Purpose This is not intended to be a survey of twentieth century English literature. The purpose of this course is to look in some detail at two major literary movements that came to dominate twentieth century English literature – modernism and postmodernism. For both movements the course will focus on fiction. A selection of representative texts will be examined in some detail and from a number of theoretical perspectives.
ENGLISH 659: Seminar In Twentieth Century English Literature
Nature of the course This seminar focuses on British novels and novellas since the end of World War Two. It concentrates on novels favoring a non-realist approach. The course will privilege postmodern theory and metafiction as the principal (but not exclusive) prism through which these texts will be analyzed.
ENGLISH 696: Seminar In Literary Criticism and Research
Purpose This seminar is designed for students qualified for admission to the MA program in English. An English MA candidate may not be enrolled in any other 600 level course without completion of or concurrent enrolment in English 696. Its purpose is to train graduate students in basic literary research methods (including techniques of bibliography, an introduction to important literary reference works, and the writing of research papers), and preeminently in literary theory. The course will concentrate on major twentieth century theories of literature and literary criticism. The writing of theoretically informed research papers will be an integral part of the course.
English 696: Seminar in Literary Criticism and Research - STUDENT ORAL TOPICS
When making an oral presentation of a literary theory you should normally order it in the sequence suggested under each theory below. In every case you should start with a comprehensive survey to the theory in general, then locate the place the text (or texts) from the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism occupies within the general field of that theory, and end up with a closer explanation of the text(s) (select specific passages with page numbers for detailed consideration in class). The bibliographies offer a selected list of works concerned with literary theory that student presenters might wish to consult. Use the list selectively. You won't be able to obtain every book, and you may find other books that are available helpful. Your student handout should end with a briefly annotated list of works consulted.
[If any of you are presenting applications of literary theory you will also want to consult this bibliography for an understanding of the theory. In addition you should look at the relevant chapter in Selden and/or Brooker and Widdowson, the section applying the theory where one exists from the St. Martin's edition of either Hamlet or A Portrait of the Artist, the bibliography attached to that section, and whatever other applications of the theory you can locate via the MLA bibliography and other bibliographical sources. Where an article applying the theory is found in either of the St Martin's texts use this as a starting point, and proceed to other actual or possible applications of the theory. Your student handout should also end with a list of works consulted.]
English 696: Seminar in Literary Criticism and Research - ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
What is an Annotated Bibliography? An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the nature, relevance and quality of the sources cited. Spend most of the annotation summarizing the argument of the source. Briefly comment on its intellectual level and usefulness.
