Literature and Society: An Introduction

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Literature and Society: An Introduction (GSP168)

Applications Open: 01 May 2024

Applications Close: 15 June 2024

Next Available Intake: July 2024

Course Types: Modular Undergraduate Course

Language: English

Duration: 6 months

Fees: $1391.78 View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: General Studies

Schemes: Alumni Continuing Education (ACE)

Funding: To be confirmed

School/Department: SUSS Academy

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Synopsis

This course enables students to approach works of literature as artefacts that are directly tied to real-world experiences and life lessons. The course will provide students with a set of integrated skills required to engage with literary texts confidently and critically. These skills, in addition to the engagement with materials in this course, will gear students towards appreciating the intricacies of narrative story-telling as an important aspect of cultural expression and analytical reflection.

Level: 1
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JULY
E-Learning: BLENDED - Learning is done ENTIRELY online using interactive study materials in Canvas. Students receive guidance and support from online instructors via discussion forums and emails. There are no face-to-face sessions. If the course has an exam component, this will be administered on-campus.

Topics

Three ways literature interacts with society
Key themes in Singapore literature
How literary forms (prose, poetry and plays) tell stories
The purpose and practice of close reading
Close reading how Singaporean prose interacts with society
How to present close reading (prose)
Close reading how Singaporean poetry interacts with society
How to present close reading (poetry)
Close reading how Singaporean plays interacts with society
How to present close reading (plays)
Key critical thinking skills for literary essays
Key critical writing skills for literary essays

Learning Outcome

Identify three ways literature interacts with society.
Describe the key thematic concerns of Singapore literature.
Discuss how literary forms shape the meaning of the text.
Explain the purpose and practice of literary analysis.
Identify common literary devices (narrative, poetic, dramatic) and explain their effect on the reader/audience.
Demonstrate through close reading, how selected Singaporean prose, poems, and plays convey their thematic concerns and interact with society.
Apply close reading techniques and write an essay based on close reading of selected texts.