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An Introduction to Literature in English (2)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:11
Abstract
The power that stories have over the audience's imagination has always proved one of the main pleasures of reading. In this course we will be considering some of the highlights of English Literature dealing with storytelling. The course develops out of work we have done in WS 06/07, but forms an entirely self-contained unit. New students are welcome to attend!
Content
This course develops out of Part I, held in the Winter Semester 2006-07, but forms a completely self-contained unit. New students will be welcome! Our topic will be "story telling". A fundamental element in many kinds of literature is the story, an organisation of experience into one or more narrative lines. We will consider some of the ways in which narratives are structured, discuss the relationship between form and function, between structure and meaning and explore how story-tellers control the reading experience. We will start with extracts from Homer's 'Odyssey', and continue with major works of English literature in which story-telling is a central issue: G. Chaucer, 'The Canterbury Tales', S.T. Coleridge, 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Joseph Conrad, 'Heart of Darkness' and Salman Rushdie, 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories'. In addition, we will also be working with extracts from Vladimir Propp's 'Morphology of the Folktale'.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Besides the books, some literature will be provided on handouts.
Literature
J. Conrad, 'Heart of Darkness' S. Rushdie, 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories'
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | An Introduction to Literature in English (2) |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
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Compulsory Electives GESS (Categorically all students at ETH Zurich are required to obtain 8 credit points (ECTS) within the frame of this elective course program throughout their studies; 6 credit points during the bachelor and 2 for the master. Some of the lectures are part of other departments’ curricula. Further information can be found in the course catalog or at the particular student offices.)
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