Skip Navigation
search: People | Departments | Penn State | Web
Penn State mark
Penn State mark

University Bulletin

Graduate Degree Programs

Comparative Literature (CMLIT)

CMLIT 438 (IL) Fantastic Worlds: International and Comparative Perspectives (3) A comparative, international study of fantastic worlds in literature and visual culture.

CMLIT 438 Fantastic Worlds: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
(IL)

This course will explore a wide range of “fantastic” narrative voices, crossing the boundaries of genres, periods, and nations, through literary and visual texts from the 19th century to contemporary eras, and from Asia to Americas. Students will examine various types of literary techniques and concepts, such as magic realism, grotesque realism, the absurdity, the fantastic, etc., and learn how texts best capture/grasp the
nature of “realities” in their creation of “fantastic” worlds. Students will develop more profound understanding of literatures through global lenses, develop and refine critical thinking, in speech and writing, and comparative methods of literary analysis, and develop communications skills in essays, response papers, class discussions, presentation and research papers.

Instructional objectives:
1) Students will develop more profound understanding of literatures through global lenses
2) Students will develop and refine critical thinking, in speech and writing, and comparative methods of literary analysis
3) Students will develop communications skills in essays, response papers, class discussions, presentation and research papers


General Education: None
Diversity: IL
Bachelor of Arts: None
Effective: Summer 2010
Prerequisite: 3 credits in literature

Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.