ENH4620

Literary theory

(ART)

C Probyn

12 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Clayton

Synopsis: This subject offers a detailed study of modern theories of literary criticism, concentrating on the period 1950 to the present, and covers topics including: formalism, structuralism, deconstruction, phenomenology, Freudian and Jungian approaches to interpretation. Weekly topics for discussion will include speech act theory, repetition, dialogism, archetypes, signified and signifier, hermeneutics, feminocentric reading, metafiction and the narcissistic narrative. No previous theoretical knowledge is assumed, but the subject is appropriate for students already interested in asking questions of a general nature about the practice of literature and interpretation.

Assessment: Exercise or book review (2000 words): 20% + Seminar paper (2500 words): 20% + Essay (4500 words): 50% + Seminar participation: 10%