*2023 Note<\/strong>. Most links have been removed from this archival version of the syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COURSE INFORMATION<\/strong>. English 456. Literary Criticism of the Twentieth Century. Th. 3:00 \u2013 5:50 p.m. Location: Wilkinson Hall (WH) 221. Instructor: Alfred J. Drake, Ph.D. Office hours: Th. 6:00 \u2013 7:00 p.m. in Jazzman Caf\u00e9. Email: ajdrake_at_ajdrake.com. Catalog description: \u201cPrerequisite, Eng 104. An introduction to the rich and varied forms of modern criticism and theory. Focusing on important critical questions (the role of the reader in determining the meaning of a literary text; the social role of literature; the problems of censorship), students explore modern critical approaches ranging from New Criticism, structuralism, and the \u201cnew\u201d historicism, to deconstruction, feminist criticism, and semiotics. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES. <\/strong>My initial aim is to ground you in the theories behind current movements in literary criticism. We will first study significant predecessor texts from the Western philosophical tradition and thereby gain historical perspective on key insights that run through contemporary theory. Among the frameworks we will move on to study are the American New Criticism, Marxism, structuralism, post-structuralism, post-colonial theory, cultural studies, and feminism. In his introduction to Critical Theory since Plato, Hazard Adams writes that we may categorize literary theories \u201caccording to where the critic \u2018locates\u2019 the literary work, or poem\u2014in the nature it copies, in the audience it finds, in the author, or in its own verbal structure. . . .\u201d Following Meyer Abrams, he correlates these orientations \u201cthe mimetic, the pragmatic . . . the expressive, and the objective.\u201d This schema helps us deal productively with the diffuseness of theory: most practitioners generally fit within, span, or criticize these basic orientations. Finally, trust that you can master difficult material by successive approximations. You may not fully grasp the readings the first time you study them, but soon, you will start to make their insights your own and adapt them to your purposes as a student of literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ACTIVITIES. <\/strong>In class, there will be a mix of lectures, whole-class and smaller-group discussion, occasional quizzes, a mid-term, and a final exam. I encourage questions and comments\u2014class sessions improve when students take an active part. Outside class, do the assigned readings before the relevant discussion dates and start planning and drafting your two essays early. In literary studies, the aim is to read and discuss actively and thereby to develop your own voice in response to the texts you read. Insightful interpretation and the ability to make compelling connections are central goals. The essay, discussions, and journal-keeping should combine to help you work towards these goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COURSE POLICIES<\/strong>. Please review the course policies page early in the semester since it addresses matters such as attendance, incompletes and withdrawal, late or missing work, and academic integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n METHODS OF EVALUATION<\/strong>: Two 5-page papers, a take-home midterm, and an in-class or take-home final. The relevant paper\/exam dates will be mentioned on the syllabus page. A likely grade breakdown would be 15% for paper one, 25% for paper two, 25% for the midterm, and 35% for the final exam. Students are encouraged to keep a journal of responses to study questions available on our course web site. You cannot pass this class without completing all requirements. Due dates are subject to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCOURSE RATIONALE AND ACTIVITIES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HOW YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE EVALUATED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
REQUIRED TEXTS AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n