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Lecturer(s)
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Vít Ladislav, PhDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Introduction - What is literary theory? What is its use? What is 'meaning' and 'interpretation'? Beginnings: Aristotle, Plato. New Criticism and Russian Formalism: T.S. Eliot, C. Brooks, R.P. Warren, V. Shklovsky, V. Propp. Structuralism: R. Jakobson, Claude Lévi-Strauss, F. De Saussure. Marxist and Class Criticism: T. Eagleton, R. Williams. Post-coloniality and Ethnic Studies - E. Said, H. Bhabha. Feminism - H. Cixous, L. Mulvey. New Historicism - A. Sinfield, S. Greenblatt. Reader-Response Theory, Phenomenology, Reception Theory - W. Iser. Psychoanalysis - S. Freud, J. Lacan.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book)
- Participation in classes
- 26 hours per semester
- Preparation of a presentation (report) in a foreign language
- 8 hours per semester
- Term paper
- 30 hours per semester
- Independent critical reading
- 30 hours per semester
- Preparation for an exam
- 20 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course aims to provide students with the skills to use various literary-theoretical approaches for the interpretation of a literary text. In the introduction the seminars will open space for the discussion of basic concepts, such as "meaning", "text", "interpretation". The body of the course will focus on the 20th century theoretical approaches. Seminars take the form of discussions of individual critical schools (Structuralism, New Criticism, Russian Formalism, Post-coloniality and Ethnic Studies, Feminism, Marxism, etc.). This knowledge is simultaneously applied to primary text (C. Brontë: Jane Eyre or possibly Shelley's Frankenstein) for the sake of an illustrative interpretation. This approach to literary theory enables students to realize the interpretative potential of individual theoretical schools and the variety with which one text can be read. At the same time, students expand their practical critical and interpretative skills, which is a necessary aspect of their further and independent research.
Students will acquire socio-cultural, textual and analytical competence. Students will be able to interpret literary text through the prism of a chosen theoretical perspective.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Written examination
full-time study 1) 3 missed classes maximum + active participation is required. Students are expected to contribute to the class discussion, raise comments and ask questions related to the topics and texts 2) presentation of one assigned topic (group work) 3) full acquaintance with assigned texts for seminars (available in Moodle) 4) Assignment - students need to choose one British or American literary work (novel, play, poem/s) and analyze it from one of the theoretical perspectives. Texts and topics must be discussed with the lecturer during the term office hours. Formal requirements: 1000 words, typed, A4, Chicago Notes and bibliography, declaration of authorship in case of remote teaching: - lectures and seminars take place online via MS Teams - active participation of students in seminars - full acquaintance with assigned texts for seminars (available in Moodle) - presentation of one topic assigned at the beginning of the term (group activity) - final paper proving critical skills (for details see above)
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Recommended literature
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BALDICK, C. Criticism and Literary Theory 1890 to the Present. London; New York: Longman, 1996.
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BARRY, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2017.
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BRONTE, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. London: Penguin books, 2006.
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CUDDON, J. A. The Penguin dictionary of literary terms and literary theory. KNIHOVNA UPA. London: Penguin Books, 1998.
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CULLERS, J. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: OUP, 2011.
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GUERIN, W. L. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. New York: OUP, 1998.
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PEPRNÍK, M. Směry literární interpretace XX. století (texty a komentáře. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2004.
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