Schedule | Fall 2014
Current and Next Meeting
| Homework | In Class | |
| Unit 4: | Language and Authorship | |
| R 12/4 | HomeworkRead, Mark, and Be PreparedRead all seminar paper drafts (on paper!). Mark them and write in the margins. Come in ready to discuss them. Think in particular about
Bring all Books and Readings
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Day 26: Draft WorkshopDraft Workshop
Complete Discussion of Historical Materialism vs. Structuralism/Post-Structuralism
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| WEEK 15 T 12/9 |
HomeworkComplete and print one copy of your paper to turn in.
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Day 27: Papers Due |
| R 12/11 | Day 28: Presentations |
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| FINAL Exam Week |
September
| Homework | In Class | |
| Unit 1: | Text, Culture, Meaning | |
WEEK 1 |
Day 1: Introduction to Critical TheoryHow It WorksThe syllabus, the class, the English MA Program (see the checklist) The Power of Reading on PaperSee "Readers absorb less on Kindles than on paper" Unit 1: Texts, Culture, Meaning
Literary theory--or critical theory--is an explanation of how texts, culture, and meaning relate (among multiple possibilities)
Two Tool Boxes for Organizing Critical Theories
Preparation for Reading Plato and Aristotle
Terms
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| R 9/4 | HomeworkReadPlato: selection from The Republic, Book X (I will give you a handout handout): pages 307-324.1 Aristotle: Poetics, Parts I-VI, XXIV (see handout from class): pages 7-21.1. pages 91-101 Write and PostBefore noon on the day of class, post one discussion question to the Moodle forum "Plato," and one to the forum "Aristotle." Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation from the reading with a page number. (Use tenths--e.g., .2 or .7, as I have above--after the page number to indicate how far down the page the quotation begins. Also include beneath each question a sentence or two commenting on your reasons for asking the question, the directions that you hope the question might send discussion, a critical problem or idea that the question might help address, etc. |
Day 2: Plato and AristotleTerms
Resources
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| WEEK 2 T 9/9 |
HomeworkRead
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Day 3: Matthew Arnold and Oscar WildeTerms
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| R 9/11 | HomeworkRead1. Marx and Engels. "Preface" to A Contribution to a Critique of Political Economy. Szeman and Kaposy, pages 106-108 2. Marx and Engels. "The German Ideology." Szeman and Kaposy, pages 161-171 3. Marxist critic Fredric Jameson's definition of history from his book The Political Unconscous. Write and PostBefore noon on the day of class, post two discussion questions to the Moodle forum "Marx"
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Day 4: MarxTerms
Topics in "The German Ideology"
Topics in the Preface...
Resources
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| WEEK 3 T 9/16 |
HomeworkRead
Write and PostBefore noon on the day of class, post two discussion questions to the Moodle forum "Chopin." These questions should attempt to explore the relevance of The Awakening--its plot, characters, setting, style, language, etc.--to our current theme of Textuality and Culture (a.k.a. Representation and Society). Feel free to include in your questions ideas and quotations from the Introduction, as well as elements/aspects of the novel itself. |
Day 5: Awakening: Introduction, TextBelieving and Doubting GamesTerms
Resources |
| R 9/18 | HomeworkRead
Write and PostBefore noon on the day of class, post two discussion questions to the Moodle forum "Awakening." Question 1 should use a detail, issue, fact, etc. out of the "Contextual Documents" section to pose a question about a particular passage or scene in the novel. How does understanding more about the context enable us to interrogate the novel and our readings of it? Be sure to include page numbers from both the document and the novel. Question 2 should use a quotation or passage from the "Critical History" essay to pose a discussion question about our readings (interpretations, reactions) of the novel. Choose a particular passage in the novel (perhaps one we looked at last meeting) that presents an opportunity to apply the critical idea you've chosen, to challenge it, or in some way asks us to consider our own responses in light of that idea. Be sure to include page numbers for both passages/quotations.
