The Introduction to Literary Study is structured as an overview of different genres of literature, which serves to introduce methods, central concepts, and historical and cultural contexts as central elements of literary study. The course aims to acquaint students with practices of literary study, namely the academic skills needed to deal with different kinds of texts, as well as to prepare presentations and term papers. The courses will focus on works by Anglophone authors from the UK, the US, and authors from the New English Literatures (for example from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, or New Zealand). For information on which specific texts are required by individual instructors see section "Literature". If no specific information is given there, the texts will be announced in the first course session.

Attendance of the first session is mandatory.