Literary Criticism and Analysis: ENG 2213-004

Literary Criticism and Analysis: ENG 2213-004

TR 9:30AM, MB 1.204

Faculty and Office: Roberta Hurtado, MB 2.308

Office Hours:TR 10:45-1pmand by request

Course Description: In this course, we will explore poetry, prose, and drama alongsidemajor theories of the twentieth century. Theories we will examine include, but are not limited to, Postcolonial Theory, Feminism, New Historicism, and Marxism. Students will choose one theory to explicate for its major components and terminologies. Students are encouraged to incorporate outside works— including music, fashion, television shows, and movies—to enhance their understand of each theoretical perspective and assist class discussions of these theories. Students will also work in groups to present chosen theories. In addition to the Literary Criticism aspect of this course, we will also engage the course texts utilizing field specific language to enhance close reading skills. We will build upon these discourses to construct unique, researched final papers that each student personally chooses and develops. We will also probe deeper questions such as: what are the movements we see happening in regards to theories and identity formation? How is the human body and individual identity influenced by socio-political/ socio-historical contexts? How are these realities reflected by new emerging theories and what is the role of literature? This course is required of majors and fulfills the core curriculum component area for literature, and requires completion of CORE Curriculum requirements in rhetoric prior to enrollment.

Course Texts:

Abrahms, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 8th ed. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

Alexie, Sherman. Ten Little Indians. New York: Grove, 2003.

Allison, Dorothy. Bastard Out of Carolina. New York: Plume, 1992.

Angelou, Maya. Poems. New York: Bantam, 1993.

Anzaldua, Gloria. Borderlands/ La Frontera. 3rd ed. San Francisco, CA: Aunt Lute, 2007.

Castillo, Ana. Peel My Love Like an Onion. New York: Anchor, 1999.

Espada, Martin. Alabanza. New York: W.W. Norton, 2003.

Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 6th ed. New York: St. Martin’s, 2006/9.

Karnard, Girish. Three Plays. New York: Oxford UP, 1994.

Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2006.

Course Assignments for Grades:

Theory Explication 1 page write up = 10%

Theory Group Presentation= 20%

Mid-Term Exam= 10%

Class Participation= 20%

5-8pg Term Paper= 20%

Final Exam= 20%

* Grades can only be accessed in person or through ASAP.

*Extra Credit will be made available for specific activities when applicable.

Class Participation

This class is discussion based and designed to provide a platform for us to converse and debate over theories and texts in an environment conducive to learning. Students should plan to vocally contribute to each class. Class participation grades are based on these contributions (ie. have you spoken at least once a week?) and in-class writing assignments and group work that will be given during the course of the semester.

Scholastic Dishonesty Policy

According to Section 203.b of the UTSA Code of Conduct Handbook, “‘Scholastic dishonesty’ is any form of cheating or plagiarism that violates the Student Code of Conduct. Scholastic Dishonesty or academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to give unfair advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor, providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment), or the attempt to commit such an act.” Any instance of plagiarism that is found will result in an immediate “F” for the assignment, potentially a failing grade for the course, and judicial action. If you are concerned at any point in the semester that you might be broaching one of these areas, please speak to me prior to handing in your work so that we can determine how to remedy the situation.

Disabilities

Students who require special accommodations for in-class work must register with Disability Services. Please visit for more information.

Class Expectations

As per the course catalog for UTSA, all students arerequired to come to class prepared and ready to learn. You are expected to complete all reading assignments prior to class and have all hand-in assignments ready for submission. Please bring the required readings to class, as well as any worksheets or outside sources that will contribute to class discussions. Late work will not be accepted. No electronic submissions are accepted, except in extreme circumstances that must be negotiated with the professor. Neither texting nor cell phone calls are permitted in class: Please turn off your phone prior to class- it cannot be used during class.

Attendance Policy

You are allowed three absences for the semester. Any work missed during an excused absence must be electronically received by the professor by the end of the school day to receive credit, except where there are pending exigent circumstances. Each absence following your permitted three will reduce your final grade by 1/3 of a letter. Similarly, tardiness will also be counted towards your absences, with 6 lates representing 1 absence. Extra Credit will be offered throughout the semester to alleviate absences. Please ask professor for more information.

Schedule

Jan11th – Introduction, Syllabus Distribution, Class Expectation Contract

Jan13th – Canon Formation, Traditional Approaches, New Criticism, Reader Response, Chapters 5 and 6 Critical

Jan 18th–Marxism, Chapter 2 Critical and Review Handouts

Jan 20th– Martín Espada Poems, Pages: 93, 94, 117

Jan25th – Espada Poems Concluded, Pages: 73 and 152

Jan27th – Structuralist Group Presentations, Chapter 7 Critical

Feb 1st – Psychoanalytic Theory and Criticism, Chapter 1 Critical

Feb 3rd– Bastard Out of Carolina, Chapters 1-5

Feb 8th – Bastard Out of Carolina, Chapters 6-10

Feb 10th –Bastard Out of Carolina, Chapters 11-16

Feb15th –Bastard Out of Carolina, Chapters 17-finish

Feb17th – New Historicism and Cultural Materialism Presentations, Chapters 5Critical& Handouts

Feb22nd –Deconstruction Group Presentations, Chapter 8 Critical

Feb 24th –Postcolonial Theory, Contact Zones, Borderlands, and Transculturation

Chapter 12 Critical, Chapter 1 Borderlands, and Review Handouts

Mar 1st – Karnard Play

Mar 3rd – Karnard Play

Mar8th–African American Theory, Chapter 11 Critical

Mar10th– Mid-Term Exam

March 14-19- SPRING BREAK- HAPPY VACATION!!!!

Mar22nd– Angelou Poems, “The Calling of Names,” “On Working White Liberals,” “Africa,” “America”

Mar24th – Angelou Poems, The Pusher,” “Junkie Monkey Reel,” “My Arkansas,” “Through the Inner City,” “Ain’t That Bad,” “Slave Coffle”

Mar29th– Gender Studies, Chapter 10 Critical, Chapter 2 Borderlands

Mar31st– Feminist Theories, Chapter 3 Critical, Review Handouts

Apr5th – Peel My Love Like an Onion, Chapters 1-3

Apr7th– Peel My Love Like an Onion, Chapters 4-6

Apr12th – Peel My Love Like an Onion, Chapters 7-10

Apr14th – Ten Little Indians, “Search Engine”

Apr19th –Ten Little Indians, “What’s Been Pawned…”

Apr21st – Final Exam Preparation

Term Paper Due

Apr 27th – Final Exam Preparation

Apr 29/30 – University Study Days

FINAL EXAM: Monday 2-May 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

*This Syllabus is Subject to Change