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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 215"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
WM 8:30 AM 9:45 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.
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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 |
| How to Interpret Literature, Critical Theory for Literary and Cultural Studies, Third Edition | Parker, Robert Dale | Oxford University Press, 2015 | 978 0 19 933116 1 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 3 responses | short papers in which you demonstrate your ability to use a theoretical approach to analyse a text. | 45% |
| 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. | 10% |
| Study questions | Short quizzes to test your understanding of the various theoretical approaches | 25% |
-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.
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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
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Introduction to the course. Preliminary questions: New Criticism: reading, critical reading, theory.
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Parker, Chap. 2
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Week 2
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Structuralism; Saussure and Semiotics
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Parker, Chap. 3, pp.44-65
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Week 3
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Narratology |
Parker, Chap. 3, pp.65-83
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Week 4
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Structuralist reading of Little Red Riding Hood
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Week 5
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Psychoanalysis, Freud
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Parker, Chap 5, pp.112-129
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Week 6
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Psychoanalysis, Lacan
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Parker, Chap. 5, pp.130-146 |
Bruno Bettleheim, "The Uses of Enchantment"
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Week 7
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Psychoanalytical reading of Little Red Riding Hood |
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Week 8
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Marxism |
Parker, Chap. 8, pp.221-240 |
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Week 9
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Variations in Marxist Criticism |
Parker, Chap 8, pp. 241-284
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Week 10
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Marxist reading of Little Red Riding Hood
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Week 11
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Feminism
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Parker, Chap. 6, pp. 148-165
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Week 12
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Feminism
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Parker, Chap. 6, pp.165-183
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Simone de Beauvoir, Second Sex, "Introduction."
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Week 13
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Queer Studies
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Parker, Chap. 7, pp.185-217
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Week 14
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Feminist - Gender Studies reading of Little Red Riding Hood
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