Course: Trauma and Literature

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Course title Trauma and Literature
Course code UMJL/EXTRL
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Mengel Ewald, Prof. Dr. phil. habil.
Course content
Trauma theory Trauma and the postcolony Trauma and literature Theory of Narrative Exposition Working with trauma J.M. Coetzee: Disgrace Rachel Zadok: Gem Squash Tokoloshe Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Half of a Yellow Sun

Learning activities and teaching methods
  • Participation in classes - 28 hours per semester
  • Term paper - 32 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 60 hours per semester
learning outcomes
Knowledge
know theories of trauma
know theories of trauma
describe the relationship between trauma and literature
describe the relationship between trauma and literature
know literary conventions and how authors use them to process trauma
know literary conventions and how authors use them to process trauma
Skills
analyze the theme of trauma in any literary work
analyze the theme of trauma in any literary work
identify the use of literary conventions in a given work
identify the use of literary conventions in a given work
teaching methods
Knowledge
Text analysis
Text analysis
Analysis of a work of art
Analysis of a work of art
Monologic (Exposition, lecture, briefing)
Monologic (Exposition, lecture, briefing)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
Skills
Text analysis
Text analysis
Analysis of a work of art
Analysis of a work of art
Monologic (Exposition, lecture, briefing)
Monologic (Exposition, lecture, briefing)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
assessment methods
Knowledge
Text analysis
Text analysis
Analysis of seminar paper
Analysis of seminar paper
Recommended literature
  • Caruth, Cathy. Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative and History. Baltimore, MD, 1996.
  • Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of this Earth (Les Damnés de la terre). New York, 2004.
  • Herman, Judith. Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. New York, 1992.
  • James, Wilmot - van de Vijver, Linda (eds.). After the TRC: Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa. Athens, 2000.
  • Krog, Antjie. Country of My Skull. London, 1999.
  • LaCapra, Dominick. Writing History, Writing Trauma. Baltimore, 2001.
  • Mengel, Ewald - Borzaga, Michela (eds.). Trauma, Memory, and Narrative in the Contemporary South African Novel: Essays. Amsterdam, 2012.
  • Nuttall, Sarah. Entanglement: Literary and Cultural Reflections on Post-Apartheid. Johannesburg, 2009.
  • Whitehead, Anne. Trauma Fiction. Edinburgh, 2004.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester