English 301 FEE Clemens 103 |
Rick Feero |
Criticism The purpose of this course is to
introduce the craft of literary criticism, including the techniques of close
reading, cultural critique, and historical analysis; a variety of literary
theories; and strategies for researching, writing and revising critical
papers. We’ll seek familiarity with key journals in the field of
literary studies, with major critics, and with the use of manuscripts and
historical documents—both in the library and in on-line databases. In
short, English majors can use this class as an entrance into the discipline’s
conversations and codes, developing the cultural capital of literary
studies. We’ll read some heavily worked literary texts, including
selections from Doyle, Dickinson, Gilman, James, and Stevens, and
sample from a number of perspectives on these works, including
reader-response, feminist, psychoanalytic, deconstructive, new-historicist,
and Marxist criticism. In order to test this material and make it our
own, we’ll keep a common-place journal, engage in a weekly discussion board,
and write several shorter informal pieces that explore and interrogate the
readings. The main writing project will be researching, drafting,
reviewing and revising a 12 page formal essay that can take its place in the
field. Required Texts
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