FALL 2015
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Department of English
English 303: Critical Approaches to the Study of LiteratureGary Lim
Office / hours: MHRA 3309 / MWF 11.00-11.50
Tues / Thurs: By Appointment
Email: / ENG 303.3 WI
Subject Hours: 3
Schedule: MHRA 1210
Location: 12.00 – 12.50
Critical Approaches to the Study of Literature
What are some of the assumptions that inform how we analyze texts? Did we always read as we do today? Is there a difference in reading a text for pleasure and studying it for college credit? Why will two English professors have vastly different interpretations of the same poem? What defines English as a discipline? By studying several major areas of literary and critical theory we will begin to formulate answers to these questions. We will consider severalmajor approaches to the study of literature that came to the forefront of the American literary studies from the mid-twentieth century:New Criticism, structuralism, deconstruction, psychoanalytical theory, feminism and queer theory, and cultural-historical approaches. While we will spend a good deal of the course considering these theories in their own right, we will also study scholarly articles with an eye to exploring how they are applied to spark literary insight and develop arguments about interpretation.
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and understand the key terminology and characteristics of each "school" of literary theory;
- Distinguish between the key concerns of each critical approach as they relate to concepts of the author, text, interpretation, the reader, history, culture, and identity;
- Evaluate and understand scholarly criticism by recognizing its theoretical assumptions;
- Develop and apply techniques of literary analysis to texts;
- Draft, revise, and polish analytical papers and essays using theoretical concepts, textual evidence, structured arguments and persuasive reasoning;
- Conduct literary research by locating scholarly articles and incorporating secondary material in a research project.
Required Texts:
The UNCG Bookstore has the required books (also see note below):
- How to Interpret Literature: Critical Theory for Literary and Cultural Studies. 3rd Edition. Robert Dale Parker. Oxford Univ. Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0-19-933116-1
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Norton Critical Editions). Marie Borroff (Trans.) and Laura Howe (Ed.) W.W. Norton, 2009. ISBN 978-0393930252.
- Pdf files of theoretical articles: scanned and uploaded on course Canvas page.
Our primary textbook for the course is the How to Interpret Literature. We’re using the 3rd edition of the book.
A number of you may already have an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (in the same translation) if you own a Norton anthology. However, I’ve assigned this specific volume because we will read most of the literary criticism collected at the back of this edition.
In the event that a reading is not in either book, I've uploaded the .pdf file on Canvas. This is indicated in the schedule by [Can].
Attendance Policy
Students are allowed a maximum of four unexcused absences without a grade penalty. At my discretion, absences may be excused if documented by a professional (e.g. doctor, lawyer, etc.) For every absence beyond those allowed, students will be penalized 2 points from the "Attendance and Participation" score, to a maximum of 10%. In the event that you have a genuine crisis (such as serious illness or a death in the family), you should notify me and contact the Office of the Dean of Students (336 334-5514) / ( office will work with you (and your instructors) so that you receive the academic support for continued enrollment. You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which do not count toward your total. If you plan to miss class because of religious holidays, you must notify me in advance of your absence.
Assessment and Grading
Informal Writing
“Notebook”:Responses to question sets 20% / Submitted via Canvas
Formal Writing
Journal entries: 5 x 5% each 25% / Submitted via CanvasEssay 1 – New Criticism / Reader Response 15 %
Critical Research project
Proposal – 300 words5 %
Paper – at least 8 pages20 %
Annotated bibliography5 %
Attendance and Participation 10%
The requirements for each assignment and exam will be explained in detail as the semester proceeds. Late work is not accepted and there will be no "make-up" or "extra-credit" assignments, so do not miss assignment due dates.
Reading Preparation for Class
This course is run on the premise that you will read the assigned texts before coming for class. The class lectures and discussions will be enriched if you have already encountered the texts and given them some thought. Some of this material is dense, jargon-filled writing that needs lots of unpacking. Reading slowly with full concentration is the way to work through it. In fact, you’ll probably need to re-read over and over to get a sense of these arguments and assertions. Make the time to read these texts carefully: this is not material that you can skim while texting / watching TV or in the ten minutes between classes. (I can’t even concentrate on this stuff with a clock ticking in the room ….)
Of course, the Parker textbook, which offers a survey of each theoretical approach, will help to orientate you. Also, the set of reading questions that accompanies each theoretical text (also see below for the Notebook requirement) could be used to scaffold your reading. Make your own notes to keep track of what you’ve read AND to write down responses and questions that you might bring up during class.
