ENG 4934 Summer 2020 Ward

This course is intended to introduce you to various schools of theory that inform current literary and cultural studies, and to enable you to use the work of theorists in your own readings of a wide range of texts in this course and beyond. Meeting these objectives involves the following:

• Building a critical/theoretical vocabulary;
• Attaining a basic understanding of and conversance with theoretical concepts contained in course readings;
• Demonstrating that understanding when reading, discussing, and writing about assigned texts.

How well you meet these objectives will be measured by your performance in class discussions and on quizzes, papers, and a final exam.

In putting together the course, I have tried to provide a pragmatic focus. In addition to selecting Robert Dale Parker’s How To Interpret Literature as an introductory primer for understanding critical theory, I have included writings by the theorists themselves to give you a sense of the richness and range of different theoretical schools. Weekly film viewings will provide opportunities to apply the concepts introduced in course readings. Each film—selected for its use of “gothic” conventions—is offered as a provocative text, open to multiple critical readings and interpretations. To facilitate the practical application of theoretical concepts, and to help organize and articulate your critical responses, we will engage in various exercises designed to hone your writing skills. Refining these skills—developing strong thesis statements, analyzing textual evidence, incorporating theoretical vocabulary—will benefit you not only in this class, but in other courses as well.