Fall 2018 - ENGL 216 D100

History and Principles of Literary Criticism (3)

Class Number: 4604

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 14, 2018
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Carolyn Lesjak
    clesjak@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4333
    Office: AQ6113
    Office Hours: Tu 2:30-4 pm and by appt.
  • Prerequisites:

    Two 100 division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The study of selected works in the history of literary criticism, up to and including modern and contemporary movements in criticism.

COURSE DETAILS:

Ways of Reading
                                                                                 
What is literary criticism and theory? Why should we care about it? What difference(s) can it make in how we read and why we read? This course will provide a solid introduction to some of the most exciting literary criticism and theory of the 20th and 21st centuries and explore the multiple ways it offers for reading all sorts of materials, from novels and films to art and architecture. The first half of the course will address key issues within theory, including debates about language, power, culture, race, class, gender and sexuality. Along the way, we'll look at contemporary examples of these theories in action in order to see how they are used and why they matter. We'll then take our newfound theoretical tools and apply and test them through a reading of Thomas Hardy's classic nineteenth century novel, Tess of the D'urbervilles. We'll also look at a variety of critical readings of Tess and explore the connections between Hardy's world and our own.    

So if you're a new English major looking to understand what literary criticism and theory is and what it means to be a New Critic or a New Historicist (or any other kind of critic), or a seasoned student  looking for new ways of reading and thinking about art and culture, novels and new media, this course is for you.
 

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Presentation/position paper 20%
  • Take-home midterm 30%
  • Final exam 35%

NOTES:

Please note that this course is run as a seminar (not a large lecture).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED TEXTS:  

Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'urbervilles (Bedford/St. Martin's) *Please note that this particular edition is required because it contains numerous essays that are required reading. (ISBN: 978-031-21068)  

Additional critical readings will be posted on Canvas. This site is password protected and is available only to students registered in the course. In accordance with Canadian copyright law and best practices with regard to “fair dealing,” please download only one copy of assigned PDFs for private study in the context of this course. On the days that these materials are being used, you MUST bring your copy to class.  
ISBN: 978-031-21068

RECOMMENDED READING:

Leitch, Vincent B., et al., eds., The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, 2nd. ed. 
ISBN: 978-0-393-93292-8

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS