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Literature and the Practice of Comparative Literature

Code: 100254
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Spanish and Chinese Studies: Language, Literature and Culture OP 4
Spanish Language and Literature OP 3
Spanish Language and Literature OP 4
English Studies OP 3
English Studies OP 4
English and Catalan Studies OP 3
English and Catalan Studies OP 4
English and Spanish Studies OP 3
English and Spanish Studies OP 4
Catalan and Spanish Studies OP 3
English and French Studies OP 4
English and Classics Studies OP 3
English and Classics Studies OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Meri Torras Frances
Email :
meri.torras@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Miriam Ruiz-Ruano Risquez

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Taking into account that the student has proved to acquire the basic competences by obtaining the credits corresponding to the basic and compulsory training subjects, it would be mandatory to show it with oral and written correctness.For this reason, any spelling and expression mistakes that may be committed will lead to a score decrease in the final grade.
 
The activities, practices and papers submitted in the subject must be original and under no circumstances will plagiarism of published materials from any means be admitted. The occasional submission of non-original material without a proper reference of its origin will automatically lead to the mark of "Suspenso" (0).
 
Likewise, it is considered that the student knows the standard rules of academic writing and work. However, the student can apply the specific rules that the teacher of the subject may indicate if it is necessary.

Objectives

Theory and practice of comparative literature is part of the minor in Comparative Literature. The purpose of the subject is that the student becomes familiar with the concepts, methods and practices of comparative literature. The student must:
 
  • To be able to write and value the contributions of comparative literature in areas such as historiography, the study of literary genres, the study of topics and literary relations.
  • To know which relations of comparatism have been with Literary Theory and with other disciplines, especially since the paradigm change of the 80s
  • To know which are the new comparative approaches tendencies and to be able to explain which are their contributions in relation to older paradigms;
  • To learn how to apply in a proper manner the acquired principles and methods in the cultural analysis of texts of different types.

Learning outcomes

  1. Summarise the knowledge acquired about the origin and changes experienced by the different fields of study in the discipline.
  2. Offer argument on different topics and literary problems about different works and evaluate all the results.
  3. Identify and explain the basic characteristics of literary texts.
  4. Apply different instruments of analysis to different kinds of literary works.
  5. Comment on literary texts, applying the instruments acquired, taking account of the historical and sociocultural context.
  6. Interpret literary works critically taking into account the relations between the different areas of literature and its relation to human, artistic and social areas.
  7. Use the adequate terminology in the construction of an academic text.
  8. Present work in formats adapted to demands and personal styles, both individual and in small groups.
  9. Draw up a plan for carrying out work on a subject.
  10. Identify the relationship between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
  11. Identify the key elements in the Western cultural tradition from the nineteenth century to the current day.
  12. Identify and explain the basic characteristics of the interpretation process.
  13. Resolve tasks about authors, methods and trends in comparative literature, relating to it knowledge of other humanistic disciplines.
  14. Evaluate the result with the argumentation on different topics and literary problems with regard to different works.
  15. Solve problems related to the methods of studying different literatures.
  16. Explain the basic characteristics of comparative literary texts.
  17. Identify the different literary elements and their insertion in different texts and discursive styles.
  18. Analyse literary texts using the different concepts and methods of comparative literature.
  19. Identify and explain the basic structures of literary works.
  20. Critically interpreting literary works taking into account the relationships between the different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
  21. Solving problems about writers, methods and currents of comparative literature, and connecting them with knowledge of other humanistic disciplines.
  22. Arguing about several issues and literary problems for the purpose of different works and the assessment of the results.
  23. Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
  24. Effectively communicating and applying the argumentative and textual processes to formal and scientific texts.
  25. Solving problems related to the study of different literatures.
  26. Explaining the basic characteristics of comparative literary texts.
  27. Analyse literary texts using the different concepts and methods of comparative literature.
  28. Use the skills acquired with autonomy.
  29. Express oneself effectively by applying argumentative and textual procedures in formal and scientific texts.
  30. Critically interpret literary works taking into account the relationships between the different fields of literature and their relationship with human, artistic and social areas.
  31. Argue on various literary themes and problems in relation to different works and evaluate the results.
  32. Identify and explain the basic characteristics of literary texts and the process of interpretation.
  33. Solve problems related to the study of different literatures.
  34. Identifying and explaining the basic characteristics of literary texts and the interpretation process.
  35. Autonomously search, select and process information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  36. Submitting works in accordance with both individual and small group demands and personal styles.
  37. Carry out tasks on authors, methods and trends in comparative literature, relating knowledge of other disciplines in the humanities.
  38. Solve problems related to the theoretical foundations and the main concepts in the study of literary criticism.
  39. Analysing literary texts using different concepts and methods of comparative literature.
  40. Use traditional sources to collect, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of literary theory.
  41. Use digital tools to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of literary theory.
  42. Present written work or oral presentations on the main concepts of literary theory.
  43. Express oneself effectively by applying argumentative and textual procedures in formal and scientific texts.
  44. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  45. Solve problems related to the theoretical foundations and major concepts in the study of literary criticism.
  46. Explain the basic characteristics of the compared literary texts.
  47. Use digital tools to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of literary theory.
  48. Effectively communicate and apply the argumentative and textual processes to formal and scientific texts.
  49. Critically interpret literary works take into account the relationships between different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
  50. Argue about several issues and literary problems for the purpose of different works and the assessment of the results.
  51. Solve problems about writers, methods and currents of comparative literature, connecting them with knowledge of other humanistic disciplines.
  52. Argue a case regarding several literary topics and problems arising from different works and evaluate the results.
  53. Resolve tasks on authors, methods and trends in comparative literature by drawing on knowledge of other humanistic disciplines.