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Day 6: Awakening: Critical HistoryTerms from Last Time
Today's Terms
Attitude of Naturalism (poem)A Man Said to the Universe A man said to the universe: Resources
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| Unit 2 | Power, Ideology and Identity | |
| WEEK 4 T 9/23 |
HomeworkRead
Write and Post 2 Discussion QuestionsOne discussion question each about Showalter and LeBlanc's articles. Be sure to cite a particular passage and page. As discussed in class last time, be sure to label the parts of each question:
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Day 7: The Awakening: Showalter (feminism) and LeBlanc (gender)Terms
Abstracts, CFPs
Tradition and Theory"Someone said, 'The dead writers are remote from us because we know so much more than they did.' Precisely, and they are what we know." - T.S. Eliot “Tradition and the Individual Talent”
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| R 9/25 | HomeworkRead"What is the New Historicism?" In The Awakening pages 257-269 Margit Stange: "Personal Property: Exchange Value and the Female Self in The Awakening." In The Awakening pages 274-290 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum "New Historicism" write two discussion questions: 1. A question that directs us to identify and explore the possibilities of the New Historicist approach 2. A question about how Stange applies New Historicist methods and ideas, and how her essay might help us understand the "What is the New Historicism" introduction (or vica versa). As discussed in class last time, be sure to label the parts of each question:
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Day 8: New HistoricismCFPs
Framing Questions:
Marx's Ideas of Commodity Values
Key New Historicist Ideas
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| WEEK 5 T 9/30 |
HomeworkWrite and Bring Seven CopiesWrite a 100-word proposal for a seminar paper and bring in five copies. The proposal should
Please include a copy of a CFP that could be an inspiration/destination for the project. ReadFredric Jameson. "Reification and Utopia in Mass Culture." Szeman and Kaposy, pages 60-71. Write and PostPost two discussion questions about the Jameson article: 1. Jameson's article is concerned with critiquing conventional notions of the mass culture/high culture distinction. Ask a question directed at generating a discussion of this topic, purpose and his execution of it. 2. Starting on page 66, Jameson demonstrates his critical apparatus in readings of Jaws and The Godfather. Write and post a discussuion question that will help us connect specfic passages of his demonstration to the theory itself presented in pages 60-66. How can Jameson's practice help us retrospectively understand his theory? Be sure to cite a particular passage and page number. It helps to identify the column (L or R) and how far down the page with a decimal point (e.g., .5 for halfway down). As discussed previously, be sure to label the parts of each question:
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Day 9: Jameson: Reification and Utopia100-Word Paper Proposals Due Paper Proposal DiscussionReification
Terms
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October
| Homework | In Class | |
| R 10/2 | HomeworkPrint and ReadWilliam Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800). Print out this PDF, and read it on paper. Mark in the margins to prepare for class discussion. Bring your marked copy to class. No reading on devices, please! Write and PostPost a discussion question to the Moodle forum "Romantic Theory." Your question should point us to a useful discussion of how Wordsworth is expressing a vision of "Texts, Culture, Meaning"--that is, a theory, and the ways that Romantic Theory compares and/or contrasts with other theories we've discussed. One framing question I'd like us to consider is where Romantic Theory would fit into our Idealism/Structuralism/Materialism toolbox, and where in our Kinneavian Discourse toolbox.) Your question might help direct us to conversations that help us decide. Be sure to cite a particular passage and page number. It helps to identify the column (R or L) and how far down the page with a decimal point (e.g., .5 for halfway down). Be sure to label the parts of the question:
Read Over and Come Back ReadyRead over the other proposals and come back ready to talk more about them. Be prepared to give more reflective feedback and suggestions.
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Day 10: Romantic Theory (Wordsworth)Framing Question:
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| WEEK 6 T 10/7 |
HomeworkRead
Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Reader Response," write a discussion question that directs us to dicuss the theoretical, methodological, and/or practical implications of what is said or demonstrated in these two readings about reader-response criticism. Be sure to wrap your question around a specific quotation with a page number. Label the parts of the question:
Revise Your ProposalRevise your proposal and bring in 7 copies to share. There is no need to re-copy your CFP unless you've found a new CFP that better speaks to your project.
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Day 11: Reader-Response Theory. Awakening, TreichlerTerms
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| R 10/9 | HomeworkReadAntonio Gramsci, "Hegemony" Pages 188-201 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Gramsci," write two discussion questions that would enable us to explore in the Gramsci reading one of the following topics:
Read and Make Notes on ResponsesRead and make notes on your copies of your classmates' proposals. Come in with one suggestion or observation about each ready to offer in dicussion. Bring Your Copy of The Awakening
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Day 12: GramshiTerms
Resources
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| WEEK 7 T 10/14 |
HomeworkReadLouis Althusser, "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses." 204-222 Michel Foucault. "Method" 134-138 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Althusser/Foucault," write two discussion questions that direct us to dicuss the readings in relation to "Ideology," "Power," and/or "Identity." Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation with a page number. Use the usual format:
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Day 13: Althusser and FoucaultTerms
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| R 10/16 | HomeworkWrite and BringWrite a draft of your 500-word absract, due on Tuesday, October 28 (12 days from now). Do not make copies, but bring your draft to class ready to talk about two challenges or questions that writing it raised for you. Bring All Books, Printouts, and Handouts
Choose, Post to Moodle, and Come Ready
"People forget years and remember moments" - Ann Beattie Think about our two units so far:
For each of these units, choose one sentence from one reading which represents for you a clear, expressive "moment" in that unit. In a posting to the appropriate Moodle forum, type that sentence in by noon of the day of class. You don't need to say anytning else. Be sure to cite and document the quotation in MLA format (meaning you should not use tenths or indicate left or right columns). Come prepared to read your chosen quotations and talk about your choice of them.
