What is literature? Who decides? What function does (or might) literature have in the world, and what limitations? Who determines the value of a literary work? How, and for whom? Does a literary work have a correct interpretation, or can it mean different things for different readers, at different times? Can every interpretation be valid? If so, what is literary "meaning?" If not, what standards have been (or may be) applied to the interpretation of written texts?

In this introductory class, students will become familiar with the history of literary criticism by studying texts in which such questions have been debated over several centuries. Students will practice applying the different methods critics have advocated to particular works of imaginative writing. The aim is to introduce students to a range of interpretive approaches and methods, beginning with ancient Greek thinkers and ending in the first half of the 20th century. Works of literary criticism will make up the bulk of student reading assignments; these are generally short but difficult, and careful presentations, mature engagement in class discussion, unannounced quizzes, and individual writing for British-style tutorial meetings will be required.