This course is designed as a critical survey of
modern literary theory from the middle of the
twentieth century to today. It includes both
primary and secondary readings on New
Criticism, Structuralism and Semiotics,
Post-Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, Marxist and
Cultural Criticism, Feminism, and Post-Colonialism.
Discussion will include applications of
these approaches to literary texts as well as the
evaluation of their methodological assumptions,
consistency, and fruitfulness. The aim of this
course is not only to enhance the students'
ability to read critically and to think theoretically,
but also to provide an understanding
of the importance of contemporary literary theory for
the analysis of culture in
general and the influence of literary theories on fields
such as anthropology, cultural studies,
history, psychology, and even law.
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