Module Code and Title:       LIT212 Imitation, Imagination, and Tradition: Literary Theory & Criticism I

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Runa Chakraborty, Vanlallawmkimi, Sonam Deki

Module Coordinator:            Runa Chakraborty     

General objective: This module will provide students with an overview of literary theory, its origin, development and key elements. Students will explore literary criticism as a genre and understand the tradition of literary criticism. They will be engaged in close reading of the prescribed texts to develop a deeper understanding of the works of key literary critics beginning from Aristotle to Albert Camus. The module will help them develop the skills necessary to read and interpret texts critically and enable them to understand the nuances of theoretical approaches that are required to comprehend socio-political and cultural issues. Finally, this module will also train students to write criticisms of literary pieces and thus enable them to implement theoretical concepts in the context of the everyday world.

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

1. Describe the basic tenets of literary theories.
2. Explain the significance of literary criticism.
3. Analyse various philosophical viewpoints on literary criticism through a close reading of the prescribed texts.
4. Compare the basic tenets of literary theory through a close reading of the prescribed texts.
5. Synthesize and select the most appropriate theoretical and contextual frameworks from a text.
6. Apply multiple theoretical positions in order to understand a particular issue.
7. Produce criticisms of literary pieces by using relevant theories.
8. Express independent but informed opinions on literary works.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

 Assessment Approach:

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

A critical essay of 500-600 words on a prescribed text focusing on the theoretical and contextual frameworks. 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 divided in groups of approximately 4 members and be asked to present on literary/socio-political issues using multiple theoretical positions. 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 assigned 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.

 Pre-requisites:

 Subject Matter:

1. Introduction to Literary Theory and Criticism:
   • Purpose and Development
   • Nature and Scope of Literary Criticism
   • Method and Practice
2. Classical Criticism: Close reading and analysis of Aristotle’s Poetics
   • Aristotle: The Poetics
     • Mimesis
     • Tragedy
     • Epic
     • Catharsis

1. Enlightenment Criticism: Close reading and analysis of Dryden’s An Essay of Dramatic Poesy and Friedrich Schiller’s On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry
   • John Dryden: An Essay of Dramatic Poesy
     • Purpose
     • Merits
     • Demerits
   • Friedrich Schiller: On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry
     • Types of artistic creation
     • Methodology
     • Influence on later critics

1. 18^th and 19^th Century Criticisms: Close reading and analysis of Wordsworth’s Preface to the Lyrical Ballads and Arnold’s The Function of Criticism at the Present Time
   • William Wordsworth: Preface to the Lyrical Ballads
     • Genesis and Aims of the Preface
     • Definition of Poetry
     • Concept of Imagination
     • Themes of Poetry
     • Function of Poetry
     • Diction of Poetry
   • Matthew Arnold: The Function of Criticism at the Present Time
     • Purpose
     • Nature
     • Influence on Later Critics

1. 20^th Century Criticism: Close reading and analysis of (excerpts) Eliot’s Tradition and the Individual Talent and Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus
   • S. Eliot: Tradition and the Individual Talent (extracts)
     • The redefinition of tradition
     • The impersonality of poetry
   • Albert Camus: The Myth Of Sisyphus
     • The idea of the Absurd
     • Existential philosophy                             

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading (A coursepack of the shorter reading materials will be made available to students)
   • (1994-2009). Poetics. Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/poetics.html
   • Arnold, M. (1895). The Function of Criticism at the Present Time. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/functioncritici00pategoog
   • Camus, A. (n.d.). The Myth of Sisyphus. Retrieved from http://www.dhspriory.org/kenny/PhilTexts/Camus/Myth%20of%20Sisyphus-.pdf
   • Dryden, J. (1918). An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. New York: London University Press. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/anessayofdramati00dryduoft
   • Eliot, T.S. (n.d.). Tradition and the Individual Talent. Retrieved from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/eliot/tradition.htm
   • Schiller, F. (2005) On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry. Retrieved from http://www.schillerinstitute.org/transl/schiller_essays/naive_sentimental-1.html
   • Wordsworth, William. “Preface to the Lyrical Ballads.” http://www.english.upenn.edu/~jenglish/Courses/Spring2001/040/preface1802.html
2. Additional Reading
   • Barry, P. (2008) Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Second Edition. New Delhi: Viva Books Private Limited.
   • Eagleton, T. (2013) How to Read Literature. New Haven: Yale University Press.
   • Culler, J. (1997) Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
   • Klages, M. (2011) Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Continuum Publishing.
   • Richards, I.A. (1930) Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgments. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/practicalcritici030142mbp

Date: December 20, 2015