Course Description:

This course focuses on current trends in literary and cultural theory, with a minor focus on digital humanities. Our overall goal is to explore both the philosophical and socio-political dimension of theoretical paradigms such as structuralism, deconstruction, post-colonialism, feminism, network theory, reader response, etc. Two critical premises will guide our discussion: first, the belief that there is no “meta-theory” able to account for all the insights fashioned by the different approaches to literary and cultural production. The second premise holds that theories do not just emerge out of a socio-historical vacuum but always carry within themselves traces of the particular context in which they emerge. Examining that context, then, is an essential part for understanding theory in general. Rather than dismissing a particular critical approach as “unrealistic” or “outdated,” it is more productive to assess its strength and weaknesses within and beyond the historical context during which it emerged. This approach will help you to become more familiar with whatever theory you will find most useful for your own work. The course begins with a brief discussion of the “linguistic turn” in 20th century theory. Thereafter, each session is dedicated to a particular field of theory and explores texts by 2-3 authors included in The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. The last five weeks of the semester are reserved for the history, theory, and practice of digital humanities. 

Required Text 

Vincent B. Leitch, et al., eds.  The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, 3rd edition (New York: Norton, 2018).