurich and Jena, 2019.
FLIEGER, Verlyn. Interrupted Music” The Making of Tolkien's Mythology, Kent and London, 2005.
HONEGGER, Thomas. “(Heroic) Fantasy and the Middle Ages – Strange Bedfellows or an Ideal Cast? “, Itinéraires [Online], 2010-3 | 2010.
Edward JAMES/Farah MENDELSOHN(eds.). The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature. Cambridge, 2012
MANLOVE, Colin. Fantasy Literature of England. London, 1999.
MANLOVE, C.N. Modern Fantasy: Five Studies. Cambridge, 1975.
MENDLESOHN, Farah: The Rhetorics of Fantasy. Middletown, Connecticut, 2008.
MENDLESOHN, Farah/JAMES, Edward (eds.). A Short History of Fantasy. Faringdon, 2012.
SENIOR, W.A. “Quest Fantasies.” The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature. Eds. Edward JAMES/ Farah MENDELSOHN. Cambridge, 2012, 190-199.
SWINFEN, Ann. In Defence of Fantasy: A Study of the Genre in English and American Literature since 1945. London, 1984.
TIMMERMAN, John H. Other Worlds: The Fantasy Genre. Bowling Green, Ohio, 1983.
WOLF, M. J. P. Building Imaginary Worlds: The Theory and History of Subcreation, New York and London, 2012.
WOLFE, Gary K. Critical Terms for Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Glossary and Guide to Scholarship. New York, 1986.