Essay Writing and Research
The aim of this course is to improve students’ critical thinking, academic writing skills, and research methodology. During the semester they learn how to read fiction and scholarly articles critically, formulate a thesis statement, structure an essay, use academic vocabulary, integrate quotes in their paper, and employ the MLA style. The central component of the grading process is a term essay of 1600-1800 words that students are required to write on one of the literary works discussed in class.
Introduction to Literature and Visual Culture
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with basic concepts of cultural studies and introduce them to literature and film criticism. Through the semester, students gain an understanding of the manifold meanings of culture, the importance of representation, and the relations between meaning and language. Furthermore, the course offers an insight into some of the critical contemporary theories, such as gender and queer theory, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, and ecological criticism. These topics are approached through varied media (short stories, images, advertisements, music videos, and films) which intend to broaden students’ knowledge of literature and visual culture, and further develop their analytical skills.