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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 215"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2020
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:20-9:40 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Designed as an introduction to the theoretical approaches to literature, the course will stimulate students to think and write critically through the study of the principal topics of literary theory. The course will adopt both a historical approach, covering each theory in the chronological order of its appearance on the scene, and a critical approach - putting the theories to the test by applying them to a literary text. The course will also help students to move on to an advanced study of literature by introducing them to the research methods and tools for the identification, retrieval, and documentation of secondary sources.This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 200-level literature classes are required to produce 4-5,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Students will learn to identify and employ the principal theories of literature and develop their own critical skills, approaching cultural texts in an theoretically informed way, using research methods and writing critical papers of academic quality. Students will also learn to take into due consideration the interactions between literature, history, politics, cultures and theory. Students will test their understanding of the various theories by performing critical readings of a single text from different theoretical perspectives.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This class will demonstrate the extent to which a single text can appear radically different depending on the theoretical approach through which it is read. Studying the key elements and terminology of each literary and cultural theory, students will exercise their critical skills as they experiment how to effectively use theory to analyze cultural texts.
On completing this course students will be able
- to approach a text from a theoretic point of view
- to focus on form rather than content
- to research effectively and write critically
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TEXTBOOK:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
The Routledge Companion to Critical and Cultural Theory, second edition | Simon Malpas and Paul Wake | Routledge 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-0415668309 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
The Routledge Critical and Cultural Theory Reader | Neil Badmington and Julia Thomas | Routledge, 2008 | 9780415433099 | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
2 papers | 1500 words papers in which you demonstrate your ability to analyse a text from a given theoretical perspective | 50% |
Final exam | | 20 |
Class contribution | Participation in weekly forum discussions, study questions and other activities | 30% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than 4 classes it will impact your grade (1/4 of a grade per absence, e.g. from A to A-) and if you miss 7 or more you will fail the class. Silent attendance does not count as class participation.
Students are required to follow some basic class rules: to arrive punctually, to stay in class for the whole period of the lesson, to refrain from using their mobile phones and laptops.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Session |
Session Focus |
Reading Assignment |
Other Assignment |
Assignment and Exam Dates |
Week 1
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Introduction to the course. Preliminary questions: New Criticism: reading, critical reading, theory.
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Week 2
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Structuralism; Saussure and Semiotics
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Week 3
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Propp, Jakobsen, Barthes
Structuralist reading of Little Red Riding Hood |
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Week 4
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Marxist theory |
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Marx, "Preface (to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy)", 1859. |
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Week 5
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Variations in Marxist Criticism, Gramsci, Althusser, Benjamin |
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Benjamin, Gramsci, Althusser |
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Week 6
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Psychoanalytic Theory |
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Bruno Bettleheim, "The Uses of Enchantment" |
1st Home Paper
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Week 7
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Feminism first waves: Wollestonecraft, Woolf |
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Woolf, "A Room of One's Own", Simone de Beauvoir, Second Sex, "Introduction."
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Week 8
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Feminism later evolutions |
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Week 9
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Queer and Gender Studies: Foucault, Butler |
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Butler, "Imitation and Gender Insubordination." (1991). Foucault, from The History of Sexuality
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Week 10
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New Historicism and Cultural Studies: Foucault, Greenblatt, Baudrillard |
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Foucault: "Panopticism."
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2nd Home Paper
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Week 11
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Colonial and Postcolonial studies: Said, Bhaba, Fanon
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Homi K. Bhaba, Signs taken for Wonders |
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Week 12
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Race and Ethnicity studies |
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Tony Morrison, Playing in the Dark |
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Final exam |
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