English 403   Literary Criticism

Textbooks:

Bressler, Charles E.  Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, 3rd ed.
Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. Garland, 1999. 
Chopin, Kate.  The Awakening (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism).  Ed. Nancy A. Walker.  Bedford/St. Martin's.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby 

Also: Packet of primary theoretical readings.

Art & Culture  Theory Shuttle  Purdue Guide

The following schedule may be modified as the course proceeds: 

M 13 Jan. Intro to Course.

W 15 Jan. "A Good Man is Hard to Find," Flannery O'Connor (On class I:drive or this link); and Bressler Chap. 1

F 17 Jan. Tyson, Chaps. 1 & 12 Required Reader Response for this week's reading

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M 20 Jan. No Class. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

W 22 Jan. Bressler, Chap. 2

F 24 Jan. Packet Readings (Overview Quotations, Excerpts from Wordsworth, Shelley)

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M 27 Jan. Packet Readings (Excerpts from Emerson, Arnold)

W 29 Jan. Gatsby, Chaps. 1-4

F 31 Jan. Gatsby, Chaps. 5-7 Required Reader Response for this week's reading

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M 3 Feb. Gatsby, Chaps. 8-end

W 5 Feb. New Criticism: Bressler, Chap. 3

F 7 Feb. New Criticism: Tyson, Chap. 5; Packet Readings (Excerpts for New Criticism)

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M 10 Feb. Exam #1 (Take-home due and in-class component)

W 12 Feb. Reader Response: Bressler, Chap. 4

F 14 Feb. Reader Response: Tyson, Chap. 6; Packet Reading & Group Presentation

M 17 Feb. The Awakening, Chaps. 1-18

W 19 Feb. The Awakening, Chaps. 19-39

F 21 Feb. Exam #2 (Take-home due and in-class component)

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M 24 Feb. Psychoanalytical: Bressler, Chap. 4

W 26 Feb. Psychoanalytical: Tyson, Chap. 2

F 28 Feb. Group Presentation

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M 3 Mar. Structuralism: Bressler, Chap. 5

W 5 Mar. Structuralism: Tyson, Chap. 7

F 7 Mar. Packet Readings & Group Presentation

M 17 Mar. Deconstruction: Bressler, Chap. 6

W 19 Mar. Deconstruction: Tyson, Chap. 8

F 21 Mar. Packet Readings & Group Presentation (Last day to sign up for paper due date)

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M 24 Mar. Conferences (No Regular Class)

W 26 Mar. Deconstruction, Poststructuralism, & Postmodernism (Packet Readings)

F 28 Mar. Exam #3 (Take-home due and in-class component)

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M 31 Mar. Feminist: Bressler, Chap. 8

W 2 Apr. Feminist: Tyson, Chap. 4

F 4 Apr. Packet Readings & Group Presentation

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M 7 Apr. Feminist: Packet Readings

W 9 Apr. Marxist: Bressler: Chap. 9

F 11 Apr. Marxist: Tyson, Chap. 3 & Group Presentation Papers Due (see Apr. 28th)

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M 14 Apr. New Historicist: Bressler, Chap. 10

W 16 Apr. New Historicist: Tyson, Chap. 9

M 21 Apr. New Historicist: Packet Readings

W 23 Apr. Packet Readings & Group Presentation

F 25 Apr. Postcolonial: Bressler, Chap. 11

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M 28 Apr. Postcolonial: Tyson, Chap. 11 (Alternative Due Date for Papers)

W 30 Apr. Postcolonial: Packet Reading

F 1 May Packet Readings & Group Presentation

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Final Exams - May 5 - 9

Exam #4 at regularly scheduled Final Exam time

Course Requirements

• Regular class attendance.
• Four Examinations (100 pts. each). Take-home and in-class components.
• Research (75 pts.)
• (a) 20-minute group presentation with a short handout for class on one of the theoretical approaches as listed on the schedule from Feb. 14^th to May 1st
• or (b) a 3 - 5 pp. research paper on one theoretical approach other than the one you will use on your course paper. (Use MLA format with parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited page.)

  Both options require detailed use of the critical essay for your chosen approach from Part Two of your Awakening text and further research.

• Ten reader responses

(Your comments written after reading the week's assignments: free-writing, free association, gut reaction, or unabashed opinion about the material read as well as some critical analysis and summarizing of basic points.) For any ten weeks of class, turn in reader responses on Fridays unless otherwise specified. You will meet this requirement if you (1) reach the required length of approximately 300 words, (2) demonstrate involvement with the material and some critical analysis with direct reference to the text (this differentiates a reader response from a personal diary), and (3) include comments on all the reading assigned for the week. Don't worry about consistency or organization. Responses will be kept on file in the professor's office, so make certain you have copies of your own. You are responsible for office hour visits or appointments to discuss these responses and to receive constructive feedback (they will not be graded -- see "Basis for Grades" below). Responses are required on Jan. 17^th and Jan. 31^st. These responses will provide material for you to use on the take-home components of your exams.

• Paper in three parts (150 pts., 9-12 pp.):

Part I Describe one theoretical approach, placing it in historical context and referring to major theorists and major texts. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theory behind the approach and its practical applications to reading and writing about literature.

Part II Summarize and critique a critical essay that uses the theoretical approach described in Part I - your chosen article must be from Tyson (Gatsby) or The Awakening text.

Part III Use the theoretical approach in Part I or combine it with other critical and theoretical approaches and write your own critical analysis of the novel written about in Part II or any short novel, fiction film, short story, group of short stories, poem, or group of poems approved by the professor before March 21^st.

Use strong textual evidence and thoughtful analysis. Must be wp printed and in proper MLA format. Grades will be based on knowledge of the theoretical approach, extent of critical and original thinking, close reference to the text(s), clarity of expression (organization around a thesis and correctness of grammar, usage, spelling, etc.), and use of proper format.

Basis for Grades

Exams - 4 @ 100 pts. = 400 pts.

Research - 75 pts.

Reader Responses (based on the number of responses that meet above requirements stated in "Course Requirements" #4; no credit for those that do not) - 10 Responses = 100 pts.; 9 Responses = 90 pts.; etc.

Paper - 150 pts.

Total Possible: 725 pts. (See "Absence" below for point reduction policy.)

Final grades for this course will be assessed by your percentage of points.

Scale: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, Below 60% = F

Course Guidelines

FORMAT All papers must be computer printed and in strict MLA format.

ABSENCE Absence and tardiness are strongly discouraged. For each unexcused absence above three, 20 points will be deducted from your final grade. Absences beyond three will be excused if documentation from a dean or medical doctor is provided.

LATE WORK For each weekday an assignment is late, your grade for that assignment will fall by 5%, approximately one-half letter.

PIRACY Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you submit any work which is not the product of your own study and efforts, you will receive a grade of F for that work and probably for the course. Extreme violations will be reported to the appropriate university authorities. Remember: If you can find it on the internet, so can your professor.

HELP You are strongly encouraged to visit the professor during her office hours or by appointment to extend class discussions, to receive feedback on your Reader Responses, and to seek advice about the writing of your course paper. For more writing assistance, see the tutors in the Writing Center (301).