Introduction to Literary and Cultual Theory
This course provides an exposure to the main discourses of Theory understood as literary and cultural theory. We will start with earlier formulations of the problem of interpretation with Plato and Aristotle and move on to modern and contemporary approaches. We will survey the main concepts of Formalism, Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Feminism and Deconstruction. Finally we will discuss Post-colonial studies, Cultural Studies and Queer Theory. We will use the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (second ed.. 2010) and the Bloomsbury Anthology of Aesthetics (2012).
Course Policies. The following will determine your final grade: 1) Attendance and participation: 15%, 2) Oral presentation: 15%, 3) Papers: 70%: first paper (8 pages, 30 %) and final paper, (12 pages, 40%). Paper topics are not assigned but will be discussed in class (an abstract will be provided one week before). Oral presentations should not exceed 20 minutes and should be accompanied by a one-page hand-out.