Literary theory
Clive Probyn
8 or 12 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
*
Clayton
Objectives Students who successfully complete this subject should have an advanced knowledge of the several theoretical positions which have radically re-shaped English studies in the last few decades. They should be able to read a variety of complex theoretical texts with understanding and with an ability to see their practical application to literary study, and as texts in their own right.
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, and phenomenological, Freudian, Jungian approaches to interpretation. Weekly topics for discussion will include speech act theory, repetition, dialogism, archetypes, signified and signifier, hermeneutics, supplementarity, 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 (8 points) Seminar paper (2500 words): 40%
* Essay (3500
words): 60%
Assessment (12 points) Exercise or book review (2000 words): 20%
*
Seminar paper (1500 words): 20%
* Short essay (2000 words): 20%
* Long
essay (3500 words) 40%
Prescribed texts
Literary theory 2 vols, Department of English, Monash U, 1996
Jefferson A and Robey D Modern literary theory 2nd edn, 1986
Recommended texts
Sarup M An introductory guide to poststructuralism and postmodernism 2nd edn, Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993
Reference
Hawthorn J A concise glossary of contemporary literary theory Edward Arnold, 1992
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