GRN4335

Theory and practice of literary criticism I: the theory

W Veit

4 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Corequisite: a fourth-year language core subject
* Prohibitions: CLS4000

Objectives On successful completion of this subject and GRN4345, students should have become aware of a number of classical and modern theories of literature and literary criticism, and should have learned to relate them to basic principles of understanding in the humanities and apply them to select texts of modern writing.

Synopsis Introduction to the theory of literary criticism. The subject will examine the theory of a number of the major schools in contemporary literary criticism: hermeneutics and reception theory; semiotics and structuralism; Marxism and critical theory; psychoanalytic criticism; post-structuralism, post-modernism and feminist literary theory.

Assessment Written (3000 words): 60%
* Classwork: 40%

Prescribed texts

Arnold H L and Sinemus V (eds) Grundzüge der Literatur- und Sprachwissenschaft vol. 1, Literaturwissenschaft dtv
Eagleton T Literary theory Blackwell
Goethe J W V Novelle Reclam
Raabe P Einführung in die Bücherkunde zur deutschen Literaturwissenschaft Metzler
Rice P and Waugh P (eds) Modern literary theory: A reader 2nd edn, Edward Arnold
Selden R A reader's guide to contemporary literary theory Harvester

Recommended texts

Bloch E and others Aesthetics and politics Verso
Eagleton T Criticism and ideology Verso
Freud S The interpretation of dreams Penguin
Gadamer H-G Truth and method Seabury
Habermas J Knowledge and human interest Heinemann
Innis R (ed.)Semiotics: An introductory anthology Indiana U P
Irigaray L This sex which is not one Cornell U P
Kamuf P (ed.)A Derrida reader Columbia U P
Lacan J Écrits Tavistock
Lodge D (ed.)Modern criticism and theory Longman
Moi T (ed.)The Kristeva reader Blackwell