EUS4310 ¨C Cognitive Poetics

Course content

This is an elective master¡¯s course developed within the Literature, Cognition, and Emotions research and teaching initiative.

Course content

This course provides an overview of the key concepts of cognitive poetics by first introducing the field and subsequently concentrating on a set of interrelated concepts, each of which is explained and explored by studying literary texts belonging to various genres and literary periods.

The concepts focused on include metaphor, metonymy, image schemata, and embodiment. We discuss the notion of conceptual metaphor in literature studies, specifically focusing on the conventionality and creativity of metaphors, and the relation of metaphor to blending (conceptual integration), embodied simulation, image schemata, and iconicity. The last two concepts are discussed beyond metaphor: image schemata as an inherent part of narrative representations, and iconicity as a process by which a product of human cognition connects with some aspects of the experienced world.

Further categories discussed include figure and ground, deixis and viewpoint, and multimodality. All the notions will be revisited in the concluding seminar session(s) on literary creativity.

The originals of all the literary texts discussed are either English or Norwegian, and, if not, translations are provided of the excerpts discussed. Students are encouraged to engage with the course topics by studying texts of their own choice, in which case translations of the text excerpts relevant for the general discussion in the seminars should be provided.

In addition to traditional teaching methods, we will use and further develop a full range of digital teaching materials, including short video lectures such as those already available on the LCE website (https://www.hf.uio.no/english/research/strategic-research-areas/lce/studies/digital-teaching-materials.html

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you will:

• Have learned about interdisciplinary research connecting literature, linguistics, and psychology
• Have gained an understanding of the main ideas and concepts of cognitive poetics;
• Be able to analyze literary texts by applying these concepts;
• Have an understanding of how our cognitive capacities underlie writing and understanding literature;
• Have learned how to use an analytical toolbox that can be used for studying literature regardless of the language of the literary text.
• Master skills, tools, and concepts relevant to effective communication and textual and discourse analysis in general.

Admission to the course

The course is open to students enrolled in master¡¯s programs at ILOS. Students enrolled in other master¡¯s programs can apply for admission to the course if this is approved by their own academic program.

The course is designed as part of the teaching component developed in the framework of the Literature, Cognition and Emotions research and education initiative (Faglige prioriteringer III).

This course is for students admitted to the master programmes European Languages (master)?and Allmenn litteraturvitenskap (master).

Students enrolled in other master`s degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is approved by their own study programme.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 10 weeks.

Obligatory activity:

It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60 % of the teaching. In this course, you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

In order to qualify for the exam (submission of term paper) students must submit a preliminary draft of their term paper by a stated deadline. Your preliminary draft must be accepted by the teacher in order for you to hand in your exam.

You are expected to come prepared to each seminar. This means that you have completed the assigned reading and any other assignments given in the reading pack.

You should be prepared to contribute to discussions throughout the term.

Examination

The form of assessment is a term paper 10 standard pages long. You will be offered individual term paper supervision. You are expected to work on the assignment throughout the entire semester. This includes submitting an abstract and reference list.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.