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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 215"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00 AM 11:15 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:
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, using research methods and writing academic standard papers. You will also learn to take into due consideration the interactions between literature, history, politics, cultures and theory.
Using a selection of fairy-tales narrated by various authors, we will be testing how each theoretical approach produces startlingly different interpretations of the same text.
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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; how to make the most of the vast Database of online Journals available; how to effectively communicate your critical opinion in writing.
On completing this course you will have learnt
- 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 |
| Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory | Peter Barry | Manchester U.P. 3rd edition | 978-0719079276 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories | Angela Carter | Vintage Classics, 1995 | 978-0099588115 | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 4 responses | short papers in which you summarise a theoretical approach and demonstrate your ability to use it in critical reading of literary or cultural products. | 70% |
| Final exam | | 20% |
| Class contribution | generating questions that stimulate class discussion. Note that silent attendance does not contribute to this portion of the grade. | 10% |
-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 the c
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.
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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 |
Week 1
Jan 13 -15 |
Introduction to the course. Preliminary questions: reading, critical reading, theory.
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Week 2
Jan 20-22
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Liberal Humanism vs. Theory Theory and linguistics |
Read BT: chap.1 (particularly pp. 16-20 and pp. 33-35) |
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Week 3
Jan 27-29
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Saussure and Semiotics (the study of signs) Structuralism : Propp and Levi-Strauss |
Read Bt: chap. 2 |
Read LRRH by the brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault (link on MyJCU)
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Week 4
Feb 3-5
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Structuralist reading of Little Red Riding Hood
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Week 5
Feb 10-12
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Theory and the subconscious: psychoanalytic theory – Freud and the Pleasure principle |
Read BT: chap. 5. |
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Week 6
Feb 17-19
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Theory and politics 1: Marxist criticism and cultural materialism Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci, Frederic Jameson |
Read BT: chap. 8 |
1st Response due: psychoanalytical reading
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Week 7
Feb 24-26
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Marxist criticism continued |
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Week 8
March 3-5 |
Theory and Gender: Feminist criticism. Mid term warnings submitted |
Read BT: chap. 6 |
2nd Response due: Marxist reading
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Week 9
March 10-12 |
Gender Studies, Lesbian/gay criticism |
Read BT: chap. 7 |
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Week 10
March 24-26
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Theory and Contexts: New Historicism |
Read BT: chap. 9 |
3rd response: Feminist reading
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Week 11
Mar. 31- Apr. 2- 4
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Cultural Materialism |
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Week 12
Apr. 7-9 |
Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction |
Read BT: Chap. 3; J. Rivkin and M. Ryan, “Introduction”, handout |
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Week 13
Apr.14-16 |
Post-Colonial Criticism and Transnational studies |
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4th response: New Historicist
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Week 14
Apr. 23 |
Narratology |
Read BT: chap. 12 |
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