230639 Literary Theory (S) (WiSe 2010/2011)

In this course we will engage with a broad spectrum of literary theory and criticism. Lois Tyson's Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide (2006) will function as major textbook to introduce students to reader-response, structuralist, deconstructivist and new historical criticism. We will apply different theoretical approaches to the reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) as our major literary text.

Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the basic theoretical concepts and approaches to literature and culture, and the major differences between them;
2. To understand the aims of literary and cultural criticism; gain knowledge of key forms and terminology of literary and cultural criticism;
3. Ability to generate and articulate responses to literary and critical texts in class discussions, and to explain the premises and assumptions underlying such responses;
4. Ability to plan and execute the facilitation of a class session, i.e. the integration of literary and cultural theory with a pedagogical vision which is aimed at facilitating the learning of theory and its application for fellow students.

Requirements for participation, required level

Please read F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) before our first session.

Bibliography

Please buy:
1) Lois Tyson's Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide (Routledge 2006) ISBN 0-415-97410-0
2) F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) Oxford World Classics edition, ISBN 978-0-19-953640-5