Introduction to Literary Studies 2

obligatory courses

Proficient command of English.

The ability to read literary criticism and theory in English.

Classroom

The course is a survey of different approaches to literary theory and criticism. It focuses on contemporary theories which have influenced our reading of and thinking about literature since the beginning of the twentieth century. It familiarizes students with the development of literary theory discourse in its historical and cultural context as well as with the most significant thinkers and concepts of each of the discussed approaches. Apart from this general introduction, each class examines an assigned theoretical text representative for the given approach. The assigned texts and discussed approaches provide students with a variety of tools and techniques of literary criticism.

The course is a survey of the main approaches to literary theory and criticism. It focuses on contemporary theories which have influenced our reading of and thinking about literature since the beginning of the twentieth century, such as Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Structuralism, Formalism, Poststructuralism, Deconstruction, New Historicism, Feminism, or Cultural Studies. It familiarizes students with the development of literary theory discourse in its historical and cultural context as well as with the most significant thinkers and concepts of each of the discussed approaches. Apart from this general introduction, each class examines an assigned theoretical text representative for the discussed approach. The assigned texts and discussed approaches provide students with a variety of tools and techniques of literary criticism.

Selected readings from the following sources:

Burzyńska, Anna i Michał Paweł Markowski. Teorie literatury XX wieku. Kraków: Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak, 2006.

Leitch, Vincent B., William E. Cain, Laurie A. Finke, ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.

Lodge, David. 20th Century Literary Criticism: A Reader. London: Longman, 1972.

Lodge, David, ed. Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader. London: Longman, 1988.

Richter, David H, ed. The Critical Tradition: Classic Texts and Contemporary Trends. Boston i New York: Bedford Press. 1998.

Rivkin, Julie, i Michael Ryan, red. Literary Theory: An Anthology. Wiley-Blackwell, 1998.

Selden, Raman, and Peter Widdowson. A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. New York: Pearson Longman, 2005.

Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. New York and London: Routledge, 2006.

Waugh, Patricia, ed. Literary Theory and Criticism: An Oxford Guide. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006.

Knowledge:

- basic command of twentieth-century and contemporary literary theory

- acquaintance with the assigned texts

Skills:

- the ability to apply the introduced theoretical tools in a literary analysis

Attitudes:

- aesthetic and ethical sensibility and increased awareness of cultural differences

In class discussions students acquire skills of expressing their thoughts in a clear, coherent, logical and precise manner, with the use of language which is correct grammatically, lexically and phonetically.

Requirements:

Continuous assessment (class preparation and participation): 20%

Midterm test: 30%

Final test: 50%

Attendance: no more than 3 absences allowed