ENH4620

Literary theory

C Probyn

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, 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 (1500 words): 20%
* Seminar paper (1500 words): 20%
* Short essay (1500 words): 20%
* Long essay (4500 words): 40%.

Prescribed texts

Literary theory 2 vols, Department of English, Monash U, 1997
Jefferson A and Robey D Modern literary theory 2nd edn, Batsford, 1986

Recommended texts

Sarup M An introductory guide to poststructuralism and postmodernism 2nd edn, Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993

Reference text

Hawthorn J A concise glossary of contemporary literary theory Edward Arnold, 1992