Students should already be familiar with Western philosophy and have acquired critical insight into the concept of the 'literary genre'. Familiarity with older Western literature is a plus .

An enhanced critical insight in the developments or, as the case may be, shifts in western thought on the nature and role of literature; an enhanced critical insight into  the relationship between historically fluctuating opinions on the nature and role of literature and the temporary dominance of rhetorical devices; an enhanced critical insight into the historical significance of a series of 'classics' of Western literature; the ability to discuss a series of post-modern legitimation issues.

In a series of stories, the course reconstructs i./ how Western thought on the nature and role of literature, as well as on the appropriateness and effectiveness of rhetoric devices, has developed since Plato and Aristotle, and ii./ how the foundation of this great tradition was rocked in the nineteenth century. The starting point for our exploration is a representational model borrowed from Jacques Derrida's grammatology. The central notion is the much-debated crisis of the book in our so-called image culture. From this perspective, and on the basis of a number of texts that are characteristic for the eras discussed, the course considers a number of crucial poetical shifts. The emphasis is on the interrelatedness of literary facts with their historical-material context.

The necessary study material shall be made available in due course, either on paper or via Blackboard.

J. den Boeft, F. Brandsma & T. Hoendelaars [eds.], Denken over dichten: dertig eeuwen poëticale reflectie, Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam, 1994.