1. European Literatures
2. Literary Trends
3. Literary Myths
4. Ideology and Literature

By the end of the course unit, the student will have demonstrated the following abilities:

• Use basic digital tools (e.g. PowerPoint, forums) to communicate ideas;
• apply ethical principles when preparing individual or group assignments and presentations;
  
• To develop a critical reflection on the idea of European literature (and related topics) in light of a particular literary or theoretical text;
• To situate within their respective historical, cultural, and poetic contexts, significant authors and works of European literature;
• To identify and analyse, both synchronically and diachronically (continuities and transformations), myths, themes, and motifs found in European literatures.
• To interpret European artistic works – both literary and visual – by relating formal aspects, contexts and meanings.
• Apply cultural, aesthetic, literary and historical approaches to the critical and contextualised analysis of phenomena and events across Europe.
• Communicate and interact critically, clearly and coherently, tailoring discourse to diverse audiences and contexts, and utilising tools for argumentation and self-assessment.

1. The Identity/-ies of European Literature

1.1. Is there a European literature?

1.2. Literature, nation and myth

1.3. Periodological delimitation and developmental stages

2. From Medieval to (Pre)Romantic Literary Concepts 

2.1. From Latin to romance: the birth of European literatures

2.2. From the picaresque novel to Don Quixote: the knight errant and the redefinition of the subject

2.3. The world as theatre: from Shakespeare to Calderón de La Barca

2.4. Travel, utopia and modernity

2.5. Romanticisms

3. Paradigmatic European Works: Themes and Reception

3.1. Micromégas

3.2. Ossian – a European phenomenon

Bär, Gerald (2016). “António Feliciano de Castilho, a literatura alemã e Ossian”. Convergência Lusíada, No. 35 – jan/jun de 2016, pp. 145-159.

- (2009). “Garrett e Ossian”. Anglo-Saxonica, Revista do Centro de Estudos Anglísticos da Universidade de Lisboa. Série II – nº 26 – 2008-2009. Lisboa: Edições Colibri, pp. 214-215.

Backès, Jean-Louis (1999). A literatura europeia. Tradução de L. C. Feio. Lisboa: Instituto Piaget.

Lourenço, Eduardo (1994). Nós e a Europa ou as duas razões. Lisboa: I.N.C.M. (excertos).

 - (1999). Do mundo da imaginação à imaginação do mundo. Lisboa: Fim de Século Edições (excertos).

 - (2001). A Europa desencantada. Para uma mitologia europeia. Lisboa: Gradiva (excertos).

Gaskill, Howard, (ed.) (2004). The Reception of Ossian in Europe. London (The Athlone Critical Traditions Series: The Reception of British Authors in Europe). New York, NY: Thoemmes Continuum.

Monfardini, Adriana (2005). “O mito e a literatura”. Terra roxa e outras terras. Revista de Estudos Literários. Vol. 5 (2005), pp. 50-61.

Moura, Vasco Graça (2013). A Identidade Cultural Europeia (Ensaios da Fundação, #40). Lisboa: Relógio D\\\'Água, pp. 44-49.

Russ, Jacqueline (1997). A aventura do pensamento europeu. Uma história das ideias ocidentais. Lisboa: Terramar, col. «Europa» (excertos).

The Poetical Works of Ossian. [Em linha]: http://www.exclassics.com/ossian/ossian.pdf (Em Português: Poesias de Ossian: Antologia das traduções em português (org. Gerald Bär). Lisboa: Universidade Católica Editora, 2010. (excertos)

Voltaire, François-Marie Arouet (2017) Micromégas. Ed. Mathieu Roduit. [Em linha]: https://mrfrancais.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/9/8/19984595/microm%C3%A9gas.pdf Edição em Português: http://www.ebooksbrasil.org/eLibris/micromegasN.html).

Further bibliographical references and material, such as images and films available in the internet, will be provided throughout the semester on the e-learning platform.

In this curricular unit, the learning experience has been designed to offer students greater flexibility in managing their study time, whilst ensuring they continue to receive support and interact with the lecturer and fellow students. Activities take place mainly online and asynchronously via the Universidade Aberta learning platform, combining periods of independent study with opportunities to participate in forums, debates, assignments and other activities that put knowledge into practice.

Students take an active role in their learning process and are encouraged to reflect, share experiences, solve problems and develop skills relevant to their academic and professional careers. Throughout the module, you will have access to a wide range of resources and guidance from the lecturer, who will provide regular support and feedback.

The teaching methods adopted promote autonomy, collaboration, inclusion and flexibility, enabling students to balance their studies with their personal, family and professional responsibilities.

To find out more about the Open University’s Pedagogical Model, please visit: Portal UAb-Modelo de Ensino

Assessment in this curricular unit is designed to support students’ learning throughout the semester, placing value not only on the results achieved but also on the process of knowledge construction. Assessment activities aim to promote critical reflection, the practical application of content, active participation and the development of skills relevant to students’ academic and professional pathways.

Where applicable, assessment may incorporate different methods and tools, such as individual and collaborative activities, written assignments, projects, presentations, participation in forums or assessment tests, in accordance with the provisions of the Course Syllabus.

The assessment criteria, the planned activities and their respective weightings will be presented at the start of the curricular unit, ensuring transparency and enabling you to organise your learning journey in an informed manner.

To find out more about the principles and guidelines for assessment within the Open University’s Pedagogical Model, please visit: Portal UAb-Modelo de Ensino