Digital Literary Studies

COURSE OBJECTIVE
• On the basis of a case study the student is able to reflect critically on the scientific implications of several literary-theoretical approaches.
• The student learns about the possibilities that both digital resources and digitized texts offer when researching literary texts.
• The student is able to use digital research techniques connected to literary studies, for instance for text analysis and annotation.
• The student can reflect on the values as well as the limitations that digital methods of research can offer in comparison with other methods.
• The student is able to report about her or his findings verbally as well in writing, in an appropriate academic style.

COURSE CONTENT
In this course you will learn to use digital methods to study literature. You will, for instance, analyse various forms in which literary texts are digitally available and you will probe what different methods of research exist to study literary texts digitally. We will focus on the question how you can use digital means to answer relevant literary questions, and for this you will explore one specific case study. On the basis of one literary text you will learn to differentiate between object and concept domains and you will be familiarized to the field of Literature & Science Studies. In this way you learn what added values digital tools can have for literary studies.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures, practicals, seminars.

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Course assessment is based on four graded written assignments. The final grade is derived from the weighted average of all graded assignments. There is no resit possibility for individual assignments assigments that get a low grade. Further requirements: (i) all assignments have to be handed in on time (see Canvas for the weekly deadlines); attendance of the seminar meetings is mandatory. N.B. The seminars can only be attended by students who have submitted their assignment in time via Canvas; (iii) active participation during the seminars. If you do not fulfill these requirements, or if you do not get a passing final grade, you will need to work out one or more extra assignments to complete the course successfully.