Students will gain an understanding of and applying theory of narrative unreliability to the interpretation of selected texts. They will advance their competence in interpreting texts within their socio-cultural and historical contexts. 

This is an interactive, learner-centred class. Teaching methods include short inputs by the lecturer, oral presentations by students, in-class exploration of theoretical and primary texts through guides discussion, close textual analysis and group work.

Unreliable narrations are stories told by supposed liars and criminals, madmen or madwomen, tricksters and manipulators, often full of mysteries, gaps, inconsistencies or straightforward contradictions. How do we identify and interpret these narratives? How do we react to them? What happens to notions of truth, closure, justice, or history? What are narratological strategies to convey (un)reliability? What are its functions? In this class we will discuss these questions looking at examples from prose fiction, Ford Madox Ford’s The Good Soldier (1915), Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita (1955), Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace (1996), and Ian McEwan’s Atonement (2007), as well as selected film versions.

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Introduction to Literary Studies II; according to your curriculum, please mind any other prerequisites. 

Required texts (Please purchase!)- Atwood, Margaret. Alias Grace (Virago, 2001)- Ford, Madox Ford. The Good Soldier (Oxford University Press, 2008)- McEwan, Ian. Atonement (Vintage, 2007)- Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita (Penguin, 2000)(Any print or e-book versions are acceptable.)All other texts will be made available by the instructor on Moodle.

one oral presentation (15 min, 1-2pp Handout)one research paper of 2500-3000 words

active participation in class.oral presentation (15 minutes) on selected topics. A list of presentation topics and detailed guidelines will be provided.research paper on one text treated in the seminar. Students must use at least five secondary sources. Papers must conform to the guidelines outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. They must be submitted as a word or PDF document via email. Deadline for submission is April 30, 2024.

Components of final grade:20 % participation in class (also includes reading in preparation for class; not missing more than 3 sessions)20 % oral presentation60 % research paperStudents will need to complete and achieve passing grades in all three components of assessment in order to receive a passing grade for the class.