Eng 397 101

Literary Criticism

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

Course Objectives

To explore language as a medium for communication

To develop awareness of critical assumptions implicit
in descriptive and normative statements about language

To gain a working knowledge of basic critical terms

To develop specific critical analyses, incorporating critical
perspectives influential in the practice of modern criticism

To refine a personal approach to reading

Course Requirements

Attention to the interests and needs of classmates, including regular attendance, responsiveness to developing interests in class, and evidence of preparation of reading assignments, generally through contributions to class discussions.

Four papers, with your classmates as your readers: three critical analyses (4 or 5 pp. each), and a final critical analysis, together with an account of your preferred critical assumptions, habits of attention, and priorities for reading.

Course Credit

Grades in general will be the average of the four papers.
Notable contribution to class discussions may enhance a grade.
Two or more unexcused absences may reduce a grade.

Course Texts

Lodge, Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader (2nd edition)

Stevens, The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens

Shakespeare, Othello

Critical Approaches

Structural analyses emphasize verbal structure in a text
by identifying patterns of language, generally those
inviting alternative or contradictory readings.

Mimetic analyses explore alternative characterizations of reality,
together with consequences in attitudes and actions which result
from specific characterizations of reality.

Psycho-social analyses consider images and actions as expressions
of individual and social human interests and aspirations, recognizing
anxieties, exposing class structures, and exploring sub-conscious
structuring of narratives.

Affective analyses trace significant shifts in expectations
of readers as responses to specific successions of words in texts.




			Eng 397 101 Literary Criticism NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. Course Objectives To explore language as a medium for communication To develop awareness of critical assumptions implicit in descriptive and normative statements about language To gain a working knowledge of basic critical terms To develop specific critical analyses, incorporating critical perspectives influential in the practice of modern criticism To refine a personal approach to reading Course Requirements Attention to the interests and needs of classmates, including regular attendance, responsiveness to developing interests in class, and evidence of preparation of reading assignments, generally through contributions to class discussions. Four papers, with your classmates as your readers: three critical analyses (4 or 5 pp. each), and a final critical analysis, together with an account of your preferred critical assumptions, habits of attention, and priorities for reading. Course Credit Grades in general will be the average of the four papers. Notable contribution to class discussions may enhance a grade. Two or more unexcused absences may reduce a grade. Course Texts Lodge, Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader (2nd edition) Stevens, The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens Shakespeare, Othello Critical Approaches Structural analyses emphasize verbal structure in a text by identifying patterns of language, generally those inviting alternative or contradictory readings. Mimetic analyses explore alternative characterizations of reality, together with consequences in attitudes and actions which result from specific characterizations of reality. Psycho-social analyses consider images and actions as expressions of individual and social human interests and aspirations, recognizing anxieties, exposing class structures, and exploring sub-conscious structuring of narratives. Affective analyses trace significant shifts in expectations of readers as responses to specific successions of words in texts. home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore