必修也出来了喔 当代文学理论与批评 Spring 2010 Contemporary Literary Theory & Criticism Professor: Erick Heroux 何艾克 Wednesday 9:10 AM – 12 PM Room 340304 JiTao email: [email protected] office: Research 727 What do we mean when we say “theory”? As the editors of The Norton Anthology of Theory & Criticism put it theory “now entails skepticism toward systems institutions and norms; a readiness to take critical stands and to engage in resistance; an interest in blind spots contradictions and distortions (often discovered to be ineradicable); and a habit of linking local and personal practices to the larger economic political historical and ethical forces of culture” (xxxiii). The point of theory therefore is not merely to interpret a text but rather more tactically to change the way we think and live. Criticism that does not perform this in any manner is not what we call “theory” here. But if you like the quotation above then you will find theory to be a powerful tool that will enrich (and challenge) the rest of your life. Each of the various approaches we will cover not only fulfills the definition of theory above but each is also in dialogue with each other. Theories often overlap with each other. Theory is also said to be difficult. I suppose that if it were easy, you'd already know it. But the difficulty derives from its unknown way of thinking. Another difficulty is due to a written style that deliberately frustrates the fast reader who’s skimming for what they already assume; the style is meant to slow you down and start over. Theory deliberately opposes what has passed for "rationality" and "common sense" for many centuries. Once you learn that, then it becomes easier. This is more or less like learning Greek: at first impossible to understand, but after learning all the terms just as sensible as any other language. Pedagogy: Lecture and readings are in English. Prepare the readings before class -- usually this will require at least 7 hours of reading time plus or minus depending on many variables. It takes the professor about that long! Assignment length varies from 30 pages to 100 pages per week depending on the level of difficulty. In class we will have an open discussion based on your questions and comments and I will talk quite a lot probably more than you think I should but less than I think is needed. My hope is that you will talk as much as I do. See “Grading” below. Try to raise at least one question and/or comment to the seminar every week. Writing assignment? Four short comments are due. Of the 15 or so actual weeks of class, choose the four that interest you more. Write a 2-page comment to turn in to the class for that week. I’ll ask you to sign-up on our schedule for a specific topic ahead of time. Explain and evaluate some specific theme from our readings; or perhaps to at least explore and question a specific theme. Do not give a general overview of the reading since that's too much for a short presentation. If you’re not sure, then I will recommend or even assign examples of a“specific theme”in critical practice as applied to some famous poems, plays, and novels. The best way to gain proficiency is use your original response to puzzle through an issue from the reading. Usually I will ask you to present your weekly comment orally to your classmates ideally without reading it. By the end of the semester you’ll have five pages finished on five specific concepts or problems. Required Texts: ‧ Literary Theory: An Anthology 2nd edition. Edited by Michael Ryan. ‧ An enormous photocopy packet containing more recent publications Optional texts for your own reference: ‧ Hans Bertens' Literary Theory: The Basics_ 2nd edition ‧ Jeff Collins & Bill Mayblin's Introducing Derrida ‧ Michael Ryan’s Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction 2nd edition. Grading: ‧ Your grade is based upon the quality of your five 2-page comments and your weekly in-class comments. Try to say at least one thing every week, even if just a thoughtful question. This = 50% credit ‧ Final exam will consist of an in-class essay responding to three questions. You’ll have six optional questions to choose from. This = 50% credit. = 要订课本吗? --

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