Time Schedule:
Marianne T Stecher Hansen
SCAND 232
Seattle Campus
Influence of Hans Christian Andersen and the fairy tale on modern Scandinavian tales and stories. Investigates the significance of the fairy tale in modern world, with attentions to writers such as Isak Dinesen, Knut Hamsun, Villy Sorensen, William Heinesen.
Class description
This course focuses on the study of the literary fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. Andersen's world famous tales are situated in the context of the European fairy tale tradition ((Arabian Nights, Charles Perrault, the Grimm brother's tales, and Scandinavian folk-tales). Further, the course is an opportunity to study literary fairy tales as a genre within European Romanticism. The course investigates aesthetics, themes, social concerns and ideologies specific to Andersen's work, but also representative of the 19th Century as a transitional age. Finally, the course explores various critical approaches to reading and interpreting literary texts, including, but not limited to, Structuralist and Eco-critical approaches.
Student learning goals
A knowledge and understanding of the literary genre "fairy tale" in broad cultural, historical and literary contexts.
An introduction to various critical approaches to reading "fairy tales" and opportunities to exercise skills for interpreting and writing about literary texts.
An understanding of the subtle distinctions between biography and literary autobiography, as exemplified in works by and about Hans Christian Andersen.
A basic knowledge of eco-criticism (ecological literary criticism) and the ability to apply this approach to a specific body of texts.
A knowledge of some of the major currents of nineteenth-century European culture, literature and social history.
General method of instruction
The method of instruction consists of lectures (structured by powerpoint presentations or lecture outlines) and small group discussions (guided by specific discussion questions). Assigned reading required in advanced of each lecture.
Recommended preparation
Course is open to all undergraduates with an interest in literature, history, and criticism. No specific requirements; however, students with some previous training in the reading and interpretation of literature will likely have greater success in the course.
Class assignments and grading
Two critical essays are assigned, dealing with a choice of questions. In addition, two tests (consisting of objective questions as well as interpretative, short essays) are given during the quarter. The assignments are designed to evaluate students' ability to think and write critically about the assigned literary texts and secondary reading as well as to evaluate their knowledge of specific subject matter.
Grades are based on the following: 10%: Participation (Contributions to small group discussions); 30%: two in-class examinations; 60%: two critical essays (30% each).
