This module introduces Russian Formalism and its distinction from hermeneutics. Key discussions include:
Students will gain an understanding of how these distinctions shape literary interpretation in Russian literature.
This module introduces the foundational concepts of literary theory and its relationship to philosophy, literature, and modern criticism. Professor Paul Fry navigates through major philosophical inquiries, examining:
By situating these ideas historically, the module sets the stage for understanding the evolution of literary theory in the twentieth century.
Continuing the exploration of literary theory, this module delves into the complex interplay of skepticism and determinism within discourse. Key elements include:
The discussions challenge the authority of literary texts and the roles of authors and readers.
This module focuses on hermeneutics, the theory of interpretation and understanding in literature. Professor Fry discusses:
By analyzing these elements, students will gain insight into the interpretive processes that shape literary understanding.
This module continues the discussion on hermeneutics, focusing on the relationship between reading and interpretation. Key topics include:
Through this exploration, students will appreciate the critical premises that influence literary canon formation.
In this module, the origins of formalist literary criticism are examined, particularly through the lens of New Criticism. Key points include:
This module provides a critical foundation for understanding the formalist approach to literary texts.
This module further explores formalism, focusing on the implications of Wimsatt and Beardsley's theories through practical literary examples. Topics covered include:
The module concludes with Cleanth Brooks's ideas on unity within literary texts.
This module introduces Russian Formalism and its distinction from hermeneutics. Key discussions include:
Students will gain an understanding of how these distinctions shape literary interpretation in Russian literature.
This module delves into semiotics and structuralism, focusing on Ferdinand de Saussure's foundational contributions. Key topics include:
Students will learn how semiotic theory informs literary analysis and understanding of texts.
In this module, students explore the intersection of linguistics and literature through the work of Roman Jakobson. Key discussions will cover:
This module emphasizes the significance of linguistic theory in the study of literature.
This module introduces deconstruction, focusing on Jacques Derrida's influential theories. Key components include:
Students will engage with foundational concepts that challenge conventional literary interpretation.
This module continues the exploration of deconstruction, focusing on Paul de Man's contributions alongside Derrida's theories. Key points include:
This module aims to deepen understanding of deconstruction's role in literary theory.
In this module, Professor Fry examines the interplay between Freud's theories and literary creation. The key topics include:
By the end of the module, students will understand the psychological dimensions influencing literary production.
This module delves into Jacques Lacan's psychoanalytic critique within literary theory. Key discussions include:
Students will gain insights into how Lacanian thought informs literary analysis.
This module introduces the concept of the postmodern psyche through the works of Deleuze, Guattari, and Žižek. Key topics include:
Students will explore how these theories shape contemporary understandings of literature and culture.
This module examines the social dimensions of literature through the works of Bakhtin and Jauss. Key discussions include:
Students will learn how social contexts influence the interpretation of literary works.
This module explores the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory, concentrating on the works of Adorno and Benjamin. Key areas of focus include:
Students will understand how critical theory informs the relationship between art and society.
This module examines Fredric Jameson's "The Political Unconscious," exploring Marxist literary criticism. Key discussions will include:
Students will engage with the interplay of literature and politics through Jameson's theories.
This module introduces the New Historicism through the works of Greenblatt and McGann. Key discussions include:
Students will understand how historical contexts shape literary interpretation and critical approaches.
This module covers the classical feminist tradition in literary criticism, focusing on Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. Key topics include:
Students will gain insights into the evolution of feminist criticism and its significance in literary studies.
This module examines trends in African-American criticism, focusing on the contributions of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Toni Morrison. Key discussions include:
Students will explore the intersections of identity, culture, and criticism within African-American literary studies.
This lecture delves into post-colonial theory, focusing on influential figures like Edward Said and Homi K. Bhabha. The discussion begins by examining the term "post-colonial," highlighting its complex origins and definitions. Key concepts explored include:
Additionally, the lecture applies Elaine Showalter's phasic development theory to the representation of female identities within post-colonial contexts. The interplay between Bhabha's sly civility and Gates's concept of "signifyin'" is analyzed, emphasizing the semiotic foundation of both theories.
This lecture focuses on queer theory and the concept of gender performativity, primarily through the lenses of Judith Butler and Michel Foucault. Key aspects of the discussion include:
Moreover, the lecture explores Butler's ontological concerns, drawing comparisons to Levi-Strauss's ideas on the raw and the cooked. The session concludes with a critical examination of identity politics, contrasting Butler's arguments with perspectives from post-colonial and African-American theorists.
This lecture examines the institutional construction of literary study through the works of Stanley Fish and John Guillory. The discussion begins with an analysis of Tony the Tow Truck, which serves as a case study for understanding literary identities. Key points include:
The session also addresses the ongoing debates surrounding the Western canon and multiculturalism, highlighting how institutional frameworks shape literary interpretation.
This lecture engages with neo-pragmatism as articulated by Knapp and Michaels in their pivotal article "Against Theory." The discussion covers several key areas:
Through this exploration, the lecture argues for the necessity of theory in literary studies, challenging the notion that theory is irrelevant or detrimental to understanding literature.
In this concluding lecture, Professor Fry revisits and synthesizes the key themes of the course, focusing particularly on the relationships among language, speech, intention, and communication. The exploration covers:
The session emphasizes the central role of language in understanding diverse literary theories and reflects on the course's overarching themes.