English 110B - Fall, 2012

Introduction to Modern Literary and Critical Theory

Class Information

Instructor: Hudson, Laura
Time: TR 10:30-11:50
Location: 223 Olson

Description

 All literary interpretation has its basis in theory, whether it is overt or implied. Our goal in this course is to understand the methods through which we make meaning out of texts, and the social and historical contexts from which they emerge. This course will survey some of the foundational figures, texts and concepts in contemporary literary and critical theory beginning with the revolution of values in the mid-19th century and its effect on the relationship between society and literature. We will investigate how changing social conditions affect the interpretation of aesthetic forms. Among the topics we will address: history, ideology, the subject, value, power, language, gender, sexuality, race, colonialism, and nature.

Grading

Grading will be based on participation, in-class exercises, two papers, and a final exam.

Texts

Readings for this course will be contained in a course reader. Readings will survey foundational texts in Western philosophy and major schools of literary theory, focusing on 20th century developments including formalism, structuralism, poststructuralism, Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis, postcolonial studies, gender and queer theory, cultural studies, and ecocriticism.