Introdução aos Estudos Literários
Courses Licenciatura em Humanidades
This course provides an introduction to Literary Studies as a field of knowledge, integrating theory, history, and the reading of literary texts. It focuses on the historical and institutional formation of the literary phenomenon, examining how it has been conceptualized, organized, and studied over time. The course also encourages reflection on notions such as the canon, literariness, narrativity, and literary genres, among others.
The syllabus follows a conceptual progression that moves from problematizing literature to analyzing the ways in which literary texts are studied and interpreted. The aim is to provide students with fundamental references and basic tools for analysis and interpretation, suited to an initiation into the study of literature.
Literary Studies
Literary Theory
Narrativity
Literary Genres
By the end of this course, undergraduate students are expected to have developed the following general and specific skills:
The ability to understand literature as a historically constituted object of knowledge, recognizing the role of different agents in defining and legitimizing the literary phenomenon;
The ability to problematize fundamental notions in Literary Studies, such as the canon, literariness, narrativity, and literary genres;
The ability to situate literary texts within the historical and cultural frameworks that inform their production, circulation, and reception;
The ability to apply theoretical concepts in a relevant and well-grounded manner in the analysis of literary texts;
The ability to formulate and communicate interpretations and critical reflections clearly and coherently, in a manner appropriate to academic discourse, while acknowledging the plurality of readings within Literary Studies.
The course Introduction to Literary Studies examines the historical constitution of this field and some of its fundamental notions, as well as the main modes of contemporary literary analysis and interpretation. The adopted approach emphasizes the link between theoretical frameworks and the analysis of literary texts, thereby establishing a solid foundation for informed critical reading.
The course is organized around three main themes, which guide the work carried out throughout the semester:
1. Literature and Literary Studies: Conceptual Foundations;
2. Literary Theory and the History of the Field;
3. Literary Genres and Categories of Analysis.
NOTE: Only a few mandatory and/or reference readings are listed here. Specific bibliography for each of the modules in the syllabus will be provided during the course.
Angenot, M., Bessière, J., Fokkema, D., & Kushner, E. (Dirs.). (1989). Théorie littéraire. Presses Universitaires de France.
Barthes, R. (1984). Le bruissement de la langue : essais critiques IV. Seuil.
Borges, J. L. (1974). Obras completas: 1923–1972 (C. V. Frías, Dir.). Emecé.
Compagnon, A. (1998). Le démon de la théorie : littérature et sens commun. Seuil.
Culler, J. (2011). Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Eagleton, T. (2008). Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press.
Eco, U. (1994). Seis passeios pelos bosques da ficção (H. Feist, Trad.). Companhia das Letras.
Horácio. (2012). Arte poética (R. M. Rosado Fernandes, Trad., 4.ª ed.). Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Júdice, N. (2010). ABC da crítica. Dom Quixote.
Reis, C. (2008). O conhecimento da literatura: introdução aos Estudos Literários (2.ª ed.). Almedina.
E-learning.
The preferred assessment method is continuous assessment, consisting of two written assignments in digital format (e-fólios) completed throughout the semester, and a final assessment entitled e-fólio Global (e-fólioG), to be held at the end of the semester, contributing 40% and 60%, respectively, to the final grade.
Students may, however, choose — within the established deadline — to be assessed through a single evaluation moment, by taking a final exam worth 100% of the final grade.