ENGL 4011-01 Critical Theory                                 Fall 2011

CRN: 86946 (MWF 10-10:50 p.m.)

Clayton Hall Room T-217

Catalogue Description:  A study of different theoretical approaches to the interpretation of texts and other cultural objects. These theories are then applied to selected works drawn from literature, the mass media, and fine arts.

Course Pre-Requisites: ENGL 1102 with a grade of C; One 2000-level ENGL survey course with grade of C (limited to the following courses: ENGL 2111, ENGL 2112, ENGL 2121, ENGL 2122, ENGL 2200, ENGL 2131, ENGL 2132)

General Education outcomes:

The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components:

Communications outcomes components

Critical thinking outcomes components

Department Learning Outcomes:  This course meets department learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the outcomes listed below.

All English majors will be able to:  1. Analyze and evaluate texts that reflect diverse genres, time periods, and cultures. 2. Analyze the ways in which language and literature are related to class, culture, ethnicity, gender, histories, race, and sexuality. 3. Interpret texts from various perspectives by using close readings supported by textual evidence, and informed by critical theory. 4. Produce a variety of materials, including oral presentations, for a range of rhetorical contexts. 5. Conduct effective research and writing as it relates to the field of English studies, by using a variety of technical and information sources.

Course Outcomes: By the end of ENGL 4011, students will be able 1) to analyze and remember major literary and cultural theories of the nineteenth through twenty-first centuries; 2) to interpret and apply these theories to literary texts, and in light of the 21^st century American cultural context; and 3) research and synthesize theoretical approaches to literature using databases and library resources.

Course Content Statement for Education Department: The content of this course syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/professional education associations.  Please refer to the course correlation matrices located at the following website: 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%Outcomes.htm

Instructor Information:

Dr. Kathryn Pratt Russell                                 email: KathrynPrattRussell@clayton.edu

phone: 678-416-8271 (cell)                 office: Arts and Sciences Building, Room G210-J

office hours: MWF 11 a.m.-12 noon; also 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ALSO Thurs 5-6 p.m.

Website: http://a-s.clayton.edu/kpratt/index.htm

Textbook Information:

Textbooks:

Literary Theory: An Anthology, Ed. Rivkin and Ryan. SECOND EDITION. Blackwell, 2004.

 The.Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, by David Mitchell.

BUYING THESE TEXTS IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE COURSE. YOU CANNOT USE COMPUTER VERSIONS OF THESE TEXTS. FAILURE TO BRING THE APPROPRIATE BOOK TO CLASS ON THE DAY FOR WHICH IT IS ASSIGNED WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM THE DAY’S CLASS.

Text Coverage: See Class Schedule

Grading: 

For assigning a grade at the end of the term, I use a ten-point grade scale: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D; below 60=F.

I will assign letter grades throughout the semester that will be translated into numeric grades at semester’s end.  Here is how your daily grades translate into numbers:

A+ 100     A 95     A- 92.5

B+ 87.5    B 85      B- 82.5

C+ 77.5    C 75     C- 72.5

D+ 67.5    D 65     D- 62.5

F 55  (As Opposed to Incomplete Work 0)

Grade Distribution:

First Paper (4-5 pp): 20%                               Midterm Exam: 20%

Class Participation (incl. Quizzes): 20%       Second Paper (5-6 pp): 20%

Final Exam: 20%

Class Meetings:

MWF 10-10:50 a.m.; CLAYTON HALL ROOM T-217

Midterm Progress Report:

The midterm grade in this course, which will be issued BY OCT 5, reflects approximately 30% of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of W. Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, or withdraw online using the Swan by midterm, which occurs on Oct 7.  The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday October 7, 2011.

COURSE POLICIES

General Policy:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Handbook (url) and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities (http://a-s.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudent Responsibilities.htm)

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based on the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected for all class periods and exam periods. Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority.

Students with more than 9 unexcused absences (20% of coursework) will be administratively withdrawn from the course with a grade of WF.  Students with more than 5 unexcused absences will earn an “F’ for the class participation grade (20%). 

Missed Work:

Without a valid excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for all missed work.

