ENG 3014 Spring 2025 - Jaffe

Theory, with a capital T, refers to a broad range of intellectual approaches in literary and cultural studies, from structuralism and feminism to psychoanalysis, poststructuralism, and deconstruction. Some of these schools of thought complement each other, while others are mutually exclusive, and many are known for their complexity. Rather than exploring all of Theory’s challenging -isms and key figures, we’ll focus on a select group of compelling texts and ideas. This will help us trace important questions about literature, culture, and critical practices. Along the way, we’ll outline key concepts that will expand how you interpret literary, social, and cultural texts.