Notebook: Answers to Question Sets
Throughout the course of the semester, you will keep a course “notebook.”This notebook comprises answers to the question sets that are assigned for thetheoretical readings on Canvas. These questions (also posted on Blackboard) guide you through the assigned readings. As part of your reading preparation, you can write out answers to these questions. Even if you don't have definitive answers to these questions, attempting to respond to these prompts will force you to engage with the readings more deeply. Answering these question sets is crucial to understanding the material for this class. The notebook gives you the opportunity to “learn” the theoretical material in its own right, before the added task of applying it to interpretation and critical reading. This understanding is crucial for the other assignments (journals and essays) where the theoretical material will be applied to interpretation of literary works.
Your answers to the questions will be reviewed twice: first, around the middle of the semester (Sep 16) when I give you some feedback; and then, at the end of the semester when I assign a grade to your notebook. While there is no “deadline” for completing each question set (except for the midterm and final review dates), I encourage you to work on the question sets consistently throughout the semester.
Essay 1
The first essay (five pages long) requires you to approach the analysis of a short poem using both New Critical and Reader Response approaches. The object of the assignment is to demonstrate understanding with the key interpretive moves of these approaches and to highlight the contrasting interpretations made available by each interpretive approach. Detailed guidance will be offered for this assignment nearer its due date.
Journal Entries
In the middle section of the course (Parts 3 to 7), you will write five journal entries, each of which will be AT LEAST 600 words long. Every journal entry will focus on a different theoretical approach applied to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.The first part of the journal entry asks you to describe how a critic has applied the theory and the second part requires you to make some application of the theory to interpreting the text. The due date for each journal entry is indicated on the course schedule (next to the critical article that you’ll be analyzing) and will be submitted via a Canvas "Journal" page that I have set-up for this purpose.
Critical Research Project
a. A proposal explaining the issue that you'd like to explore in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the theoretical approach/es your plan to use.
One page and a list of five to six potentially useful journal articles.
b. Annotation of four scholarly articles with an emphasis on explaining their theoretical approach and how they might be useful in an argument – 200 words on four articles.
c. Paper. At least eight pages: Write a thesis-driven paper about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by using the theoretical approaches that we have studied throughout the semester and by incorporating the scholarly articles that you have read in your research. Detailed guidance will be give about all components of the Research Project as we near the end of the semester.
Participation
The class will provide opportunities for you to participate in small groups and in whole class discussions. I will invite students to raise questions and ask leading as well as clarifying questions as part of each class session. Some of this material is very “abstract” in nature but when you participate by putting the ideas “in your own words” or giving your own “illustrations,” the material becomes more digestible. Also, I encourage all students to make appointments to talk to me about the course material and the assignments. I would like each student to speak to me about the coursework at least once during the semester.
Academic Integrity
"Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at < I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. Exams and assignments that violate the Academic Integrity Policy will receive an F.
Special Needs Accommodation
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of AccessibilityResources & Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: .
Laptop Policy
Laptops may be used in class only to take notes pertaining to our class or to view documents on our Blackboard website. Any student who uses a laptop for any non-classroom activity during class time will not be allowed to use a laptop in class again. To be perfectly clear: one violation means no laptop use.
Course Schedule.
Note: “Parker” refers to How to Interpret Literature; (Norton) is the assigned edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; [Can] means that the article is up on our Canvas page as a .pdf file.
Date / LessonAug 17/ M / Introduction: What is “English”?
1. New Criticism
Aug 19 /W / From Parker, Chp 2 “New Criticism” 11-42 [Can]
Aug 21 /F / Brooks, "Keats’ Sylvan Historian" 139-52 [Can]
2. Reader Response
Aug 24 /M / From Parker, Chp 11 “Reader Response” 330–335 & 340 –344 [Can] – No need to read the entire chapter, just the assigned pages
Iser, “The Reading Process: A Phenomenological Approach” [Can]
Aug 26 /W / Fish, “Interpreting the Variorum” 382 –400 [Can]
Aug28 /F / Essay 1Assigned
3. Structuralism
Aug31 /M / From Parker, Chp 3 “Structuralism” 43 – 62; Saussure, "Nature of the Linguistic Sign" [Can]
Sep 2 / W / From Parker, Chp 3 “Structuralism” 65 – 84; Jakobson, “The Metaphoric and Metonymic Poles” 140-168 [Can]
Sep 4 / F / Examples of New Criticism, Reader Response and Structuralism,:
Borroff, "The Challenge Episode, A Stylistic Interpretation" (Norton, 93–104)
Hanna, "Unlocking What’s Locked" (Norton, 104–113)
Hieatt, "Sir Gawain, Pentangle, Luf-Lace, Numerical Structure" (Norton, 113-131) Essay 1 Due
Sep7 / M / Labor Day – No Class
3. Deconstruction
Sep9 / W / From Parker, Chp 4 “Deconstruction” 85 – 110
Sep11 / F / Derrida, "Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences" [Can 210-24]
Sep 14 / M / Derrida, "Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences" [Can 210-24]
Sep 16 /W / Baudrillard, "Simulacra and Simulation" [Can421-30]
Feedback on “Notebook” given: Make sure question sets up to this point have been answered.
