Advanced Literary Theory And Criticism

1. Demonstrate familiarity with the nature and various developments in literary theory and criticism from the Classical to the post-modern period.
2. Read, and interpret theoretical texts, exhibiting in-depth understanding of the central universal and peculiar ideas espoused in relation to the content and function of literature as well as the role of the artist.
3. Identify the conceptual underpinnings of different critical and literary texts.
4. Exploit various theoretical insights and approaches in the practical examination, interpretation, appraisal of literary texts. This is in order to project the meaning content of literary texts and make recommendations and value judgments.
5. Possess an advanced intellectual ability to adopt and defend a personal literary and critical concern and style.
6. Provide informed views on issues and establish connectedness between universal and provincial ideas across periods and texts.
7. Demonstrate enough verbal, written and interactive proficiency for formation and profession of ideas inside and outside the academic world.

13 weeks, about 40 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Preface

   • Unit 1: General Background · 2 hours

     Read the course guide to understand the course objectives, assessment methods, and study schedule.. Familiarize yourself with the course materials, including study units, textbooks, and assignment file.. Understand the nature and scope of Literary Theory and Criticism..

2. Week 2Module 1: Preface

   • Unit 1: General Background · 2 hours

     Explore the nature and scope of Literary Theory and Criticism.. Analyze the relationship between Literary Theory and Criticism.. Justify the importance of Literary Theory in Criticism..

3. Week 3Module 2: Classical Criticism

   • Unit 1: The Literary Theory of Plato · 3 hours

     Understand the historical background of Plato's literary theory.. Examine Plato's basic assumptions about inspiration, imitation, and the functions of literature.. Analyze Plato's arguments against poetry and its impact on the audience..

4. Week 4Module 2: Classical Criticism

   • Unit 2: Aristotelian Concept of Literature · 3 hours

     Study Aristotle's concept of inspiration and its relation to artistry.. Compare Aristotle's view of imitation with Plato's.. Analyze Aristotle's definition of tragedy and its elements..

5. Week 5Module 2: Classical Criticism

   • Unit 3: Longinus' Literary Ideas · 3 hours

     Examine Longinus' concept of the sublime and its sources.. Analyze Longinus' views on the impact of sublime texts on the audience.. Identify the key passages in Longinus' essay and understand his method of presentation..

6. Week 6Module 2: Classical Criticism

   • Unit 4: The Literary Concept of Horace · 3 hours

     Understand Horace's concept of decorum and its importance in literary works.. Examine Horace's views on the qualities and functions of a good creative writer.. Analyze Horace's methods of presentation and their effectiveness..

7. Week 7Module 3: Between the Classical and Modern Periods

   • Unit 1: Philip Sydney's Principle of Literature (Renaissance) · 3 hours

     Understand Philip Sydney's historical background and its influence on his literary theory.. Examine Sydney's basic assumptions about poetry, defense, criticism, and language.. Analyze Sydney's views on the relationship between poetry and other disciplines..

8. Week 8Module 3: Between the Classical and Modern Periods

   • Unit 2: Literary Theory of John Dryden (Neo-Classical) · 3 hours

     Study Dryden's views on ancient, modern, French, and English drama.. Analyze Dryden's arguments on rhyme versus blank verse.. Identify Dryden's key passages and understand his methods of presentation..

9. Week 9Module 3: Between the Classical and Modern Periods

   • Unit 3: Wordsworth's Principle (Romantic) · 3 hours

     Understand Wordsworth's emphasis on common life and the language of men.. Examine Wordsworth's views on the qualities of a poet and the nature of poetry.. Analyze Wordsworth's methods of presentation and their effectiveness..

10. Week 10Module 3: Between the Classical and Modern Periods

    • Unit 4: The views of Mathew Arnold (Victorian) · 3 hours

      Study Arnold's views on the nature and functions of poetry.. Examine Arnold's standards and role of criticism.. Analyze Arnold's methods of presentation and their effectiveness..

11. Week 11Module 4: Modern and Post-Modern Critical Criticisms

    • Unit 1: T. S. Eliot · 3 hours

      Understand Eliot's concept of tradition and individual talent.. Examine Eliot's views on poetry and criticism.. Analyze Eliot's methods of presentation and their effectiveness..

12. Week 12Module 4: Modern and Post-Modern Critical Criticisms

    • Unit 2: Structuralist Literary Theory and Criticism (Roland Barthes) · 3 hours

      Understand Barthes' concept of structuralism and its application to literature.. Examine Barthes' views on the creative writer and critic.. Analyze Barthes' methods of presentation and their effectiveness..

13. Week 13Module 4: Modern and Post-Modern Critical Criticisms

    • Unit 3: Psychoanalytic Literary Theory and Criticism (Sigmund Freud) · 3 hours

      Study Freud's concepts of the unconscious, human mind, defenses, infantile sexuality, and Oedipus complex.. Examine Lacan's views on stages of human development, the unconscious, and the Oedipus complex.. Analyze Jung's theories of the collective unconscious and human psyche..

    • Unit 4: Feminist and Marxist Theories of Literature · 3 hours

      Understand the historical background of feminist theory and criticism.. Examine Woolf's views on gender inequality and its impact on creativity.. Analyze Showalter's representation of Ophelia and the responsibilities of feminist criticism..