COD 2008 - D040

Literary Theory: An introduction

Teachers of language and literature at secondary and tertiary level. It is a theoretical course with practical applications. Previous knowledge of literary theory is not required. However, experience in reading critical material of literary texts is necessary.

4 sessions, start: 08-Aug

Course detail

Year: 2008
Level: Distance
Language: English
Status: Ended
Lugar: A distancia
Facilitator/s: Martha Patricia De Cunto
Print course
ESSARP Schools
ARS
Exams Schools
ARS
Non affiliate
ARS 180.00

Sessions

Sessions Dates Schedule
1 08 August 2008 Online session
2 15 August 2008 Online session
3 22 August 2008 Online session
4 29 August 2008 Online session

Facilitator/s

Martha Patricia De Cunto

She holds a Master of Arts in Literary Linguistics from the University of Nottingham, UK and is currently doing a PhD in Literature at the University of Buenos Aires. She is also pursuing a Master's Degree in Cultural Studies at UNR. She has been a lecturer in American Literature, Children's Literature, YAL Literature and Introduction to Literary Studies at I.E.S. Lenguas Vivas "Juan Ramón Fernández". She has also taught Creative Writing at ISP “Joaquín V. González”. She has been a teacher of Language and Literature in several schools in Buenos Aires for more than 30 years.
Teachers of language and literature at secondary and tertiary level. It is a theoretical course with practical applications. Previous knowledge of literary theory is not required. However, experience in reading critical material of literary texts is necessary.
- Becoming acquainted with different theoretical frameworks for the analysis of texts.
- Applying literary theory to texts.
- Discussing topics related to theories for a deeper understanding of literature and literary criticism.
- Developing classroom activities to help students handle literary texts.
There will be mandatory and optional reading material. A "further reading option" will be available for a greater insight into the different literary schools, movements and related topics. Depending on time, enthusiasm and interests, students will have the chance to decide which optional material they want to read and discuss. Thus, students will be able to follow different paths during the development of the e-course.

Session 1: 1st week.
Unit I: Defining terms: Theory, literary theory, literary criticism, literariness, literature, meaning, author, reader.
Unit II: Practical Criticism and New Criticism.
Session 2: 2nd week.
Unit III: Structuralism. Formalism.
Session 3: 3rd week.
Unit IV: Phenomenology. Reception Theories.
Session 4: 4th week.
Unit V: Psychological Criticism.
- Presentation and discussion of theoretical frameworks.
- Discussion of key elements such as language, meaning, author, relation between text and reality, reader and text.
- Tasks at the end of each unit.
- Discussing how the framework can be applied to teaching material.
Note: Participants are expected to particpare actively in the discussion Forum and keep up with the tasks.
Mandatory Bibliography:
Students will be required to read poems, songs, and some extracts from novels, short stories and plays. They will also need to read chapters or sections from the following texts:
- Bennett, A. and Royle, N. (2004) An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, 3rd Harlow: Prentice Hall.
- Culler, J. (1997) Literary Theory. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
- Cuddon, J. A. (1992) Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, 3rd edition, Great Britain: Penguin.
- Eagleton, T. (1995) Literary Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed., Oxford: Blackwell.
- Leitch, Vincent B. and others (eds.) (2001) The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: W. W. Norton.
- Pope, R. (2001) The English Studies Book. London and New York: Routledge.
- Selden, R. and Widdowson, P. (1993) A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky.
Go back