Syllabus
English 3900 Critical Approaches to Literature, Spring 2012
TR 2:00-3:15PM, Arts & Sciences 353
Dr. Alex E. Blazer faculty.gcsu.edu/webdav/alex_blazer/ 478.445.0964 |
Office Hours: MW 4:55-5:25PM Arts & Sciences 330, T 1:00-1:45PM Arts & Sciences 330, R 1:00-1:45PM Blackbird, and by appt |
The undergraduate course catalog describes English 3900 as "A course studying a variety of critical approaches to selected literary texts. Required for graduation with literature concentration." In this course, we will survey most of the current theoretical approaches to literature: New Criticism, structuralism, poststructuralism and deconstruction, psychoanalysis, and Marxism and cultural studies. We may cover feminism and gender studies, queer theory, African American criticism, ecocriticism, cognitive criticism, reader-response criticism, and postcolonial criticism, depending on student selection. For each theory, we will first gain a critical overview from Lois Tyson's Critical Theory Today. Next, we will read representative theoretical articles collected in Vincent Leitch's The Norton Anthology of Criticism and Theory. Finally, we will discuss representative works of criticism on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and interpret T. S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" through the lens of theory. Students will keep a critical reading journal applying the theories to a work of literature; and they will post both a theoretical article summary and a critical reading to the class discussion board and then informally present the responses to the class. The three exams will test students' understanding of the theory as well as their ability to apply the method in literary interpretation. Groups of 3-4 students will present a theory to the class.
This course's Academic Assessment page describes our topics:
- Critical approaches to literature, including postcolonialist, feminist, New Historical, reader response, and deconstruction;
- Canon formation and literary history;
- The application of these various approaches to selected literary texts;
- Literary analysis and interpretation; and
- The use of key terms applied to literary texts.
as well as course outcomes:
- Understand a variety of modern critical approaches to literature;
- Identify these critical approaches by their assumptions, methods, discourse, and/or conclusions;
- Discuss the relative merits and weaknesses of various critical methods;
- Apply several of these critical approaches in closely reasoned and well supported and documented analyses and interpretations of selected literary texts;
- Articulate their critical views clearly in writing and in speech.
Note that this course's prerequisite is English 2200 or permission of the department chair.
required (GCSU Bookstore or Amazon.com)
Brontë, Jane Eyre (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism)
Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Leitch, ed., et al: The Norton Anthology of Criticism and Theory, 2nd ed.
Tyson, Critical Theory Today, 2nd ed.
recommended
Gibaldi, MLA Handbook, 7th ed.
Macey, The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory
required (online)
supplemental articles
Assignments and Grade Distribution
article summary, 5%
You will summarize on GeorgiaVIEW and then informally present to the class one theoretical essay.
critical reading, 5%
You will read on GeorgiaVIEW and then informally present to the class your interpretation of a work of literature applying the ideas of one theoretical essay.
reading journal or blog, 10%
You will keep a reading journal or blog that interprets an outside work of literature from the range of positions held by the various theorists studied in class.
group presentation, 10%
Groups of 3-4 will formally present a critical theory to the class.
3 exams, 20%, 25%, and 25%
These three exams, the first in-class, second in-class and take-home, and third take-home, will test your knowledge of key concepts as well as your ability to apply critical approaches in interpretations of works of literature.
Class Preparation and Participation
I expect you to come to class having read, annotated, and reviewed the assigned reading. Moreover, you should prepare at least two comments and two questions for each reading. We're going to be working with challenging texts; therefore, we'll all benefit from sharing our ideas and questions. If I feel that you're not participating because you're not keeping up with the reading, I will give quizzes.
Office Hours and Email
I encourage you to stop by my office hours to discuss any aspect of the course. I'm happy to answer minor questions such as due dates over email, but I prefer face-to-face conversations for more substantive topics like papers and exams. Please use etiquette in both email and in person.
Technology
We will be using GeorgiaVIEW for assignment submission. Check your university email for course-related messages. Use an online backup or cloud storage service such as Dropbox to save your work.
Attendance
Any student who misses seven or more classes for any reason (excused or unexcused) will automatically failure of the course. There will be a one letter final grade deduction for every unexcused absence beyond three. I suggest you use your three days both cautiously and wisely; and make sure you sign the attendance sheets. Habitual tardies, consistently leaving class early, texting, and surfing the internet will be treated as absences. Unexcused absences include work, family obligations, and scheduled doctor's appointments. Excused absences include a death in one's immediate family, one's own medical emergency, religious observance, and participation in a college-sponsored activity. If you have a medical condition or an extracurricular activity that you anticipate will cause you to miss more than four days of class, I suggest you drop this section or risk failure. You can check your attendance online. A note about religious observances: Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student is a member without academic penalty. Exercising of one's rights under this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code. Students who miss class in observance of a religious holiday or event are required to make up the coursework missed as a result from the absence. The nature of the make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Failure to follow the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy. The full policy and prescribed procedures can be found here.
MLA Style and Length Requirements
While in-class exams, discussion board responses, informal/journal writing, and peer review may be informally formatted, formal assignments and take-home exams must adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. One-third of a letter grade will be deducted from a formal paper or take-home exam for problems in each of the following three categories, for a possible one letter grade deduction total: 1) header, heading, and title, 2) margins, font, and line-spacing, and 3) quotation and citation format. A formal paper or take-home exam will be penalized one-third of a letter grade if it does not end at least halfway down on the minimum page length while implementing 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1" margins. Each additional page short of the minimum requirement will result in an a additional one-third letter grade penalty. Before you turn in a formal paper, make sure your work follows MLA style by using the checklist on the MLA style handout. I encourage students to use my MS Word template.
Late Assignments
There will be a one letter assignment grade deduction per day (not class period) for any assignment that is turned in late. I give short extensions if you request one for a valid need at least one day before the assignment is due. I will inform you via email if I cannot open an electronically submitted assignment; however, your assignment will be considered late until you submit it in a file I can open. Failing to submit an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade within a five days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course. Failing to submit a final exam or final paper within two days of its due date will result in automatic failure of the course.
Academic Honesty
The integrity of students and their written and oral work is a critical component of the academic process. The Honor Code defines plagiarism as "presenting as one's own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student. Students should document quotes through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment." The submission of another's work as one's own is plagiarism and will be dealt with using the procedures outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. Allowing another student to copy one’s own work is considered cheating; and submitting the same paper in two classes (recycling or double-dipping) is dishonest. As plagiarism is not tolerated at GCSU, any student found guilty of substantial, willful plagiarism or dishonesty will fail the assignment and the course. Click here to see how I have dealt with plagiarists in the past. This course uses plagiarism prevention technology from TurnItIn. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.
Passing or Failing of the Course
There are three ways to fail the course: 1) failing to regularly attend class, 2) plagiarizing, 3) failing an assignment that is worth 15% or more of the course grade, be it from poor quality, lateness of submission, or a combination of poor quality and lateness. By contrast, students who regularly attend class, complete their work with academic integrity, and submit assignments on time will pass the course.
Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability
If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Lanier Hall at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a free service available to all members of the university community. Consultants assist writers in the writing process, from conception and organization of compositions to revision to documentation of research. Located in Lanier Hall 209, the Center is open Monday through Friday. Call 445-3370 or email writingcr@gcsu.edu for more information.
Fire Drills
Fire drills will be conducted annually. In the event of a fire alarm, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the building. Do not use elevators. If you encounter heavy smoke, crawl on the floor so as to gain fresh air. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count on the front lawn of main campus or other designated assembly area. For more information on other emergencies, click here.
Student Opinion Surveys
Given the technological sophistication of Georgia College students, the student opinion survey is being delivered through an online process. Your constructive feedback plays an indispensable role in shaping quality education at Georgia College. All responses are completely confidential and your name is not stored with your responses in any way. In addition, instructors will not see any results of the opinion survey until after final grades are submitted to the University. An invitation to complete the online opinion survey is distributed to students near the end of the semester. Your participation in this very important process is greatly appreciated.
- This schedule is subject to change, so check back in class and online for possible revisions.
- At some points in the semester, we may have to slow to focus on one theorist while not fully covering the other assigned theorist for the day.
- For every theoretical article you read, select one passage that you can explain in your own words and one passage you have questions about.
- Use The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory as a reference for key terms.
New Criticism and Russian Formalism Overview: Tyson, "Everything You Wanted to Know" (Tyson 1-10) Overview: Tyson, "New Criticism" (Tyson 135-50) Theory: Eliot, "Tradition and the Individual Talent" "The Metaphysical Poets" (Leitch 951-68) Criticism: Tyson, "A New Critical Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 150-168) |
||
Theory: Ransom, "Criticism, Inc." (Leitch 969-82) Theory: Brooks, "The Heresy of Paraphrase" (Leitch 1213-29) Primary Text: Eliot, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" |
||
Theory: Wimsatt and Beardsley, "The Intentional Fallacy" "The Affective Fallacy" (Leitch 1230-61) Theory: Eichenbaum, from The Theory of the "Formal Method" (Leitch 921-51) Criticism: In Class Activity: Eliot and New Criticism |
||
|
Overview: Tyson, "Structuralist Criticism" (209-33) Theory: Saussure, from Course in General Linguistics (Leitch 845-66) Criticism: Tyson, "A Structuralist Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 234-48) Primary Text: Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby |
||
Theory: Jakobson, "Linguistics and Poetics" from "Two Aspects of Language and Two Types of Aphasic Disturbances" (Leitch 1141-56) Theory: Frye, "The Archetypes of Literature" (Leitch 1301-15) |
||
Theory: Todorov, "Structural Analysis of Narrative" (Leitch 2021-30) Theory: Barthes, from Mythologies "The Death of the Author" (Leitch 1316-31) |
||
Criticism: In Class Activity: Reviewing the Theories |
||
Poststructuralism and Deconstruction Overview: Tyson, "Deconstructive Criticism" (Tyson 249-66) Overview: Murfin, "What Is Deconstruction?" (Brontë 536-45) Theory: Barthes, "From Work to Text" (Leitch 1316-31) Criticism: Tyson, "A Deconstructive Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 267-80) |
||
|
Theory: Foucault, "What Is an Author?" from Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison from The History of Sexuality (Leitch 1469-1521) |
|
|
Theory: Derrida, from Of Grammatology from Dissemination from Specters of Marx (Leitch 1680-44) |
||
Week 7 |
Theory: de Man, "Semiology and Rhetoric" (Leitch 1361-78) Criticism: Schwartz, "No Place Like Home: The Logic of the Supplement in Jane Eyre" (Brontë 536-64) |
|
Theory: Austin, "Performative Utterances" (Leitch 1286-1301) Theory: Butler, from Gender Trouble (Leitch 2536-53) |
||
Theory: Baudrillard, from "The Precession of Simulacra" (Leitch 1553-66) |
||
|
Overview: Tyson, "Psychoanalytic Criticism" (Tyson 11-38) Overview: Murfin, "What Is Psychoanalytic Criticism?" (Brontë 502-12) Theory: Freud, from The Interpretation of Dreams from "The Uncanny" "Fetishism" (Leitch 807-45) Criticism: Tyson, "A Psychoanalytic Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 39-52) |
||
Theory: Bloom, from The Anxiety of Influence (Leitch 1648-59) Theory: Lacan, "The Mirror Stage" "The Signification of the Phallus" (Leitch 1159-69, 1181-9) Criticism: Sadoff, "The Father, Castration, and Female Fantasy in Jane Eyre" (Brontë 502-35) |
||
Theory: Kristeva, from Revolution in Poetic Language (Leitch 2067-81) Theory: Deleuze and Guattari, from A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia (Leitch 1454-62) |
||
Theory: Mulvey, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" (Leitch 2081-95) Theory: Žižek, "Courtly Love, or, Woman as Thing" (Leitch 2402-27) |
||
|
Overview: Tyson, "Marxist Criticism" (Tyson 53-68) Overview: Murfin, "What Is Marxist Criticism?" (Brontë 599-11) Theory: Marx and Engels, "The Communist Manifesto" (online) Criticism: Tyson, "A Marxist Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 69-82) |
||
Theory: Trotsky, from Literature and Revolution (Leitch 877-92) Theory: Lukács, from The Historical Novel (Leitch 905-21) |
||
Theory: Benjamin, "The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility" (Leitch 1046-71) Theory: Horkheimer and Adorno, from "The Culture Industry" (Leitch 1107-27) Criticism: Fraiman, "Jane Eyre's Fall from Grace" (Brontë 599-632) |
||
No Class: Spring Break |
||
No Class: Spring Break |
||
Theory: Althusser, from "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses" (Leitch 1332-61) Theory: Jameson, "Postmodernism and Consumer Society" (Leitch 1846-60) Criticism: Michie, "White Chimpanzees and Oriental Despots: Racial Stereotyping and Edward Rochester" (Brontë 565-98) |
||
|
Overview: Tyson, "Feminist Criticism" (Tyson 83-119) Theory: Gilbert and Gubar, from The Madwoman in the Attic (Leitch 1923-38) Theory: Rich, from "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" (Leitch 1588-1609) Theory: Woolf, from A Room of One's Own (Leitch 892-905) Criticism: Tyson, "'. . . Next they'll throw everything overboard . . .': A Feminist Reading of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 120-34) |
||
Theory: Smith, "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" (Leitch 2221-37) Theory: Bordo, from Unbearable Weight (Leitch 2237-54) Criticism: Gilbert, "Plain Jane's Progress" (Brontë 475-501) |
||
Group Presentation 2 Existentialism Overview: Solomon, "Existentialism" (online) Theory: Sartre, "Why Write?" (Leitch 1196-1213) Theory: de Beauvoir, from The Second Sex (Leitch 1261-73) |
||
Overview: Dufrenne, "Existentialism and Existentialisms" (online) Overview: Kahn, "What Does a Critic Analyze? (On a Phenomenological Approach to Literature)" (online) Theory: Heidegger, "Language" (Leitch 982-98) |
||
Group Presentation 3 Reader-Response Criticism Overview: Tyson, "Reader-Response Criticism" (Tyson 169-190) Theory: Iser, "Interaction between Text and Reader" (Leitch 1521-32) Theory: Fish, "Interpreting the Variorum" (Leitch 1970-92) Criticism: Tyson, "Projecting the Reader: A Reader-Response Analysis of The Great Gatsby" (Tyson 190-207) |
||
Theory: Bleich, "The Subjective Character of Critical Interpretation" (online) Theory: Holland, "To David Bleich" (online) Theory: Holland, "Unity Identity Text Self" (online) |
||