1308.14 - Travel Writing (BA)


Course number
1308.14
Title
Travel Writing (BA)
ECTS
10
Prerequisites
Students must have completed the required core courses on the Bachelor Degree Programme in Faroese or have equivalent qualifications.
Purpose
By reading theory on genres and discussing travel writing students will gain insight into the genre of travel writing in the context of history of literature. What sets travel writing apart from other genres? When does a text constitute travel writing? Is travel writing specialist literature or fiction – or both? How does travel writing fit into the writing of literary history in Europe? How can travel writing be grouped into literary periods? In what way has travel writing changed over the last 300 years or so? Why is there such great interest in travel writing today?
Content
The course is structured as a discussion of theoretical questions on genre focusing on how travel writing as a genre is differentiated from novels, biographies, memoirs, etc. These questions will serve as an approach to reading and discussing travel works. The course will also look into how literary and philosophical trends are reflected in travel writing, for example by asking how travellers describe themselves in relation to others, as well as how the homely and known is described in relation to the foreign and unknown.
Learning and teaching approaches
Lectures and student presentations. Class-based discussions will alternate between group discussions and joint discussions on set questions.
Learning outcomes
Successful students can demonstrate: • basic insight into how different genres are categorised • knowledge of the extent to which genre categorisations determine how we read text • knowledge about travel writing as a genre • the necessary competences and knowledge of theory and methods to work with travel writing in the context of history of literature
Assessment method
Take-home assignment on a topic chosen by the student. Approximately 20 pages.
Examination
External
Marking scale
13-
Bibliography
List of key readings– Selected texts and excerpts from: Carl Thompson: Travel Writing, 2011 – this is the key course textbook. A. S. Bawarshi & M. J. Reiff: Genre: An Introduction to History, Theory, Research, and Pedagogy, 2010 Edward Said: Orientalism, 1978 Paul Fussel: Abroad, 1980 Bergur Djurhuus Hansen: “Heimloysi sum tekstslag”, Fróðskaparrit 60, book, 2013 Malan Marnersdóttir: “Á Suðurlandið”, In Sýnisstubbar, 1994 Mungo Park: Rejser i det indre af Afrika 2006 (1799) Sigert O. Patursson: Sibirien i vore dage, 1901 K. O. Viderø: Frá landi á fyrsta sinni, 1991 - In addition to excerpts from other works and academic papers. The required reading amounts to 600 to 800 pages Students are expected to acquire individual copies of: Carl Thompson: Travel Writing (2011) and K. O. Viderø: Frá landi á fyrsta sinni (1991)
Contact
Bergur Djurhuus Hansen