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20th-21st Century Literature Seminar 2 - KLIT034

Title:	20th-21st Century Literature Seminar 2
Guaranteed by:	Department of Ecclesiastical History and Literary History (26-KCD)
Faculty:	Catholic Theological Faculty
Actual:	from 2024
Semester:	summer
E-Credits:	4
Examination process:	summer s.:
Hours per week, examination:	summer s.:0/2, MC [HT]
Capacity:	unknown / unlimited (unknown)
Min. number of students:	unlimited
4EU+:	no
Virtual mobility / capacity:	no
Key competences:	critical thinking, 4EU+ Flagship 2
State of the course:	taught
Language:	English
Teaching methods:	full-time
Note:	you can enroll for the course repeatedly course can be enrolled in outside the study plan enabled for web enrollment priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan

Guarantor:	Mgr. Klára Kudlová, Ph.D.
Teacher(s):	Mgr. Klára Kudlová, Ph.D.

Examination dates Noticeboard

Annotation -

The course focuses on several of the key Czech writers and playwrights of the 20th and 21st centuries - Egon Hostovský, Milan Kundera, Josef Jedlička, Jáchym Topol, Jiří Kratochvil, and Lenka Lagronová - through the reading and discussion of English translations of their works. The aim is to analyze selected dramatic and prose texts, develop critical thinking, and explore the transnational influence of Czech literature.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Aim of the course -

The aim of the course is to discover the influence European history had on the formation of Czech literary culture in the second half of the 20th century, to make the students understand its three forms, i.e. official, exile and samizdat literature, and last but not least to develop students' critical thinking, textual literacy and the ability to work with literary texts in English.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Descriptors

Knowledge:

The students have acquired and overall survey of the key Czech authors of the 20th and 21st centuries, of the topics which the Czech literature has dealt with and is dealing with.

Abilities:

The students are able to read, interpret and discuss novels, short-stories and dramatic pieces translated into English.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.01.2024)

Course completion requirements -

In order to receive the credit, the students are obliged to attend most of the seminars, to work and discuss actively in the seminar, to prepare a powerpoint presentation, and to gain higher textual literacy in English.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Literature -

Obligatory joint reading:

Závazná společná četba:

HOSTOVSKÝ, Egon. The Hideout. Transl. Fern Long. Random House, 1945.

HOSTOVSKÝ, Egon. The Migdnight Patient. Heinemann, 1954.

JEDLIČKA, Josef. Midway Upon the Journey of Our Life. Trans. Alex Zucker. 2016.

KUNDERA, Milan. Immortality. Transl. Peter Kussi. Faber and Faber, 1992.

TOPOL, Jáchym. Nightwork. Transl. Marek Tomin. Granta Books, 2014

TOPOL, Jáchym. The Devil’s Workshop. Tansl. Alex Zucker. Granta Books, 2013.

KRATOCHVIL, Jiří. The Vow. Transl. Charles Kraszewski. Glagoslaw Publication, 2021.

Czech Plays: Seven New Works. Ed. Daniel Gerould. Praha: IDU, 2009.

Complementing optional reading:

Čulík, Jan. “Vypisuju se z něčeho východoevropskýho.” Interview with Jáchym Topol and Alexander Zuzker. http://www.blisty.cz/files/isarc/0105/20010503d.html

Čulík, Jan. “Zaniklo nakladatelství Catbird Press.” http://www.blisty.cz/2004/6/18/art18585.html

Kovtun, Caroline. “City Sister Silver.” Review. http://www.ce-review.org/01/4/books4_kovtun.html

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Teaching methods -

During this course, specific novels, dramas, as well as secondary texts from the syllabus will be read. We will meet in the Microsoft Teams workspace. Each student will prepare a PPT presentation to target a specific topic during the seminar.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Requisites for virtual mobility

The subject is taught in English, it takes place as a hybrid seminar, on-line, the meeting platform being Microsoft Teams.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.01.2024)

Syllabus -

1. Egon Hostovský and the theme of WWII and Nazi occupation.

2. Egon Hostovský and the theme of Czechoslovak emigration in the USA.

3. Josef Jedlička as a collaborator of Radio Free Europe and author of novels.

4. Milan Kundera and the Czech and French phases of his novelistic work.

5. Jáchym Topol and Central European themes.

6. Jáchym Topol and the Václav Havel Library.

7. Jiří Kratochvil and the theme of communist totalitarianism.

8. Lenka Lagronová as a playwright focusing on issues of femininity.

9. Lenka Lagronová as a playwright focusing on issues of national identity and faith.

10. Contemporary paths of Czech literature to the world book markets and the stage.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)

Entry requirements -

Basic ability to read and discuss fiction and drama texts in English, willingness to prepare one power-point presentation. The students must be willing to improve their English on the fly, to engage in a reasonable amount of home preparation, not to have perfect English.

Last update: Kudlová Klára, Mgr., Ph.D. (06.12.2023)