Department of English, Foreign Language, and Journalism

English 340-01

Introduction to Literary Theory

TTh 11:00-12:20  JGM 109

Dr. Stacia Bensyl  SSC 222I

Phone 271-5936  email—bensyl@missouriwestern.edu

Office hours:  MTWThF 10:00-11:00, and by appointment

 

Required Texts:

 

Introducing Critical Theory.     Sim and VanLoon

 

The Longman Anthology of British Literature.  Vol. 2C.  Ed. Damrosch

 

Course Objectives:

·        ·        Become familiar with various critical theories of literature.

·        ·        Apply those theories to texts.

·        ·        Write about texts with critical theory.

·        ·        Discuss critical theory in the classroom.

 

In order to reach those objectives students will:

·        Write five 3-4 page papers applying five different critical theories to five different texts (at least four of which must be literary).  Instructions for these papers will be distributed in class.  Each paper is worth 50 points.

·        Post three responses to webboard questions and participate three times in webboard discussion.  Each posting is worth 25 points.  Students may choose to post more responses or participate in more discussions for ten points extra credit per posting (Maximum 50 points extra credit).

·        Participate in class discussion and writing about literary theory.

·        Choose to participate in the optional Worthless Quizzes (no class credit given) applying critical theory to a text.  Those questions are posted outside my door.  Most students find these amusing.

·        Take an objective (multiple-choice, matching, etc.) final exam worth 100 points.

 

Attendance policy:

            I have started taking roll in ever class this semester.  Not being in class will negatively affect your grade.  If you’re close to a “B,” for example, but you’ve been gone three times, you’ll probably get the “C.”  When it comes time to write your papers, you will need the benefit of class discussion and lecture.

 

Student Disability:

            Students with disabilities (impaired hearing, vision, reading disorders, etc.) should notify me in writing of the disability before the end of the first week of class.  In consultation with the Center for Academic Support, I will work out a course of study for such students.

 Webboard policies:

            Responses to my posted questions are due by 5:00 Wednesdays.  Late postings will receive no credit.  Postings should be at least one well-developed paragraph in length and address the issue, question, or quotation I post.  Responses to your peers’ comments are due by 5:00 Mondays.  They, too, should be well thought-out, careful responses to your peers’ postings.  “I agree” or “Way to go” will get you no points.  Extra credit postings will be held to the same standards and deadlines.

     

Grading policy:

            You cannot pass this class without turning in all five papers.  It’s important that I see your work throughout the semester.  The grading scale is as follows.

100-90%  =  A

80-89%    =  B

70-79%    =  C

60-69%    =  D

59-0%      =  F

 

Assignment values:

 

5 papers @ 50 points each                =          250 points

3 postings @ 25 points each              =          125 points

3 responses @ 25 points each           =          125 points

1 final exam @ 100 points                 =          100 points

Total points possible                          =          600 total points possible

 

 

 

Tentative Class Assignment Schedule

Please remember that this is a TENTATIVE schedule.  We may need to adjust due dates or assignment dates as the semester progresses.

NB:  Don’t be alarmed by all of the “paper due date” listings.  Remember that you must write five papers.  You choose your theory and your text. 

January 20        introduction

22        Introducing Critical Theory pages 1-85

27        Introducing Critical Theory pages 86-165

29        brief look at Biographical and Historical Theory  (what came before New Criticism)

February            3       

                          5                   

10        New Criticism             paper due date (Biographical or                                                                                (Historical)

 

                        12       

                        17        Marxist Criticism                   paper due date  (New Critical)

                        19       

                        24       

                        26        Poststructural Criticism         paper due date  (Marxist)

March                2       

                          4       

                          9       

                        11        Bensyl leaves for Ireland with ENG399—no class

                        16        Spring Break—no class

                        18        Spring Break—no class

23        Psychological Criticism          paper due date  (Poststructural)       

25       

                        30       

April                   1        Feminist Criticism                  paper due date  (Psychological)

                          6       

  8       

13        Post-colonial Criticism           paper due date  (Feminist)

15                   

                        20       

                        22        Queer Theory             paper due date  (Post-colonial)

                        29        Cultural Criticism

                        28       

May                   4        winding up                                paper due date  (Cultural or                                                                                      (Queer)

 

Final Exam: Thursday, May 6, 11:30-1:20