Representations of genders in the Slovenian literature

This course is part of the programme
Master in Slovene Studies - Literary Science

Objectives and competences

Students adopt knowledge and competences in reading and literary interpretation related to the gender representations and gender constructions in the literary works. They develop the ability of critical reading and knowledge transfer into the other fields, where the critical approach is also important. They are aware of the gender as the important factor in constitution of symbolic order on different levels, especially in the literary texts. In this way the students develop sensibility for detecting hidden mechanisms, which create traditional hierarchies in the field of gender identity.

Prerequisites

Succesful study is vertically connected with other topics in the field of literary history taught in the mandatory courses Slovene Literature I, II, III. At the horizontal level, the subject is related to other courses concerning literary history and criticism. It is also connects with the subjects from the field of linguistics.

Content

The subject is related to the subject Feminist literary criticism, the knowledge of the latter is acquired. In the lectures the important Slovenian and other studies about gender in literary works will be presented. It will be touched upon the notion of literary genre in relation to the gender. The questions about the constructions of genders in the literary texts, film and media will be raised and discussed.

Intended learning outcomes

The students acquire basic notions in the field of literary history, related to gender studies. They are able to critically discuss literary periods, movements, trends and to ciritcally think about the relation between sex/gender and the writing process.

Readings

  • Silvija Borovnik: Samorastnice v Samorastnikih. Sodobnost 41/1993, 11—12, 995—1005.
  • Silvija Borovnik: Tema ženske v prozi Mire Mihelič. V: Marko Kravos (ur.): Mavrica nad zapuščino. Ljubljana: Slovenski center PEN, Ljubljana: 2000. 21—34.
  • Blanka Bošnjak: Vloga stereotipov v sodobni slovenski kratki prozi. Jezik in slovstvo. 50/2005.1. 25-36.
  • Katja Mihurko Poniž: Materinstvo kot umetnostni motiv in njegova upodobitev v povesti Samorastniki. Jezik in slovstvo. 46/2000/01 1—2. 5-18.
  • Katja Mihurko Poniž: Drzno drugačna. Zofka Kveder in poodbe ženskosti. Ljubljana: Delta, 2004.
  • Katja Mihurko Poniž: Labirinti ljubezni v slovenski književnosti od romantike do druge svetovne vojne. Ljubljana: Sophia, 2008.
  • Katarina Tomazin: Strindberg, antifeminizem in slovenska literatura. Primerjalna književnost. 20/1997. 1. 21-42.
  • Alojzija Zupan Sosič: Na literarnem otoku Berte Bojetu. Jezik in slovstvo 43/1997/98,7—8, 315—330.
  • Alojzija Zupan Sosič: Spolna identiteta in sodobni slovenski roman. Primerjalna književnost. Letn. 28, št. 2 (2005), str. 93-113.
  • Alojzija Zupan Sosič: Homoerotika v najnovejšem slovenskem romanu. Jezik in slovstvo. 50, št. 3/4 (maj-avg. 2005), str. [5]-16.
  • Metka Zupančič: Feministična proza: miti in utopija. Primerjalna književnost 18/1995, 2, 1—6.

Assessment

Seminar work (70%) Oral exam (30%)

Lecturer's references

Dr. Katja Mihurko Poniž is a Full Professor in Literature at the School of Humanities of the University of Nova Gorica. Her research interests include: new approaches in literary sciences (predominantly gender studies), intercultural contacts, literary geography, Slovenian drama. In the field of Slovenian literature research, her attention is devoted to the works of women writers.

MIHURKO PONIŽ, Katja. Labirinti ljubezni v slovenski književnosti od romantike do II. svetovne vojne, (Zbirka Sodobna družba, 2008, 20). Ljubljana: Sophia, 2008. V, 254 str. ISBN 978-961-6294-93-5. [COBISS.SI-ID 238032384]
MIHURKO PONIŽ, Katja. Nation and gender in the writings of Slovene women writers : 1848-1918. Aspasia, 2008, vol. 2, str. 28-43. [COBISS.SI-ID 931323]
MIHURKO PONIŽ, Katja. Tujci in tuje v romanih : Prišleki in Francoski testament. Dve domov.. [Tiskana izd.], 2010, [Št.] 31, str. 153-167. [COBISS.SI-ID 31567405]
MIHURKO PONIŽ, Katja. Die Macht der männlichen literarischen Eliten und ihr Einfluss auf der Kreativität der slowenischen Autorinnen. V: GIERZINGER, Georg (ur.), HÖLZL, Sylvia (ur.), RONEN, Christine (ur.). Spielformen der Macht : Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven der Macht im Rahmen junger slawistischer Forschung, (Conference Series). 1. Auf. Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press, 2011, str. 377-393.