ADVANCED LITERARY CRITICISM IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Course Description

This course provides students with an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of literary criticism. Course readings represent a wide range of methodologies and models for interpretation, including New Criticism, New Historicism, Feminism, Queer theory, and Postcolonialism, among others. Students will pursue advanced projects in literary criticism informed by their knowledge of the theoretical basis for their explorations and the practices of other literary and cultural critics. Although there are no specific prerequisites for the course, students will be expected to read and respond to challenging texts in both oral and written discussion, including reading responses and a large-scale (ten pages or more) work of scholarship.

Required Text

Leitch and Cain, et al., eds., The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, Third Edition W.W. Norton & Co.