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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 215"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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:
Students will learn to identify and employ the principal theories of literature and develop their own critical skills, thinking and writing about literature in an informed way, using research methods and writing academic standard papers. Students 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 students to understand that multiple points of view about one text are the norm and develop critical skills and effectively communicate critical opinions in writing.
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 Literary Theory Handbook, 2nd edition | Gregory Castle | Wiley-Blackwood, 2013 | 978-0-470-67195-5 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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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. | 60% |
| Final exam | | 20% |
| Class contribution | Coming to class having read and considered the assignment, prepared to generate and contribute to class discussion. Note that silent attendance does not qualify as class participaion. | 20% |
| | PLEASE NOTE ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON TIME - A PENALTY OF 10% PER DAY WILL BE APPLIED TO LATE PAPERS. | |
-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 t
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 19-21 |
Introduction to the course. Preliminary questions: reading, critical reading, theory.
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Week 2
Jan 26-28
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Liberal Humanism vs. Theory
Theory and linguistics |
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Week 3
Feb 2-4
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Saussure and Semiotics (the study of signs) Structuralism : Propp and Levi-Strauss |
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Read LRRH by the brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault (link on MyJCU)
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Week 4
Feb 9-11
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Structuralist reading of Little Red Riding Hood
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Week 5
Feb 16-18
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Theory and the subconscious: psychoanalytic theory – Freud and the Pleasure principle |
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Week 6
Feb 23-25
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Theory and politics 1: Marxist criticism and cultural materialism Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci, Frederic Jameson |
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1st Response due: psychoanalytical reading
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Week 7
March 2-4
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Marxist criticism continued |
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Week 8
Mar 9-11 |
Theory and Gender: Feminist criticism. Mid term warnings submitted |
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2nd Response due: Marxist reading
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Week 9
Mar 16-18 |
Gender Studies, Lesbian/gay criticism |
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Week 10
Mar 23-25
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Theory and Contexts: New Historicism |
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3rd response: Feminist reading
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Week 11
Mar 30
Apr 1
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Cultural Materialism |
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Week 12
Apr 13-15
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Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction |
Read BT: Chap. 3; J. Rivkin and M. Ryan, “Introduction”, handout |
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Week 13
Apr 20-22
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Post-Colonial Criticism and Transnational studies |
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4th response: New Historicist
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Week 14
Apr 27-29
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Narratology |
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