Research Seminar: Dutch Literature

lgerm2882  2023-2024  Louvain-la-Neuve

Research Seminar: Dutch Literature
5.00 credits
15.0 h
Q1

This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2023-2024
Teacher(s)
Language
Dutch
Prerequisites
To have successfully followed the Bachelor courses in Dutch literature and show a strong interest in this area of research.
A good proficiency in Dutch (advanced level, B2 + of the Common European reference framework)
Main themes
The content of the seminar depends on the evolution of current research methods and of their epistemological foundations, the students' interests and dissertation subjects and research carried out by the teacher ; seminar topics can thus vary from year to year.
Students are required to participate actively in discussions on current research in Dutch-speaking literature, on the basis of presentations (study days, conferences, seminars) or scientific articles in the field.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 At the end of this course, students will be able to :
- elaborate and carry out a personal research project;
- work within a group in research ;
- acquire the knowledge and interdisciplinary skills ( methodologies, conceptual and epistemological foundations ) that underpin a research question
- present a coherent research project according to a defined methodological framework, possibly in conjunction with the dissertation and/or another research activity in the student's course
- demonstrate the ability to consider a theoretical issue in a well-argumented manner
 
Content
The research seminar approaches topics in Dutch or Comparative Literature through conferences, reading of scholarly texts, presentations and discussions.
The seminar focuses on the phenomenon of the "City poets", that has shown a marked development since the 2000s in Dutch-speaking literature. By way of introduction, it introduces the history of the writer's relationship to the city and its authorities (comparison with the troubadours, the trouvères, court poetry and medieval poetry, XVth and XVIth centuries; rederijkers, gemeenschapskunst, etc.) and then examines the poetic works of several Dutch and Flemish City poets. As for the Flemish part, we will deal with Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels, while the Dutch part will focus on Amsterdam, Rotterdam and, Utrecht.
Reflection on contemporary city poets literature will consist in investigating how the literary text is embodied in the public area of the city and will highlight in this way the text's significance outside itself. How does the insertion of the poem in the urban area and the political field alter its support and status? How does it affect the reading of such city literature? Correspondingly, how does the literary text give an image of the city, by configuring the real through poetry?
The course will also expose students to important poetic works of Dutch-speaking literature today via the chosen topics.
Teaching methods
Some theoretical sessions will summarize the basic principles of scientific research: formulation of an original research question, learning to carry out research in an autonomous manner, providing a relevant bibliography and a clear work structure, a.o.
Students are progressively introduced to the research topic. The first introductory sessions address the current debates about the study of poetry in public spaces. Students will read and discuss scholarly articles on the subject. All the texts and the assigned material are prepared and read before class by all the students.
Discussion sessions will give participants the opportunity to explore and discuss several poetry works within the framework of these theoretical and critical readings. Student research is guided individually or integrated in research groups (depending on the number of participants). Students prepare individually or in small groups the analysis of a chosen literary work (topics need to be approved by the instructor).Students are then asked to present the results of their research to the class. They try to find and formulate in a scientific way answers to a given research question. A critical discussion follows and enables the students to integrate further comments before the final written essay (in the form of a research paper).
Evaluation methods
Continuous assessment (50%):
  • Active participation in class in the discussions and comments on texts;
  • Oral presentation on a chosen topic linked with the course material. For this personal task, bibliographical research, compulsory analytical readings of critical and scientific articles and critical discussions of them; extensive text analysis; original, personal and scientific comments are expected from the participants.
Summative assessment (50%):
  • Personal research paper (on the basis of group or individual presentation) (30%);
  • Oral exam during the session, based on a discussion and defence of the personal research paper (20%). Links between the material covered in class and personal research work are expected.
Students will be evaluated on their command of the Dutch written language, their personal expression and knowledge of secondary research in the field and their correct use of academic bibliographic conventions.
Bibliography
Une bibliographie thématique accompagne le cours (voir Moodle)
Teaching materials
  • Anthologie de poèmes 'de stadsdichters'
  • Sites web
  • Articles scientifiques choisis
  • Hand-outs
  • Powerpoint
  • Documents multimédias
  • Moodle
Faculty or entity


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Modern Languages and Literatures : German, Dutch and English

Master [120] in Modern Languages and Literatures : General