Studying Literature: Theoretical Perspectives and Academic Workshop 3305-BL-1U

As aulas têm como objetivo aprofundar os conhecimentos em teoria da literatura e desenvolver habilidades acadêmicas essenciais para a realização de pesquisas sobre a literatura de língua portuguesa. As estudantes e os estudantes terão contato com algumas perspectivas teóricas contemporâneas (como feminismo, estudos culturais, ecocrítica e teoria do afeto), bem como com metodologias de pesquisa literária em nível acadêmico.
O proseminário tem caráter prático: as pessoas participantes irão analisar textos críticos e literários à luz de teorias escolhidas, exercitar a formulação de hipóteses de pesquisa, a argumentação e outras habilidades analíticas. As aulas enfatizam o uso consciente da metodologia e uma abordagem crítica da literatura.
Aviso: alguns conteúdos apresentados no curso podem conter elementos difíceis de processar para pessoas sensíveis (como violência, linguagem vulgar ou conteúdo erótico explícito). Pedimos que leve isso em consideração ao decidir participar do curso.

Course coordinators

Aleksandra Pajek

Type of course

proseminars

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The course assumes the deepening of knowledge in the field of research on Portuguese-language literature and the development of academic skills necessary for the independent analysis and interpretation of literary, critical, and theoretical texts. The classes are workshop-based and focus on selected contemporary research perspectives, the formulation of research problems and hypotheses, the selection of methodology, the construction of arguments, and the presentation of analytical results. The proseminar prepares students for further seminar and diploma-related work in literary studies, with particular emphasis on Portuguese-language literatures, including Portuguese and Brazilian literature.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes for the Portuguese and Brazilian specialisations
The graduate knows and understands
S3K_W01 / S4K_W01 — the subject-specific and methodological characteristics of literary research relevant to Iberian Studies, with particular emphasis on Portuguese-language literatures, as well as selected terminology in the field of literary studies at an advanced level.
S3K_W02 / S4K_W02 — the connections between Iberian Philology, including research on Portuguese-language literature, and other fields in the humanities and social sciences, especially literary theory, cultural studies, feminism, ecocriticism, and affect theory.
S3K_W03 / S4K_W03 — the basic concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright, particularly in relation to academic work, citation, paraphrasing, and the use of critical and literary sources.
S3K_W05 / S4K_W05 — selected terminology, theory, and methodology in the field of literary studies and selected contemporary research perspectives applied to the analysis of Portuguese-language literatures, including Portuguese and Brazilian literature.
S3K_W06 / S4K_W06 — selected contemporary achievements of research centres, schools, and trends relevant to the study of Portuguese-language literature, including feminist, cultural, ecocritical, and affective perspectives.
The graduate is able to
S3K_U01 / S4K_U01 — use acquired research skills to interpret and analyse literary and theoretical-critical texts related to the Portuguese-speaking area, including Portugal and Brazil; formulate research hypotheses, select appropriate theoretical and methodological perspectives, construct arguments, and prepare and present the results of analysis.
S3K_U02 / S4K_U02 — independently acquire knowledge in the field of literary studies and literary theory, expand their own research skills, and undertake autonomous actions aimed at preparing for further academic and professional work.
S3K_U03 / S4K_U03 — use acquired language skills to understand, analyse, and produce oral and written academic texts, applying selected specialist terminology from literary and theoretical studies.
The graduate is ready to
S3K_K01 / S4K_K01 — cooperate in a group during the analysis of literary and critical texts, seminar discussions, and workshop-based activities, assuming different roles.
S3K_K03 / S4K_K03 — critically assess their own knowledge, interpretive competences, and academic skills, and understands the need for continuous improvement in literary research and scholarly work.
S3K_K04 / S4K_K04 — actively and critically participate in the culture of the Portuguese-speaking area, including Portugal and Brazil, using various forms, texts, and media, and to cooperate in a team as part of analytical and interpretive tasks.

Assessment criteria

Presença nas aulas: são permitidas duas ausências não justificadas; cada ausência adicional reduzirá a nota final em meio ponto.
Participação nas aulas: envolve participação nas discussões, trabalho individual e em grupo, bem como demonstração de familiaridade com determinadas obras bibliográficas.
Trabalho escrito final: miniartigo científico conforme as normas da escrita acadêmica (linguagem, estrutura, citação, bibliografia). De 4 a 6 páginas de texto principal.
No âmbito do trabalho do curso, aplicam-se as diretrizes gerais da URK quanto ao uso de ferramentas de IA:
https://dokumenty.uw.edu.pl/dziennik/DURK/Lists/Dziennik/Attachments/134/DURK.2023.98.UURK.98.pdf

Bibliography

BURZYŃSKA, Anna; MARKOWSKI, Michał Paweł, Teorie literatury XX w.: podręcznik, Znak, Kraków 2006.
BURZYŃSKA, Anna; MARKOWSKI, Michał Paweł, Teorie literatury XX w.: antologia, Znak, Kraków 2006.
CIXOUS, Hélène, O riso da Medusa, Bazar do Tempo, Rio de Janeiro 2022.
ECO, Umberto, Dzieło otwarte, Wydawnictwo W.A.B., Warszawa 2008.
KASPERSKI, Edward, Metody i metodologia (metodologia ogólna, nauki humanistyczne, wiedza o literaturze): podręcznik akademicki, Wydział Polonistyki UW, Warszawa 2017.
MITOSEK, Zofia, Teorie badań literackich, PWN, Warszawa 1995.
Teoria literária: abordagens históricas e tendências contemporâneas, org. Thomas Bonnici, Lucia Osana Zolin, 4 ed. ampl. e rev., Maringá: Eduem 2019.

Adicionalmente: textos literários breves discutidos nas aulas e artigos científicos selecionados, disponíveis online, dedicados às viragens metodológicas contemporâneas nos estudos literários e culturais, nomeadamente à viragem cultural, espacial, afetiva, material, arquivística, digital, pós-humanista e ecocrítica. Os textos específicos serão indicados ao longo das aulas.

Notes

Term 2026Z:

Assessment methods

Active participation in classes and preparation for discussion — 50% of the final grade
The following will be assessed: attendance, familiarity with the assigned reading excerpts, participation in discussion, formulation of questions, engagement with the texts, and responses to other students’ contributions.
Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted. Each additional unexcused absence must be made up in the form of an oral presentation on an assigned topic or will result in the final grade being lowered by half a grade.
Being more than 15 minutes late will be treated as an absence, unless it is occasional and has been agreed with the instructor.

Oral introduction to a reading — 50% of the final grade
Each student will prepare one oral presentation of approximately 15 minutes, devoted to a selected reading, theory, or methodology. The presentation should include an introduction to the issue, reference to the assigned reading, and 2–3 questions for group discussion.

Assessment criteria
The final grade will take into account:
familiarity with the readings and materials discussed;
systematic preparation for classes;
active and substantive participation in discussion;
ability to critically analyse literary texts;
ability to connect the theoretical texts discussed with literary texts;
clarity, structure, and problem-oriented character of the oral presentation;
respect for differing viewpoints and for the principles of academic discussion.

Regarding the use of AI tools in the learning process, the general URK guidelines apply:
https://dokumenty.uw.edu.pl/dziennik/DURK/Lists/Dziennik/Attachments/134/DURK.2023.98.UURK.98.pdf