Over the past forty years, the evolutionary perspective has gradually developed into an explanatory framework that encompasses all things human: anatomy, physiology, behavior, and the products of the human mind. This course introduces students to the evolutionary study of prose fiction, graphic narratives, and film.In this course, students learn to integrate high-level causal principles of evolutionary biology, concepts of human nature deriving from the evolutionary human sciences, and a nuanced understanding of how meaning and effect are produced in specific works of literature and/or film.The course will be conducted as a seminar with lectures and class discussion. Students will be assigned responsibility for posting critical commentaries on the materials we read and watch, and students will be assigned days on which to identify discussion topics and lead discussion.Students should have a strong command of the English language and be committed to conscientious work during the course. No previous knowledge of evolutionary theory is required. Anyone with a good general education should be equipped to perform well in the course. No specific expertise in English or American literature is required.The course is pass/fail and can be taken as an MA level profile elective course. Successful participation in the course will consist in attending a minimum of 75% of classes, completing reading assignments, completing assignments for online postings on the course website, and contributing constructively to discussion in class.The course teacher, Professor Joseph Carroll, is the leading scholar in evolutionary literary studies and has published extensively in the field. Questions can be directed to the course organizer, Mathias Clasen: mc@dac.au.dk.

Course leader
Mathias Clasen: mc@dac.au.dk.

Target group
Master students with a relevant bachelor.

Credits info
9.9 ECTS Master's Level

Fee info
EUR 333: Price: Students holding a preapproval including exchange students do not pay for the course.ONLY Free-mover students and Tomplads students MUST pay for the course: Danish and EU/ES (tomplads): 333 EURNON-EU-ES students (free-mover): 998 EURBooks, course materials, social programme, and housing are not included in the tuition fee. Also be aware of course specific expenses mentioned in the description. EUR 998: Price: Students holding a preapproval including exchange students do not pay for the course.ONLY Free-mover students and Tomplads students MUST pay for the course: Danish and EU/ES (tomplads): 333 EURNON-EU-ES students (free-mover): 998 EURBooks, course materials, social programme, and housing are not included in the tuition fee. Also be aware of course specific expenses mentioned in the description.

Scholarships
No scholarships

Aarhus University
Address: International Centre, H%C3%B8egh Guldbergsgade 4-6
Postal code: 8000
City: Aarhus
Country: Denmark
Website: www.au.dk/summeruniversity
E-mail: dfs@au.dk
Phone: +4551335274