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Aesthetic Dimensions of Literary Studies : Multimodality and Creative Learning

Svensson, Anette LU orcid (2021) In NJES: Nordic Journal of English Studies 20(2). p.160-182
Abstract
In Sweden, the occurrence of fictional texts in various media formats, including TV series, films, and computer games, most of which are in English, is constantly growing. In an increasingly digitalised society, there is a need for teaching that understands and meets the demand for aesthetic values as well as multimodality and creativity. Highlighting the aesthetic dimension of literary studies, this article reports on a small-scale practice-based study that explores students’ experiences of working with a teaching unit that focuses on text universes, literary productions, and creative learning. It argues for an innovative type of course design with the potential to strengthen students’ engagement in, and their self-assessed understanding... (More)
In Sweden, the occurrence of fictional texts in various media formats, including TV series, films, and computer games, most of which are in English, is constantly growing. In an increasingly digitalised society, there is a need for teaching that understands and meets the demand for aesthetic values as well as multimodality and creativity. Highlighting the aesthetic dimension of literary studies, this article reports on a small-scale practice-based study that explores students’ experiences of working with a teaching unit that focuses on text universes, literary productions, and creative learning. It argues for an innovative type of course design with the potential to strengthen students’ engagement in, and their self-assessed understanding of, literary texts, which can inspire future English teachers to adopt similar approaches in their own teaching practice.


The teaching unit was included in a programme for upper-secondary subject teachers in English. The empirical data consists of 14 students’ responses to a questionnaire that was conducted after the completion of the unit. The study shows that although some students initially found the teaching unit challenging, they later acknowledged having acquired significant insights into their own and their peers’ creative processes. Because student autonomy and student responsibility are central aspects when teaching for creativity, the teaching unit provided the students with a model that addresses the what and the how of literature teaching and learning, a model that they themselves want to use in their future careers as English teachers at the upper secondary level. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
NJES: Nordic Journal of English Studies
volume
20
issue
2
pages
160 - 182
publisher
Göteborgs universitet, Nordic Association of English Studies
external identifiers
  • scopus:85130563525
ISSN
1654-6970
DOI
10.35360/njes.693
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
cb1deafa-fe86-4b4a-8ec9-4ca47d9327e1
date added to LUP
2025-09-02 15:49:07
date last changed
2025-10-14 10:28:13
@article{cb1deafa-fe86-4b4a-8ec9-4ca47d9327e1,
  abstract     = {{In Sweden, the occurrence of fictional texts in various media formats, including TV series, films, and computer games, most of which are in English, is constantly growing. In an increasingly digitalised society, there is a need for teaching that understands and meets the demand for aesthetic values as well as multimodality and creativity. Highlighting the aesthetic dimension of literary studies, this article reports on a small-scale practice-based study that explores students’ experiences of working with a teaching unit that focuses on text universes, literary productions, and creative learning. It argues for an innovative type of course design with the potential to strengthen students’ engagement in, and their self-assessed understanding of, literary texts, which can inspire future English teachers to adopt similar approaches in their own teaching practice.<br/><br/><br/>The teaching unit was included in a programme for upper-secondary subject teachers in English. The empirical data consists of 14 students’ responses to a questionnaire that was conducted after the completion of the unit. The study shows that although some students initially found the teaching unit challenging, they later acknowledged having acquired significant insights into their own and their peers’ creative processes. Because student autonomy and student responsibility are central aspects when teaching for creativity, the teaching unit provided the students with a model that addresses the what and the how of literature teaching and learning, a model that they themselves want to use in their future careers as English teachers at the upper secondary level.}},
  author       = {{Svensson, Anette}},
  issn         = {{1654-6970}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{160--182}},
  publisher    = {{Göteborgs universitet, Nordic Association of English Studies}},
  series       = {{NJES: Nordic Journal of English Studies}},
  title        = {{Aesthetic Dimensions of Literary Studies : Multimodality and Creative Learning}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.35360/njes.693}},
  doi          = {{10.35360/njes.693}},
  volume       = {{20}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}