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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 215"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2013
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Grego Alessandra
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30-12:45
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:
Literary and Cultural Theories are the tools devised to interpret and understand cultural and literary artifacts. How does a text mean, rather than what does it mean; what cultural assumptions is the text making? Who is in control, if anyone, of textual meaning?
In a overview of the principle literary and cultural theories developed during the 20th century, students will learn how to read and think theoretically.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
You will learn to identify and employ the principal theories of literature and develop your own critical skills, thinking and writing about literature in an informed way through the use of research methods and processes of acquisition of critical documentation. You will also learn to take into due consideration the interactions between literature, history, politics, cultures and theory.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This class will help you to understand that multiple points of
view about one text are the norm and help you to develop your own
critical skills.The course is also designed to help you familiarize with research: how to look up critical texts other than by googling them, how to use the Frohring Library at JCU and the vast Database of online Journals it gives you access to, are necessary abilities for any university student that will prove useful in all your classes.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Beginning Theory: An introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory | Peter Barry | Manchester UP, 3rd edition | 978-0719062681 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class participation | Active participation to and initiation of class discussion. Silent attendence does not count as class participation. | 20% |
| Excercises and quiz tests: | 4 Responses: 1000 word papers in which you summarise a theoretical approach and demonstrate your ability to use it in critical reading of literary or cultural products. | 50% |
| Research paper | You will be asked to chose the critical approach which you find most useful and to write a research paper of maximum 8-10 pages demonstrating your ability to analyse the text provided by the light of the critical approach of your choice. | 30% |
| | ALL WRITTEN WORK WILL BE SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN | |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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 the course.
B: This 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.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This 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. You may miss two classes without any questions asked, should you miss more, you will be expected to provide a written justification (e.g. doctor's note). If you miss 4 classes this may impact your grade negatively and if you miss 7 or more you might fail the class
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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 | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| January Mon 14 Wed 16 | Introduction to the course. Preliminary questions: reading, critical reading, theory. Plato & Aristotles | | | |
| January Mon 21 Wed 23 | Liberal Humanism vs. Theory
Theory and linguistics | Read BT: chap.1 (particularly pp. 16-20 and pp. 33-35) | | |
| January Mon 28 Wed 30 Fri 1 | Saussure and Semiotics (the study of signs)
Structuralism : Barthes | Read Bt: chap. 2 | | |
| February Mon 4 Wed 6 | Barthes continued
In-class exercise: a Structuralist reading of “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe | Read “The Oval Portrait” by E.A. Poe (appendix 1 of BT, p. 318) | Daniel Chandler: Semiotics for beginners; Chasing Sings blog (links on MyJCU) | |
| February Mon 11 Wed 13 | Theory and the subconscious: psychoanalytic theory – Freud and the Pleasure principle | Read BT: chap. 5. | 1st Response due: structuralist reading of Little Red Riding Hood (link on MyJCU) | |
| February Mon 18 Wed 20 | Theory and politics 1: Marxist criticism and cultural materialism
Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci, Frederic Jameson | Read BT: chap. 8 | | |
| February Mon 25 Wed 27 | Marxist criticism continued | | | |
| March Mon 4 Wed 6 | Theory and Gender:
Feminist criticism. Mid term warnings submitted | Read BT: chap. 6 | 2nd Response due: Marxist reading of Little Red Riding Hood | |
| March Mon 11 Wed 13 | Gender Studies, Lesbian/gay criticism | Read BT: chap. 7 | | |
| March Mon 18 Wed 20 | Theory and Contexts: New Historicism | Read BT: chap. 9 | 3rd response: Feminist reading or Psychanalytical reading of Little Red Riding Hood | |
| April Wed 3 | Cultural Materialism | | | |
| April Mon 8 Wed 10 | Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction | Read BT: Chap. 3; J. Rivkin and M. Ryan, “Introduction”, handout | | |
| April Mon 15 Wed 17 | Post-Colonial Criticism and Transnational studies | | 4th response: a New Historicist reading of Little Red Riding Hood | |
| April Mon 22 Wed 24 | Narratology | Read BT: chap. 12 | | |
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