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Day 14: Taking StockNote that today's class will end at 4:00.
Discuss Drafts of Abstracts
Review "Text, Culture, Meaning" (Theory)
Review "Power, Ideology, Identity" (Subjectivity)
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| Unit 3: | Temporality, Space, and History | |
| WEEK 8 T 10/21 |
HomeworkReadRaymond Williams "Dominant, Residual, and Emergent" pg. 353-356 Jean-Francois Lyotard, "Answering the Question: What is Postmodernism?" pg. 357-363 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Williams and Lyotard," write two discussion questions that direct us to discuss these readings in relation to our unit theme of "temporality, space, and History." Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation with a page number. As usual, be sure to label the parts of each question:
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Day 15: Raymond Williams, LyotardLibrary DatabasesFrom the Libraries Home page, click Library Guides > English (from the long list) > Databases (tab at top) to get to the English Subject Databases page. ZoteroI will show you how to download and use a bibliographic browser plug-in called Zotero. Terms
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| R 10/23 |
HomeworkReadIntroduction ("Space and Scale" section) pages 251-254, Szeman and Kaposy Michel de Certeau, pages 264-273, Szeman and Kaposy Review for DiscussionMichel Foucault. "Method" 134-138 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "de Certeau," write a discussion question that directs us to discuss the reading in relation to our current theme of "temporality, space, and History." Be sure to wrap your question around a specific quotation with a page number. As usual, be sure to label the parts of your question:
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Day 16: de Certeau, Foucault (again) |
| WEEK 9 T 10/28 |
HomeworkBring
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Day 17: Discussion500-Word Paper Abstracts dueSections in Crtitical Theory
Resources
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| R 10/30 | HomeworkRead and comment on the 500-word abstracts (subject and apparatus) |
No Class Meeting
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November
Homework |
In Class |
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| WEEK 10 T 11/4 |
HomeworkReadFredric Jameson's "Periodizing the '60s" pages 376-390. Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Jameson: Periodizing," write a discussion question. Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation with a page number. Label the parts of the question:
BringBring the abstracts that you read and commented on. Be prepared to provide feedback, advice, and responses. |
Day 18: Workshop Abstracts; Jameson PeriodizingTerms
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| Unit 4: | Language and Authorship | |
| R 11/6 | HomeworkReadJacques Lacan. "The Instance of the Letter in the Unconscious, or Reason since Freud" 432-448 Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Lacan," write a discussion question. Be sure to wrap the question around a specific quotation (or two) with a page number(s). Label the parts of the question:
Email MePlease email me to arrange an individual conference about your seminar paper project.
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Day 19: LacanTerms
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| WEEK 11 T 11/11 |
HomeworkReadWhat is Deconstruction? pgs 291- 310, The Awakening. "A Language Which Nobody Understood": Emancipatory Strategies in The Awakening" pgs. 311-336, The Awakening. Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Deconstruction," write two discussion questions: one about each reading. Questions asking us to relate one reading to the other would also be welcome. Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation (or two) with a page number(s). Label the parts of the question:
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Day 20: Awakening: Deconstruction; YeagerTerms
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| R 11/13 | ReadMichel Foucault's "What is an Author?" Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "What is an Author," write a discussion question. Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation with a page number. Label the parts of the question:
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Day 21: Foucualt: What is an Author?Terms
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| WEEK 12 T 11/18 |
HomeworkReadMikhail Bakhtin. from "Discourse in the Novel" The Dialogic Imagination. Pages 259, 275-331. Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Bakhtin,"write a discussion question. Be sure to wrap the question around a specific quotation (or two) with a page number(s). Label the parts of the question:
Write, Print and BringBring in seven copies of your annotated bibiography |
Day 22: BakhtinAnnotated Bibliography Due |
| R 11/20 | HomeworkPrint and ReadJohn Guillory's "Literary Studies and the Modern System of the Disciplines" from Disciplinarity at the Fin de Seicle. Write and PostIn the Moodle forum, "Guillory," write a discussion question. Be sure to wrap each question around a specific quotation with a page number. Label the parts of the question:
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Day 23: Guillory |
| WEEK 13 T 11/25 |
Day 24: No Class Meeting, Optional Conferences |
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| R 11/27 | HAPPY THANKSGIVING |
December