The course serves as an introduction to more advanced study of contemporary Dutch and Belgian history in the second year of study. An introductory course taught in the Spring Term of the first year. Weeks 1 to 4 are devoted to reading comprehension of set texts. Students complete reading reports to establish the degree of linguistic competence. In weeks 5 to 8 the amount of set reading increases.
Discussions focus on literary analysis.
Students offer short presentations, both written and oral. Weeks 9 and 10 are given to in-depth analysis of a set novella in the context of the author's work. Independent reading leads to a short essay. Weeks 11 and 12 are for revision and review. All texts read in class are reconsidered in chronological order and related to their social, political and literary context.