ELIT680 Love in Western Literature
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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English Language and Literature
Course Objectives
In the development of the Western cultural tradition love as a thematic motif or an object of philosophical and literary investigation has been a central concern. In this course we will track some of the more important changes in the treatment of love through the course of development of Western culture, focusing on particularly influential works that constitute high points in this development. We will look at love as a cultural artifact forged over a long period and in a variety of different cultural contexts to reach a better of idea of what love is, and isn’t. To introduce students to some of the key works that have shaped the European and American cultural inheritance, we will be reading works by such authors as Plato, Ovid, Shakespeare and Kierkegaard, who have been formative influences in the development of the European-inspirited cultural tradition that has, to a considerable extent, played a role in shaping some leading aspects of contemporary culture.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Texts to be studied (but not limited to): Plato's dialogues - Symposium; Phaedrus; Ovid - Metamorphoses (stories of Apollo and Daphne, and Apollo and Io, of Jason and Medea, of Orpheus and Eurydice); The Romance of Tristan and Iseult; Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Romeo and Juliet; Kierkegaard -Diary of a Seducer ; Sartre - Being and Nothingness; Simone de Beauvoir - The Second Sex; Paolo Coelho - Adultery.
Additional Literature
Teaching Methods
Weekly lectures; in-class discussions and group work; close reading
Individual work; student self-assessment and peer evaluation;
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | introduction to the course | |
| 2 | Plato on love and madness; desire, spirit and reason | Plato: Symposium |
| 3 | Socrates on the banquet of love | Plato: Symposium |
| 4 | Ovid on the transformations of nature and love | Ovid: Metamorphoses (stories of Apollo and Daphne, Apollo and Io; of Callisto; of Narcissus and Echo) |
| 5 | Ovid on derangements of love | Ovid: Metamorphoses (stories of Jason and Medea and Procris and Cephalus; of Procne and Philomela; of Orpheus and Eurydice |
| 6 | Ovid - influence on other writers | Metamorphoses (Songs of Orpheus - Pygmalion; Venus and Adonis; Atalanta and Hippomenes) |
| 7 | MID-TERM EXAM | |
| 8 | Courtly love: chivalry and invention of romantic love | The Romance of Tristan and Iseult |
| 9 | The Renaissance view of love | Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| 10 | The Renaissance tragedy of love | Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet |
| 11 | Kierkegaard and the aesthetics of seduction | Kierkegaard: The Diary of a Seducer |
| 12 | Sartre on the nature of consciousness; anguish and freedom | Sartre: Being and Nothingness |
| 13 | Sartre on concrete relations with others: love and sexual desire | Sartre: Being and Nothingness; Paolo Coelho: Adultery |
| 14 | Simone de Beauvoir on the myths, lived experiences and woman's situation and characters | Simone de Beauvoire: The Second Sex |
| 15 | revision |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4
In-class activity / presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 5
In-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4
Response paper/homework
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
Assignment / written
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home study
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Homework
6 hours ⏳ (2 week × 3 h)
Assignment
4 hours ⏳ (1 week × 4 h)
In-term exam study
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Final exam study
30 hours ⏳ (3 week × 10 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ELIT680] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| In-class activity / presentation | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3,5 | Not Allowed | |
| In-term exam | 1 | 20 | 3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Response paper/homework | 2 | 20 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| Assignment / written | 1 | 10 | 3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home study | 3 | 15 | 45 | |||
| Homework | 3 | 2 | 6 | Assignment | 4 | 1 | 4 | |||
| In-term exam study | 10 | 2 | 20 | Final exam study | 10 | 3 | 30 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||