This course presents a survey of critical approaches to studying literature (cultural, historical, social, etc.). That is, it introduces students to the history of literary criticism and major influences starting with the Classical, Renaissance, Neo-Classical, Romantics, and arriving at the transitional Victorian. It includes adopting approaches from which to write critical papers. Critics to be covered include Plato, Aristotle, Sidney, Dryden, Pope, Coleridge, etc. This course also focuses on selected Modern Schools of Criticism and apply them on literary texts. Modern criticism will be covered through the main theories and terminology of modern schools including but not exclusive to: Formalism, New criticism, Feminism. Existentialism, Psychoanalysis, Postcolonialism, Multiculturalism, Marxism, Reader-response, etc. Moreover, it provides reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences that are designed to help students understand theoretical approaches to the study of literature. The course aims to develop students’ ability to understand and to criticize a literary piece. It also aims at providing them with:
· Knowledge of key forms and terminology of literary criticism;
· Ability to read the writings of literary scholars and critics with understanding and thoughtful appreciation;
· Ability to analyze different philosophical positions about literature;
· Ability to evaluate application of theory to specific works; apply theory systematically to specific works of literature; and present a logical, fully developed argument based on a sound theoretical position about a specific work of literature.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected to:
· Acquire basic theoretical concepts underlying contemporary approaches to literature and the major differences between them.
· Identify and explain the fundamental concepts pertinent to each literary theory
· Develop the ability to conduct literary research according to established procedures and use such research effectively and responsibly.
· Develop the ability to write a critical essay that states a clear thesis and supports it persuasively.
· Integrate literary research with personal ideas.
· Relate the major critics and assign them to their respective theories and historical periods to help bring context into literary theory.
· Identify the roots of literary criticism and its connection to the creative process.
· Approach literary texts analytically and to deduce the corresponding theories.
· Produce a research paper, applying critical theories and concepts to creative works of literature.