Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:       LIT316 20th Century ‘isms’: Literary Theory & Criticism II

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12       

Module Tutor:                       Runa Chakraborty, Vanlallawmkimi, and Tshering Choden

Module Coordinator:            Runa Chakraborty

General objective: This module aims at acquainting students with major theoretical movements and trends that emerged especially during the second half of the 20th century. It further aims to enable students to develop the theoretical and critical insights and acumen to analyse and interpret literary texts. Students will also be made familiar with the impact of various socio-political, economic, psychological, cultural and linguistic phenomena that influenced literary sensibilities during the second half of the 20th century. On a broader level, this module aims to train students not only to understand concepts but also to implement these ideas in the context of the everyday world.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, learners should be able to:

  1. Compare different theoretical movements to understand their influence.
  2. Describe the impact of these trends/movements in shaping the ideologies of the period.
  3. Critique various literary and ideological viewpoints.
  4. Identify multiple perspectives possible for reading literary texts critically.
  1. Adopt various theoretical positions with a view to writing nuanced analyses of texts.
  1. Establish and explain connections between literary theories and various socio-political concepts.
  2. Interpret the prescribed literary theories and make connections with other relevant theories.
  3. Implement the concepts of literary theories while writing literary and critical essays.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Lectures & discussions

3

45

Tutorials

1

15

Independent study

4

60

Total

120

Assessment Approach:

A. Written assignment: Portion of Final Marks: 20%

A critical essay of 700-1000 words on a prescribed text applying one or more theories relevant to the context. The first draft will be marked out of 5%, and the final submission out of 15%, of which 5% percent will be allotted to specific improvements made on the feedback received on the first draft. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

B. Presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

Students will be assigned topics related to socio-political concepts in groups of approximately 4 members. Each individual student will present a part of the work. Each group will be assigned a group mark (10%) and an individual mark (10%). The duration of each individual presentation will be 5-7 minutes. Assessment will be based on the ‘Oral Tasks’ rubric.

C. Class Test: Portion of Final Marks: 10%

A written test will be conducted for 45 min duration and cover 2-3 weeks of material.

D. Class participation and preparedness: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. 5% of class participation will be assessed before midterm and the remaining 5% post midterm. Assessment will be based on the ‘Participation and Preparedness’ rubric.

E. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.

Areas of assignments

Quantity

Weighting

A.    Written Assignment

1

20%

B.    Presentation

1

20%

C.   Class Test

1

10%

D.   Class participation and preparedness

 

10%

E.    Midterm Examination

1

10%

Total Continuous Assessment (CA)

 

70%

Semester-End Examination (SE)

 

30%

Pre-requisites: LIT212 Imitation, Imagination, and Tradition: Literary Theory and Criticism I

Subject matter:

  1. Structuralism, Poststructuralism and Deconstruction
    • General concepts related to Sign, Signifier and Signified
    • The influence of Saussure
    • Close reading and analysis of Roland Barthes’ The Death of the Author
      • Power of the reader/listener
      • Power of the Author
      • Textual analysis
  1. Psychoanalytic criticism
    • Close reading and analysis of Sigmund Freud’s Analysis of a Phobia in a Five Year Old Boy
      • Case History of Hans
      • Infantile Sexuality
      • Oedipus complex
    • Close reading and analysis of Jacques Lacan’s The Mirror Stage as Formative of the I Function as Revealed in Psychoanalytic Experience
      • Perception of Self
      • Establishment of Ego
      • Individual and Social relation
  1. Marxist Criticism
    • Close reading and analysis of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’: The Communist Manifesto (Excerpt to be decided by tutor)
      • Historical materialism
      • Class Conflict
      • Goals of Communism
    • Close reading and analysis of Louis Althusser’s Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses
      • Idea of State and State apparatus
      • Agency
      • Social Constructivism
  1. Postcolonial Criticism
    • Close reading and analysis of Ngugi wa Thiongo’s Decolonizing the Mind. (Excerpt to be decided by Tutor)
      • Language as carrier of culture
      • Language as means of Colonization
      • Politics of Decolonization
  1. Feminism and Queer Theory
    • Close reading and analysis of Elaine Showalter’s Towards a Feminist Poetics (Excerpts to be decided by Tutor).
      • Gynocriticism
      • Feminine, Feminist and Female
      • Tradition of women’s writings

Reading List:

  1. Essential Reading
  2. Additional Reading
    • Saussure, F. de. (2013). Course in General Linguistics. Trans. Wade Baskin. Eds. Perry Meisel and Haun Saussy. USA: Columbia University Press.
    • Selden, R. (Ed.). (1985). A Reader’s Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. The Harvester Press.

Date: December 20, 2015