Sep 18 /F / Example of Deconstruction: Trigg, "Romance of Exchange"[Can]
4. Psychoanalysis
Sep21 /M / From Parker, Chp 5 “Psychoanalysis” 111-37
Sep 23 /W / Freud, "The Premisses and Technique of Interpretation" & "Manifest and Latent Elements" [Can 51 -69] Journal 1 (Deconstruction) due
Sep 25 /F / From Parker, Chp 5 “Psychoanalysis” 137-47
Sep 28 /M / Lacan, “The Insistence of the Letter in the Unconscious” [Can 184-209]
Sep30 / W / Zizek, "Fantasy as a Political Category: A Lacanian Approach" [Can 692–705]
Oct 2 / F / Example of Psychoanalytical criticism: Miller, "The Ends of Excitement" [Can]
5. Feminism
Oct5 / M / From Parker, Chp 6 “Feminism” 148-184
Oct7 / W / Irigaray, "The Bodily Encounter with the Mother" [Can 531–40] Journal 2 (Psychoanalysis) due
Oct9 / F / Rubin, “The Traffic in Women”[ Can]
Oct 12/ M / Fall Break – No Class
Oct 14/ W / Example of Feminist criticism: Heng, "Feminine Knots and the other Sir Gawain" (Norton, 194–217)
6. Queer Theory
Oct 16/ F / From Parker, Chp 6 “Queer Studies” 185-200
Oct19 / M / Butler, "Critically Queer" [Can 607–25]
Oct21 / W / Butler, "Critically Queer" [Can 607–25] Journal 3 (Feminism) due
Oct23 / F / From Parker, Chp 6 “Queer Studies” 200-219
Oct 26 / M / Sedgwick, "The Beast in the Closet" [Can 506–30]
Oct 28 / W / Example of Queer criticism: Dinshaw, “A Kiss Is Just a Kiss: Heterosexuality and its Consolations in SGGK” [Can]
Oct 30 / F / Research Project : Instructions and research methods / Formulating the argument / using theory and research
7. New Historicism
Nov2 / M / From Parker, Chp 9 “Historicism and Cultural Studies” 259-84
Nov4 / W / Greenblatt, "The Circulation of Social Energy" [Can 555–71] Journal 4 (Queer Theory) due
Nov 6/ F / Examples of historicist criticism:
Johnson, "Regenerative Time in SGGK" (Norton, 158–173)
Carruthurs, "The Duke of Clarence and the Earls of March: Garter Knights and SGGK" (Norton, 217–231]
7. Post-colonial Theory
Nov9 / M / From Parker, Chp 10 “Post-colonial and Race Theory” 285-329
Nov11 / W / Said, “Crisis” [Can]
Nov13 / F / Bhaba, “The Other Question” [Can]Journal 5 (New Historicism) due
Nov 16 / M / Example of Post-colonial Criticism: Ng and Hodges, “Saint George, Islam and Regional Audiences in SGGK” [Can]
8. Emerging Trends: Eco-Crit and Disability Studies
Nov 18 / W / From Parker, Chp 12 “Ecocriticism and Disability Studies” 354-80 Paper Proposal due
Nov 20 / F / Mitchell, from Narrative Prosthesis [Can]
Example of Disability Criticism: Godden,“Prosthetics and the Dismodern Body inSGGK” [Can]
Nov23 /M / Conferences
Nov25 /W / Thanksgiving – No Class
Nov27 /F / Thanksgiving – No Class
Nov30 /M / ConferencesAnnotated Bibliography due via email
Dec 1 / Tu / Reading Day
Dec 7 /Mon / Final Paper due via email on Monday, Dec 7, 11.59 pm.