Faculty Course: Motifs of Madness in Literature and Culture, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course studies images of mental disorder in Western literature and culture on the basis of a number of themes which are still of interest today. The images that emerge are interpreted and contextualized through modern theoretical discussions about madness and the connection between madness and cultural production. 

The texts studied can be read in modern English translation.

Expected learning outcomes

To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:

• authoritatively discuss how historical and social changes are reflected in perceptions and care of people with mental disorders and their self-perceptions and self-presentations
• pay attention to taxonomies and terminology in descriptions of mental disorder and assess the extent to which these reflect perceptions of mental disorder
• develop a nuanced perspective of important historical and literary concepts
• contextualize contemporary theory about, and methods for, the study of mental disorder using historical experiences with a view to identifying continuity and turning points
• problematize the importance of gender, physiology, age, social class and ethnicity in representations of mental disorder
• independently find and analyze relevant literature in an individual academic project.

Required Knowledge

Knowledge of English equivalent of English 6/English Course B from Swedish upper secondary school.    
Univ: One of these alternatives: 1) At least 150 ECTS language studies including literary studies or 2) the course Faculty Course: Narrating Madness in Literature and Culture 7.5 credits

Form of instruction

Teaching is net-based and is based on student activity in the form of group discussions and other kinds of interaction between the course participants. In addition, it includes online introductions to the various themes discussed in the course.    

The medium of instruction is English.

Examination modes

Examination consists of assessment of oral presentations and written assignments. All examination is conducted in English.

The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.

Grades awarded in the examination of written assignments are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Grades awarded in the examination of oral presentations are Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Where the examination of a module consists of several parts, the student must have passed all parts in order to receive a Pass grade. Awards of the grade Pass with distinction are particularly based on the student's ability to problematize and analyze the course content.

A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.
 
A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam. At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.  
 
In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.