Contemporary Literary and Cultural Theory: course description
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This course will introduce students to many of the dominant perspectives in the field of contemporary theory. We will focus on essays from The Norton Anthology of Criticism and Theory as well as selections from books by Lacan (Encore), Kristeva (Intimate Revolt), and Agamben (Profanations). We will begin with an essay by Barthes, “From Work to Text,” that establishes the idea of the “text” and “textuality,” concepts central to contemporary theory. We will also read early on Benjamin’s “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” to raise a Marxist perspective, as well as Freud’s “Fetishism,” since fetishism is a concept fundamental to various branches of contemporary theory: not only psychoanalysis, but also film theory, post-colonial theory, and queer theory. Post-structuralism will also be demonstrated by Derrida’s “Plato’s Pharmacy.” A psychoanalytic segment of the course will follow: Lacan and Kristeva. In the latter half of the course, we will concentrate on Foucault and Deleuze, some post-colonial theory (Said), and gender theory (Butler). We will end with several essays from Agamben’s Profanations (or perhaps read the entire text). Students will probably be asked to choose at least one additional essay from the Norton Anthology and to write a one-page critique of it. Our discussions will be interactive, although I may give a mini-lecture when we get to Lacan. I will generally provide specific questions about the reading in advance to help students prepare for our discussions. There is no required preliminary knowledge for this course. Grades will be based on the two papers, the final exam, and class contributions.
Please note: all students are expected to adhere to the accepted norms of intellectual honesty in their academic work. For ambiguous cases, please consult me.
You must communicate with me about a late paper—BEFORE the deadline—to avoid penalty. Please try to visit me during office hours at least once during the semester.
Please double space all course writings. Papers that are not double spaced, or whose font is tiny, will be returned for adjustment. Your writing will receive my full attention; I expect polished, grammatically correct, stylistically appealing papers that present an idea of your own (a thesis) that the paper elaborates in a persuasive manner.