Contents

Theory and Practice of Comparative Literature


Code 100254


 Contents


 Introduction to the bases and methods of literary comparatism. Brief historical review of the discipline’s different approaches. Knowledge, reflection and use of the concepts and methods of comparative literature in a dialogue with literary theory. Analysis of texts, issues and problems of literary studies from a comparative and cultural approach, typical of the new paradigm (since the 80s).


 Topic:


1- Problems and proposals for the delimitation of the discipline. The paradigm shift in literary studies


Comparative literature and the objections that have defined the discipline: national/supranational, unity/diversity, local/universal. Comparative fields: supranationality, internationality, universality, interdisciplinarity, difference. The comparability. Relation of comparative literature and between theory of literature. The paradigm shift of the 80s in literary studies.


Reading: text file (Campus Virtual)


2-Literary historiography, periodization and comparatism


What does writing history of literature entail? Assumptions of literary history: relations of history with past, present, narrativity and ideology. National literary history and nationalism. General literary history and canon. Criteria for periodization and historical-literary cataloguing. Categories, terminologies and implications. The universality of History. The idea of evolution. The concept of genealogy (Foucault). The archive.


Reading: text file (Campus Virtual)


3-Literary relations: the influenceon intertextuality. The translation


The notion of influence and other related concepts. Towards overcoming the concept of influence: intertextuality.


The limits of intertextual analysis. Issues of subjectivity and authority in literary relations. Translation as an intertextual phenomenon. The tyranny of the original. The unavoidable need for rewriting.


Due appropriations: translation and canon; translation and national literary history. Prominence of studies of/on translation in recent comparatism.


Reading: text file (Campus Virtual)


4-The study of genres and forms


The formal elements and the literary object. The notion of genre: classification criteria, historical criteria.


Conventions. Genre and paratexts. The law of genre. Study of a practical case.


Readings:


Text file (Campus Virtual)


 5-Study of topics and literary motifs


The notion of topic and related concepts. The textual indications. Thematology and comparatism: supranational study of themes and motifs; interdisciplinary study of topics and motifs. The continuation and transformation of topics: rewritings. Study of a practical case.


Readings:


Text file (Campus Virtual)


6-Comparatism and postcolonial studies


Eurocentrism of traditional models of comparatism. West/east relations. Imperialism, language and literature. Cultural brand in methods and tools of literary analysis. National identity and comparative literature. Dangers of precolonial mythification. Multiculturalism, mestizaje and hybridism. Analysis of a text.


Readings: 


Text file (Campus Virtual)


7-Comparatism and studies of gender, ethnicity and sexuality.


The criticism of difference. The centrality and the periphery. Around a difference. Creation, representation and profitability of the stereotype. Dynamics inside/outside. The irreducibility of the difference. Claims of the prefix RE-. Strategic essentialisms. Subaltern voices. The danger of institutionalization. Analysis of a text.


Readings:


Text file (Campus Virtual)


 


 


 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Master classes, oral presentations and assesment 60 2.4
Tutoring (scheduled in advance) 15 0.6
Lecture preparation, exams, courseworks 75 3

 

The learning achievement of this subject by the student is distributed as follows:

 

  • Guided activities (10%). Lectures  with ICT support and debates in a big group.
  • Supervised activities (40%). Individual presentations. Guided review or course work (individual or group). 
  • Individual activities (50%). Comprehensive and critical reading of literary and theoretical texts. Schemes, conceptual maps and summaries making.

 

 

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Participation in the classroom 10% 0 0 23, 40, 41, 42, 47
Exam 2 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Exam 1 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Short Test 10% 0 0 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 32, 35

Students:

  • Students are required to complete two examinations during the semester, each accounting for 40% of the final grade.
  • Students must complete a multiple-choice test (10% of the final grade) based on an article from the course bibliography previously designated by the instructor.
  • Active participation in class accounts for 10% of the final grade.

Any irregularity committed by a student that may lead to a significant alteration in the assessment of an evaluation activity will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for that activity, without prejudice to any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If several irregularities are detected in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0 (zero).

At the time each assessment activity is carried out, the instructor will inform students (via Moodle) of the grading review procedure and the date for grade review.

Erasmus students who request to take an examination earlier than scheduled must provide the instructor with written documentation from their home university justifying their request.


SINGLE ASSESSMENT

Students who choose the single assessment option must complete two final examinations (40% each) and a multiple-choice test on the course bibliography (20%), which will take place in the instructor's office. These assessment activities will be held during the first week of June 2027.


RESIT PROCEDURE

To be eligible for the resit assessment, students must previously have completed assessment activities corresponding to at least two-thirds of the total course grade (CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT), or have completed all the assessment activities required under the SINGLE ASSESSMENT system.

Students taking the resit examination will only be required to resit those assessment activities they have failed, according to the assessment system they have chosen.


CONDITIONS FOR THE "NOT ASSESSED" GRADE

Students will receive a "Not Assessed" (NA) grade if they have completed 30% or less of the assessment activities.


PLAGIARISM OR ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Any irregularity committed by a student that may lead to a significant alteration in the assessment of an evaluation activity will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for that activity, without prejudice to any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If several irregularities are detected in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0 (zero).


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage of this course. Any assignment containing AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will receive a grade of 0 (zero). Such assignments will not be eligible for reassessment, and more severe disciplinary sanctions may be imposed in serious cases.

Bibliography

Specific bibliography of each subject:

It will be specified throughout the course and the dossiers and the obligatory readings will be delivered

(some of them already appear in the content of this teaching guide).

 

General bibliography:

Anthropos [monográfico: Teoría de la literatura y literatura comparada. Actualidad de la expresión literaria], 196 (2002).

Bassnett, Susan. Comparative Literature. A Critical Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1993.

Bernheimer, Charles. Comparative Literature in the Age of Multiculturalism. Baltimore and London: The Johns

Hopkins University Press, 1995.

Brunel, Pierre y Yves Chevrel. Précis de Littérature Comparée. Paris: Puf, 1989.

Clausen, Christopher. \"National Literatures in English: Toward a New Paradigm\", New Literary History, 25

(1994): 61-72.

Clüver, Claus. \"The Difference of Eight Decades: World Literature and the Demise of National Literatures\".

Yearbook of Comparative and generla Literature 35 (1986): 14-24.

Curtius, Ernst Robert. Literatura europea y Edad Media latina.Vols. I y II. México: FCE, 1984.

Derrida, Jacques. Universidad sin condición. Trad. Cristina de Peretti y Paco Vidarte. Madrid: Trotta, 2002.

Fokkema, Douve W. \"La literatura comparada i el nou paradigma\", trad. Enric Bou, Els Marges 40 (1989):

5-18.

Gnisci, Armando (ed.). Introduzione alla letteratura comparata. Milano: Mondadori, 1999. [traducció castellana

de Luigi Giuliani. Barcelona: Crítica, 2002]

Guillén, Claudio. Entre lo uno y lo diverso. Introducción a la literatura comparada. Barcelona: Crítica, 1985.

Hunter, Lynette. Literary value / cultural power. Verbal arts in the twenty-first century. Manchester: Manchester

UP, 2001.

Marino, Adrian. Comparatisme et théorie de la littérature. Paris: Puf, 1988.

Moore, Alexandra S. & Goldberg, Elizabeth S. (eds.) Teaching Human Rights in Literary and Cultural Studies.

New York: MLA, 2015.

Remak, Henry H. H. \"Comparative Literature. Its definition and Function\". Comparative Literature: Method and

Perspective. Ed. Newton P. Stalknecht. Carbondale: Southern Illinois Press, 1971: 1-57.

Romero López, Dolores (ed.). Orientaciones en literatura comparada. Madrid: Arco libros, 1998.

Saussy, Haun (ed.) Comparative Literature in an Age of Globalization. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins UP,

2006.

Schmeling, Manfred. Teoría y praxis de la literatura comparada. Trad. Ignacio Torres Corredor. Barcelona:

Alfa, 1984.

Spivak, Gayatri Ch. Death of a discipline. New York: Columbia UP, 2003.

Valdés, Mario J. (ed.) Toward a Theory of Comparative Literature. Selected papers presented in the Division of

theory of Literature at the Xith International Comparative Literture Congress. New York, Bern, Frankfurt, Paris:

Peter Lang, 1990.

Vega, María José y Carbonell, Neus(eds.). La literatura comparada: principios y métodos. Madrid: Gredos,

1998.[MANUAL]

Villanueva, Darío; Domingo, César y Saussy, Haun. Lo que Borges le enseño a Cervantes. Madrid: Taurus,

2016.

Weisstein, Ulrich. Introducción a la literatura comparada. Trad. María Teresa Piñel. Barcelona: Planeta, 1975.

Wellek, René y Wallek, Austin. Teoría literaria. Madrid: Gredos, 1981.

 

Software

Office.

Microsoft Team's Platform & One Drive.

UAB Moddle/Campus virtual.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed