Literary Theory
English Literature
Designed for students and beginning scholars of English Literature, this course will introduce you to major schools of thought in English literary theory and literary analysis. I have kept the materials to the very basics of literary theory, but if you feel the need I can always enhance the level of complexity of the course.
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Designed for students and beginning scholars of English Literature, this course will introduce you to major schools of thought in English literary theory and literary analysis. I have kept the materials to the very basics of literary theory, but if you feel the need I can always enhance the level of complexity of the course.
Designed for students and beginning scholars of English Literature, this course will introduce you to major schools of thought in English literary theory and literary analysis. I have kept the materials to the very basics of literary theory, but if you feel the need I can always enhance the level of complexity of the course.
Please also note that at the bottom of the course syllabus page, I have added additional materials that link to my YouTube channel. These materials are not required for the course but you are likely to expand your knowledge if you spend some time watching these additional video resources.
Besides the video lectures, the course includes textual resources, links to longer and more detailed videos, and links to the resources on my website. I am also open to any suggestions that you might have and would incorporate them as and when I revise this course. So, please feel free to reach out to me through the course messaging system with your questions, queries, and suggestions.
What You Will learn in This Course:
1. All major approaches to English literary theory and analysis.
2. How to read texts critically and how to understand literature from various theoretical perspective.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- In this course, you will first learn major theoretical ways of critical reading and then learn to apply them.
- You will also learn about major schools of theory.
- You will learn to tell one theory apart from others.
- You will learn basic theory vocabularies.
- In this course, you will first learn major theoretical ways of critical reading and then learn to apply them.
- You will also learn about major schools of theory.
- You will learn to tell one theory apart from others.
- You will learn basic theory vocabularies.
Syllabus
This sections provides you a basic introduction of the course and informs you about what we will cover.
This video introduces you to the course and informs you about what to expect from the course. Ensuing videos will cover each major school of literary theory and will also provide you with additional resources.
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Syllabus
This video introduces you to the course and informs you about what to expect from the course. Ensuing videos will cover each major school of literary theory and will also provide you with additional resources.
A brief explanation of how to build your knowledge of theory over time, especially after you finish this introductory course.
This brief video explains what roughly is literary theory and gives you an idea of how different theories emerge because of the emphasis on the text, the author, or the reader.
This video introduces you to the basics of New Criticism and to some ideas of its major thinkers.
Using the resources provided for this lecture, this video component introduces you to the general ideas of some of the major New Criticism theorists.
This video lecture introduces students to certain basic ideas, concepts, and practices of the structuralist movement.
This brief video summarizes what we have covered so far in the course.
This video introduces you to the main concepts related to poststructuralist theory.
This brief video introduces you to Reader Response criticism with brief introduction to some major thinkers and their ideas on the subject.
This lecture introduces you to some major Marxian ideas and then explains Marxism further by discussing other Marxist theorists and writers.
A brief introduction to postcolonialism and postcolonial criticism.
This lecture explains Freudian Psychoanalysis and its use for reading literary text.
This brief video answers a few questions about the Matthew Arnold essay "Functions of Criticism."
This is my reading and discussion of T S Eliot's 1919 famous essay on poetry.
This is an edited version of an online class that I conducted for my students in the spring of 2020. I am hopeful that this would be of some sue to you all.
An introduction to Louis Althusser's essay on ideological state apparatuses. The essay is provided in resources.
A brief discussion of a classic structuralist essay. Please read the full essay provided under resources to this video.
This quiz allows you to test your understanding of new criticism.
This lecture is from my YouTUbe Channel and discusses Terry Eagleton's discussion of English Literature and Literary Theory from his famous book: Literary Theory: An Introduction.
This is chapter two of Terry Eagleton's book on Literary Theory (Full PDF of the book is available in resources to this section) and is also available on my YouTube channel.
This is a discussion of chapter 2 of Terry eagleton's book. The full pDF of the book is provided under resources, please do read it along with the lectures.
Part one of my discussion of Eagleton's chapter on Psychoanalysis.
Good to know
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Activities
Review New Criticism and Structuralism
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of these foundational literary theories to enhance your analysis.
Show steps
-
Review your notes or textbooks on New Criticism and Structuralism.
-
Re-read selected essays or articles from these theoretical movements.
-
Create a table or diagram comparing the key concepts and methods of New Criticism and Structuralism.
Explore Online Resources on Literary Theory
Show steps
Expand your understanding of literary theory by exploring online resources and engaging with experts in the field.
Show steps
-
Visit websites and platforms dedicated to literary theory, such as The Literary Theory Toolkit or the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism.
-
Watch video lectures or webinars on literary theory by renowned scholars.
-
Attend online forums or discussion groups to engage with other learners and experts in the field.
Connect with a Literary Theory Expert
Show steps
Seek guidance and insights from an experienced scholar or practitioner in the field of literary theory.
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors through your university, professional organizations, or online platforms.
-
Reach out to your chosen mentors and request a meeting or email exchange.
-
Prepare specific questions and topics you would like to discuss related to literary theory.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read Eagleton's 'Literary Theory: An Introduction'
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of literary theory by reading a foundational text in the field.
View
Ideology: An Introduction
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Purchase or borrow a copy of Eagleton's 'Literary Theory: An Introduction'.
-
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
-
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.
Analyze Literary Texts Using Different Theories
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of literary theory by analyzing literary texts from various perspectives.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
-
Select a short story, poem, or drama that you are familiar with.
-
Analyze the text using one or two different literary theories, identifying key elements and interpreting the text's meaning.
-
Compare and contrast your analyses to see how different theories yield different insights.
Participate in Peer Study Group
Show steps
Engage with fellow learners to discuss literary theory concepts and exchange perspectives.
Show steps
-
Join or form a study group with other students in the course.
-
Regularly meet to discuss assigned readings, share insights, and work through any challenging concepts.
-
Present your own analysis of a literary text using a specific theoretical approach to the group.
Write a Literary Theory Essay
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of literary theory by applying it to the analysis of a specific literary work.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
-
Choose a literary work that you are interested in analyzing.
-
Select a specific literary theory or approach to guide your analysis.
-
Write an essay that applies the theory to the work, providing textual evidence and critical insights.
Review New Criticism and Structuralism
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of these foundational literary theories to enhance your analysis.
Show steps
- Review your notes or textbooks on New Criticism and Structuralism.
- Re-read selected essays or articles from these theoretical movements.
- Create a table or diagram comparing the key concepts and methods of New Criticism and Structuralism.
Explore Online Resources on Literary Theory
Show steps
Expand your understanding of literary theory by exploring online resources and engaging with experts in the field.
Show steps
- Visit websites and platforms dedicated to literary theory, such as The Literary Theory Toolkit or the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism.
- Watch video lectures or webinars on literary theory by renowned scholars.
- Attend online forums or discussion groups to engage with other learners and experts in the field.
Connect with a Literary Theory Expert
Show steps
Seek guidance and insights from an experienced scholar or practitioner in the field of literary theory.
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors through your university, professional organizations, or online platforms.
- Reach out to your chosen mentors and request a meeting or email exchange.
- Prepare specific questions and topics you would like to discuss related to literary theory.
Read Eagleton's 'Literary Theory: An Introduction'
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of literary theory by reading a foundational text in the field.
View
Ideology: An Introduction
on Amazon
Show steps
- Purchase or borrow a copy of Eagleton's 'Literary Theory: An Introduction'.
- Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
- Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.
Analyze Literary Texts Using Different Theories
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of literary theory by analyzing literary texts from various perspectives.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
- Select a short story, poem, or drama that you are familiar with.
- Analyze the text using one or two different literary theories, identifying key elements and interpreting the text's meaning.
- Compare and contrast your analyses to see how different theories yield different insights.
Participate in Peer Study Group
Show steps
Engage with fellow learners to discuss literary theory concepts and exchange perspectives.
Show steps
- Join or form a study group with other students in the course.
- Regularly meet to discuss assigned readings, share insights, and work through any challenging concepts.
- Present your own analysis of a literary text using a specific theoretical approach to the group.
Write a Literary Theory Essay
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of literary theory by applying it to the analysis of a specific literary work.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
- Choose a literary work that you are interested in analyzing.
- Select a specific literary theory or approach to guide your analysis.
- Write an essay that applies the theory to the work, providing textual evidence and critical insights.
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