UCJAJNP041 Book Club

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Veronika Nogolová, PhD. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Veronika Nogolová, PhD.
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Supplier department: Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable of Seminar Groups
UCJAJNP041/A: each even Thursday 10:35–12:10 M13, V. Nogolová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is an interactive, discussion-driven course designed to expose students to a diverse range of literary texts, genres, and cultural contexts. Meeting bi-weekly or monthly, students will read and critically engage with one book per session— spanning a variety of genres. Each session will involve an in-depth discussion of the selected text, considering literary style, thematic concerns, cultural background, and formal experimentation. The course encourages students to broaden their reading habits, deepen their interpretive skills, and engage in collaborative literary analysis in an informal yet intellectually rigorous environment.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate familiarity with a diverse selection of novels and literary genres.
• Analyse how genre conventions influence narrative structure and themes.
• Engage confidently in analytical discussions of literary texts.
• Reflect on the cultural, historical, or social contexts shaping each novel.
• Develop broader literary awareness and reading habits beyond their academic focus.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course
  • 2. Selected book 1
  • 3. Selected book 2
  • 4. Selected book 3
  • 5. Selected book 4
  • 6. Selected book 5
  • 7. Course summary
Teaching methods
• Seminar-Based Discussions: Each meeting will be centered around group discussions of the novel of the week/month. Students will actively engage with the text, share insights, debate themes, and explore how genre influences storytelling. The seminar format encourages critical thinking and allows for a variety of perspectives to emerge from diverse students.
• Student-Led Discussions: To promote leadership and deeper engagement, students will take turns facilitating discussions. This will encourage them to read more actively, organize their thoughts, and foster a collaborative, peer-driven learning environment. Facilitators can guide the discussion by posing questions, highlighting key passages, and encouraging varied interpretations.
• Thematic Focus Groups: Some sessions may focus on specific thematic clusters, like identity in historical fiction or power dynamics in dystopian novels. These focus groups allow students to explore novels within specific contexts, comparing works within the same genre or thematic framework.
• Comparative Genre Analysis: Some sessions will involve comparing novels across genres. For example, students might discuss how themes of identity are explored differently in literary fiction vs. science fiction. This method helps students develop an understanding of genre conventions and how different genres approach similar topics.
• Short Written Reflections or Reading Journals: Encourage students to keep a journal where they write short reflections on each novel before the meeting. These could focus on their initial impressions, questions, or connections between the novel and broader themes. This writing practice encourages critical engagement with the text and prepares students for the group discussion.
• Collaborative Book Reviews or Multimedia Projects: Students can work together to create group reviews or multimedia projects (e.g., book trailers, YouTube videos, or podcasts) and share them via social media platforms. This can allow them to explore genre conventions and critique the novel in innovative formats while working together.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
-Povinná účast na seminářích min. 75%
-Aktivní účast na hodinách
-Reading response journal
-Collaborative Book Reviews or Multimedia Projects
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/winter2025/UCJAJNP041