Seminar in Literary Criticism: Classical and Modern Foundations of Theory

About the course:

A selective and intensive rather than a comprehensive or survey-based approach to literary and cultural theory. We will focus on three main foundations of much current theory: classical Greek and Roman ideas about art and literature; Marx's ideas about money, power, and social justice; Freud's ideas about mind and character, and how we mostly fail to achieve Socrates' mandate to know ourselves. We will consider New Historicism as one example of how often Marx and Freud fuse in many modern interpretations of the self, ideology, agency, and language, and culture. After reading primary texts from these key foundational thinkers, students will apply concepts to interpreting specific works of literature, including Joyce's novella The Dead, which you will read independently.

Learning Outcomes:

• summarize in writing some key concepts from classical and modern literary and cultural theories
• apply such concepts to their own written interpretations of literature
• evaluate published interpretations for their accuracy and validity
  
• argue persuasively for and against the value of Marx and Freud for literary interpretation
• ask cogent questions orally of theoretical and intellectual texts

Required Texts (books are in NCSU Bookstore; )

• Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford UP, 2000. Print.
  used $9.00 [ VSI in syllabus]
  
• Criticism: Major Statements [CMS in syllabus]. Eds. Charles Kaplan and William Anderson. 4th ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991. Print.
  
• A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature.[HCAL in syllabus]  Ed. Wilfred Guerin et al. 6th ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2011. Print.
  new $51.95
• The Marx-Engels Reader [MER in syllabus]. Ed. Robert C. Tucker. 2nd. ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 1978. Print.
  
• Freud, Sigmund. New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis. Ed. and trans. James Strachey. New York: W. W. Norton, 1990. sub in online
  
• Joyce, James. The Dead. Ed. Daniel R. Schwartz. New York: Bedford, 1994. Print.
  
• online texts of works to interpret (Fitzgerald "A Diamond As Big as the Ritz"; Lawrence "The Rocking-horse Winner"; Clare "I Am")
  

Class requirements: 4 short papers, 50% of the grade:

• Paper 1 = 1-2 p. summary of critical argument (10%)
• Paper 2 = 1-2 p. metacritical, comparative (10%)
• Paper 3 = 3-5p. application of Marx (15%)
• Paper 4 = 3-5 p. application of Freud (15%).

2 Exams for 35% of the grade:

• Midterm exam -- closed book, recall and detail (15%)
• Final exam - open book/notebook 2 hrs. metacritical evaluation of Bedford essay on Joyce novella; 2 hrs. independent interpretation of Joyce (20%)

1 oral presentation (5%):

• present day's readings plus lead discussion about them.
  

How I Figure Your Grades
Percentages for each required graded category are figured via a percentage of a 12-pt. scale in which an A+ =12 and
an F=0 points. For example, a B+ on paper 1 would net you 9 x .10 or .9 points.  Or, a C on participation nets you 5 x .10 or .5, an A on the final nets you 12 x .15 or 1.8 points.
I then add up the percentage points for each required category to determine your grade from 0 to 12.  For example, an 8.2 final score = B for the class.

You must complete all the required work to pass the class. No opting out of assigned work.  I will grade plus/minus.

Attendance: You are allowed 3 absences. If you are absent, unexcused, more than 3 times over the course of the semester, your absences will count progressively against your final grade, as a significant part --10%--of your final grade. Every 2 absences beyond the allowed 3 loses you a half letter grade.

Instructor's policies on attendance, (excused and unexcused) absences, and scheduling makeup work. As part of their statement, instructors should include the web address to the university Attendance Regulation (REG02.20.03) so that students may be able to access university definitions of excused absences.

Plagiarism: Anyone convicted will receive an F for the paper, or the course at my discretion. And yes, I have caught people in the past--in this course, in fact.

Late Papers: Papers received ONE class session late will be accepted but docked a full grade. No late papers accepted after one class session late.

Disabilities:

"Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.01)"

Academic Integrity Assumption
Universities are unique communities committed to creating and transmitting knowledge. They depend on freedom - individuals' freedom to explore ideas and to explore and further their own capabilities. Those freedoms depend on the good will and responsible behavior of all the members of the community, who must treat each other with tolerance and respect. They must allow each other to develop the full range of their capabilities and take full advantage of the institution's resources.

1 Honor Pledge: 
"I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment." The syllabus may specify that the Honor Pledge be signed on each test or assignment or that it is the understanding and expectation of faculty that the student's signature on any test or assignment means that the student neither gave nor received unauthorized aid.

 
Please fill out a course evalution online: http://ClassEval.ncsu.edu

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