Masterpieces of World Literature: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes & The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

What is the course about?

This in-college literature course will give you an introduction to texts often considered ‘masterpieces’ of world literature, as we read texts across centuries and national borders beyond the English-speaking world. This one-day course will focus on two Spanish-language literary classics: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. You’ll leave the course with a new appreciation and understanding of the world’s rich literary heritage in all its diversity and complexity.

What will we cover?

This course will introduce you to outstanding literary texts that are often considered ‘masterpieces’ of world literature – classic literary works that have circulated around the world, and been read far beyond their communities and nations of origin. We’ll traverse not only centuries, but also geographical locations from the English-speaking world and beyond, and languages other than English, to explore an extraordinarily diverse range of texts that could be considered part of the world’s literary heritage.

This course is designed to give you a flavour of literary traditions from around the world and possible routes for further reading. It can be taken as a stand-alone course or paired with HLT397 Masterpieces of World Literature, which focuses on African literature.

In reading these texts, we’ll also think about how we decide what constitutes a ‘masterpiece’ (a subjective and political term), and how we go about reading texts from such different historical periods, geographical locations and languages alongside each other. You’ll leave the course with a new understanding of these great literary texts, and a sense of literary traditions from across the world.

Content guidance: Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we would ask everyone to engage in group and class discussions with respect for all.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Understand some definitions of the term ‘world literature’

Identify and analyse key literary texts that are often considered classic works of world literature

Discuss key ideas and debates about how and why we read literary texts across cultures, language and national borders

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an introductory level course and no prior experience or knowledge is required, though all with an interest in the subject are welcome. 

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught through a mix of presentations from the tutor, group discussion, small group activities, and close reading and analysis, with encouragement to share your own responses and ideas about the texts.

You’ll be emailed extracts from the two texts to read before the class – you’ll get even more out of the class if you’re able to read the whole novels beforehand, but this is not compulsory.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need to read the extracts which will be emailed to you before the course.

If you wish to, you may buy or borrow a copy of the texts we will discuss, to bring with you, but this is not compulsory:

• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
• The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

You can use any edition of these texts.

Additionally, the tutor will supply digital materials, and extracts of other set readings and additional readings.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

This tutor will also be teaching HLT397 Masterpieces of World Literature: 20th Century Classics of Colonialism & Independence - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Look for other literature courses at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature