Contemporary Northern Irish Fiction: The Troubles Narratives and Beyond - AAAPHD005E
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Course description:
The aim of the seminar is to introduce students to a selected range of contemporary Northern Irish fiction (focusing primarily on novels and short stories) and the “ghost” of the Troubles that, to an extent, seems to loom over these resent works. The discussion of individual texts and authors will address the specific use and representation of the conflict narrative, the diverse ways in which the theme and topics connected to it are employed, as well as distinct authorial attempts to diverge from it. The seminar will thus offer students a reflection on how much the Northern Irish conflict continues to permeate fictional texts published in the province since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998, and how it both inspires and hinders local writers. The course will begin with an introductory session, which will provide a brief historical summary of the conflict, as well as an overview of literary texts addressing it in the second half of the 20th century. The following sessions will then focus on a single author or text published after 1998. The structure of each class will include a brief introduction to the author and the related themes, a short student presentation of the assigned text, and a discussion. By the end of the course, students will have a broad understanding of recent trends in Northern Irish fiction, both in connection with the portrayal and utilization of Troubles narratives, as well as works that move beyond it. Although centered on the study of literature, the seminar also offers valuable reflections on contemporary 'post-conflict' society, making it equally relevant to students of cultural studies, politics, and history. Course form and value: - credit value: 5 ECTS - course type: seminar Assessment: - regular attendance (max 2 unexplained absences) - active participation in discussion (based on the assigned reading) and in question forum on Moodle (posting a question/comment related to the assigned reading latest by the previous Sunday) - a ten–minute, in–class presentation on the text provided for the week’s session - a final essay of 2,500–3,000 words on a topic chosen by the student and consulted with the lecturer Essays must include full bibliographical references and footnotes for all works cited or paraphrased in accordance with the Notes and Bibliography Chicago style (for basic guidelines, see https://ualk.ff.cuni.cz/students/essay-guidelines-2/). Students are advised not to use Internet sources in place of adequately researching texts available in print or in academic digital collections. Essays that have no research base or fail to cite sources transparently and appropriately (i.e., are plagiarised) will not be graded and will result in failing the course. Should an essay be unsatisfactory for reasons other than plagiarism, students have the opportunity to submit a rewrite on condition that the rewritten work is submitted with the marked original. All papers should include: - A title page (with your email address and if you are a visiting student the date by which you must have the credit) - Numbered pages and double spacing - Clearly marked paragraphs (either indent or leave a line) - Properly formatted sources and bibliography. Recommended literature: Cashman, Ray. Storytelling on the Northern Irish Border: Characters and Community. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 2011. Dawson, Graham. Making Peace with the Past? Memory, Trauma and the Irish Troubles. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2007. Edkins, Jenny. Trauma and the Memory of Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Frawley, Oona. Memory Ireland: Volume 3: The Famine and the Troubles. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 2014. Heidemann, Birte. Post-Agreement Northern Irish Literature: Lost in a Liminal Space?. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. Hughes, Eamonn. Culture and Politics in Northern Ireland, 1960-1990. Ballmoor: Open University Press, 1991. Keefe, Patrick Radden. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. London: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2019. Kennedy-Andrew, Elmer. (De-)Constructing the North: Fiction and the Northern Ireland Troubles since 1969. Dublin: Four Court Press, 2003. Kirkland, Richard. Identity Parades: Northern Irish Culture and Dissident Subject. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2002. —. Literature and Culture in Northern Ireland since 1965: Moments of Danger. London: Routledge, 1996. Magennis, Caroline. Northern Irish Writing after the Troubles: Intimacies, Affects, Pleasures. London: Zed Books, 2021 McGrattan, Cillian. Memory, Politics and Identity: Haunted by History. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. McKittrick, David. Making Sense of the Troubles. London: Viking, 2012. Parker, Michael. Northern Irish literature, 1956 - 1975: The Imprint of History. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. —. Northern Irish literature, 1975 - 2006: The Imprint of History. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. Syllabus: As the course aims to discuss novels and short story collections, the assigned texts will be provided scanned on Moodle. Week 1 (February 17) – Introduction Week 2 (February 24) – Jan Carson – The Last Resort (2021) Week 3-4 (March 3, March 10) – Anna Burns – Milkman (2018) Week 5 (March 17) – Wendy Erskine – Sweet Home (2018) Week 6-7 (March 24, March 31) – David Park – The Truth Commissioner (2008) Week 8 (April 7) – Lyra McKee – Lost, Found, Remembered (2021) Week 9 (April 14) – no class Week 10 (April 21) – no class Week 11 (April 28) – Adrian McKinty – The Cold, Cold Ground (2012) Week 12 (May 5) – selected stories from The Black Dreams, ed. by R. Chamberlain-King Week 13 (May 12) – final session and discussion Important Deadlines: Sundays – submit a question/comment on Moodle forum May 11 – submit proposed essay topic to instructor via email June 15 – submit final essays Poslední úprava: Gemrichová Marie, Mgr. (06.02.2025)
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