Middlebury

LITS 0205

Literary Theory

Introduction to Contemporary Literary Theory
This course will introduce several major schools of contemporary literary theory. By reading theoretical texts in close conjunction with works of literature, we will illuminate the ways in which these theoretical stances can produce various interpretations of a given poem, novel, or play. The approaches covered will include New Criticism, Psychoanalysis, Marxism and Cultural Criticism, Feminism, and Post-Structuralism. These theories will be applied to works by Shakespeare, Wordsworth, The Brontës, Conrad, Joyce, and others. The goal will be to make students critically aware of the fundamental literary, cultural, political, and moral assumptions underlying every act of interpretation they perform. 3 hrs. lect/3 hrs. disc.
Subject:
Literary Studies
Department:
Program in Literary Studies
Division:
Literature
Requirements Fulfilled:
EUR LIT
Equivalent Courses:
CMLT 0205
ENAM 0205

Sections in Fall 2023