With a valid excuse, a daily grade (quiz or small group exercise) will be excused. A student presentation grade must be made up within two weeks of the excused absence. An in-class paper must be made up within a week of the excused absence. The final exam must be taken.

Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, STC 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student’s academic program.  Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU’s Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Pre-requisites: Student is able to use the Windows operating system; able to use Microsoft Word word-processing; able to send and receive email using Outlook or Outlook Express; able to attach and retrieve attached files via email; able to use a Web browser.

Computer Use In This Course:

Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course.  You may not open your computer during class unless you have express permission from the instructor. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Quizzes:  Students should expect announced quizzes and occasional pop quizzes.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic disconduct. The most common two types are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Cheating on an exam will earn the student an “F” for the course.

Plagiarism involves copying another person’s words or ideas without citing the source with appropriate documentation.  A plagiarized paper is considered an incomplete assignment.  Any student who plagiarizes will earn an F for the course.

Writing Assistance:

The Writers’ Studio is located in the A&S building, Room 224. There you can talk with trained tutors about your writing projects, including assigned in-class writing for this course. The service is free: you may drop in and wait for a tutor or sign up for a regular appointment. You, not your tutor, are responsible for the quality and content of the papers you write and submit.

Operation Study: At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

Course Schedule

M Aug 15 Introduction

W Aug 17 Mitchell, The Thousand Autumns

F Aug 19 Rivkin and Ryan, “Formalisms” p. 3

M Aug 22 Bakhtin, p. 674, 686

W Aug 24 Autumns

F Aug 26 Brooks,p. 22, 28

M Aug 29 Structuralism, p. 53; Culler, p. 56

W Aug 31 Saussure, p. 59; Jakobson, p. 76

F Sept 2 Foucault, p. 90; Autumns

M Sept 5 NO CLASSES (LABOR DAY)

W Sept 7 Rivkin and Ryan, “Psychoanalysis” p. 389

F Sept 9 Freud, p. 397, 415

M Sept 12 Freud, p. 418, 438; Lacan, p. 441

W Sept 14 Lacan, p. 447, Autumns

F Sept 16 Autumns, FIRST PAPER DUE (4-5 pp.)

M Sept 19 Rivkin and Ryan,  “Marxism” p. 643

W Sept 21 Hegel, p. 647; Marx, p. 650, 653

F Sept 23 Marx, p. 659, 665; Gramsci, p. 673

M Sept 26 Althusser, p. 693; REVIEW FOR EXAM

W Sept 28 MIDTERM EXAM

F Sept 30 Rivkin and Ryan, “Language and Action” p. 127, Husserl, p.137

M Oct 3 Austin, p. 162; Rivkin and Ryan, “Post-Structuralism” p. 257

W Oct 5 Nietzsche, p. 262, 266

F Oct 7 Autumns; MIDTERM, LAST DAY--WITHDRAW WITH W

M Oct 10 Heidegger, p. 271

W Oct 12 Autumns

F Oct 14 Derrida, p. 278

M Oct 17 Derrida, p. 300

W Oct 19 “Historicisms” p. 505; Foucault, p. 549

F Oct 21 Autumns

M Oct 24 Rivkin and Ryan, “Feminist Paradigms” p. 765

W Oct 26 Rubin, p. 770

F Oct 28 Gilbert and Gubar, p. 812; Lorde, p. 854

M Oct 31 Rivkin and Ryan, “Contingencies of Gender,” p. 885

W Nov 2 Sedgwick, p. 912; Butler, p. 900

F Nov 4 Halberstam, p. 935; Autumns

M Nov 7 Rivkin and Ryan, “Ethnic Literary and Cultural Studies”

W Nov 9 Morrison, p. 1005; “English Without Shadows: Postcolonial,” p. 1071

F Nov 11 Said, p. 1112

M Nov 14 Bhabha, p. 1167

W Nov 16 Autumns

F Nov 18 “Cultural Studies”

M Nov 21 SECOND PAPER DUE (5-6 pp)

W Nov 23-25 THANKSGIVING NO CLASSES

M Nov 28 Benjamin, p. 1235; Fiske, p. 1274

W Nov 30 Films in Theory

F Dec 2 LAST DAY OF CLASS; EXAM REVIEW

Dec 4-10 FINAL EXAMS