Gender in Literature: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

In the course we investigate how literature has dealt with issues linked to gender by reading and analysing texts from different language areas and different periods of history. Focusing on geographical, linguistic and cultural aspects we study how gender has influenced literary creativity and how individuals of different genders have been depicted in literature. The course covers important questions, such as: Are sex and gender forms of identity that are expressed in literature, or something that we create when we write, read and interpret texts? Furthermore, is literature able to help us think beyond the binary system of gender? The texts which are dealt with in the course are written in different languages but are also available in English translations so that everyone can read and discuss them.