Mapping the Present

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Mapping the Present: Spatial Approaches to Contemporary Literature and Film
Leerdoelen	Students will (1) gain knowledge of key works in contemporary European literature and visual culture, and familiarize themselves with the current debate on the alleged end of postmodernism; (2) gain knowledge of various theoretical and methodological approaches related to space, such as literary geography, urban studies, and ecocriticism; (3) be able to analyze a work of art in the broader context of a culture, and to present the results of thei research in English to an audience of specialists and nonspecialists.
Omschrijving	This module will focus on contemporary representations of space within and beyond Europe, across a variety of media, ranging from literature to film, photography, and computer games. By examining a corpus of representative works from the last two decades, our discussion will encompass global networks , migration routes, neglected suburbs, and militarized border zones. Space will be considered both as a theme and with regard to the stylistic and narrative features of the selected works, also in relation to the current debates on the ‘Return of the Real’ and the end of postmodernism. The theoretical framework of the course will include: 1) Key thinkers associated to the ‘spatial turn’ in the humanities and the social sciences (Foucault, Lefebvre, De Certeau, Soja); 2) Eco- and Geo-criticism (Heise, Westphal); 3) Spectrality and spectro-geography; 4) Mobility and migration studies; 5) The return of the Real in contemporary literature, philosophy, and visual culture (Foster, Žižek, Ferraris, etc.).
Uren per week	3
Onderwijsvorm	werkcollege
Toetsvorm	presentatie, schriftelijke opdracht(en), werkstuk(ken)
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	dr. V. Alexander
Docent(en)	dr. V. Alexander , A. Godioli, PhD.
Entreevoorwaarden	Bachelor obtained and admission to the MA programme (check the degree programme’s Teaching and Examination Regulations
Opmerkingen	80% Compulsory attendance in seminars. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions during seminars and to duly carry out all assignments in and outside class.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type Ma Interdisciplinaire onderzoekscolleges 1 semester II keuze Ma Letterkunde (Europese L&C / English L&C / Writing, Editing and Mediating)  (Interdisciplinaire Onderzoekscolleges) 1 semester II keuze