English 480 -
Methodology & Practical Criticism
Fall 2001

The Course

This course was developed to accompany the Special Project (ENGL 490) for English Majors. Even with ENGL 490 no longer required for English Majors, it should be a helpful course for those students who major in English at Malaspina, and perhaps especially for those looking at continuing their studies after Malaspina.

This term, we attempt to answer three broad questions:

• what are the objects of literary study?
• what are the tools of literary study?
• what are some approaches to literary study?

Texts & Supplies

• Bressler, Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice
• Wofford, ed., Shakespeare's Hamlet, from the Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism series
• A package of reserve readings, available in the library

Evaluation

Your grade for the course will be based on these factors:

Syllabus

Tu Sept. 4	Introductions. Let's get real: papers, grades, conferences, articles, etc. Hamlet subjective response.
Tu Sept. 11	What is criticism? "Teaching" literature. Printing & publishing. Textual Problem #1: "Easter Wings"; [Easter Wings (1634)]; [Easter Wings (Williams ms.)] [written assn. #1 out]
Tu Sept. 18	Intention. READ: Foucault, "What Is an Author?", de Grazia, "What is a Work? What is a Document?", Bowers, "Authorial Intention and Editorial Problems" (RESERVES). Textual Problem #2: The Prelude. [long paper/presentation assignment out]
Tu Sept. 25	Library visit. Types of editions. READ: McGann, "What Is Critical Editing?", Greetham, "Some Types of Scholarly Edition" (RESERVES). Textual Problem #3: Hugh MacDiarmid. [written assn. #2 out].
Tu Oct. 2	Other research tools. MLA Handbook & ms. preparation. Listservs. READ: Bressler, ch. 2. Textual Problem #4: John Clare. [class presentation assn. #1 out].
Tu Oct. 9	Periodization. The "New" Criticism. READ: Bressler, ch. 3; Keats, "Ode on a Grecian Urn", "To Autumn".
Tu Oct. 16	Structuralism & Anthropological Criticism. Reader-Response Criticism. READ: Bressler, chs. 4 & 5; Hemingway, "A Very Short Story".
Tu Oct. 23	Hamlet - textual problems, discussion. READ: Hamlet, the "Note on the Text" (Wofford, 154-156), "A Critical History of Hamlet" (Wofford, 181). Hamlet (film).
Tu Oct. 30	Feminist Criticism. READ: Bressler, ch. 8; Wofford, 208-240. PRESENTATIONS: Julie, Structuralism & W. of B.; Anna, Structuralism & "Tam O'Shanter"
Tu Nov. 6	Psychoanalytic Criticism. READ: Bressler, ch. 7; Wofford, 241-282. PRESENTATIONS: Joanne, W. of B.'s Prologue; Christine, W. of B.'s Tale; Michael, Frankenstein; Kelly, "Goblin Market"; Sandra, "Lady of Shalott"
Tu Nov. 13	Deconstruction. READ: Bressler, ch. 6; Wordsworth, "A Slumber did my Spirit Seal"; Wofford, 283-331. PRESENTATIONS: Ingrid, Frankenstein; Angela, "Lady of Shalott"; Terra, "We Are Seven"; Wendy, "Goblin Market"
Tu Nov. 20	Marxist Criticism. READ: Bressler, ch. 9; Wofford, 332-367. PRESENTATIONS: Thuraya, Psychoanalysis & Beowulf; Jaclyn, "Goblin Market"; Pete, "Lady of Shalott"
Tu Nov. 27	New Historicism. READ: Bressler, ch. 10; Wofford, 368-402. PRESENTATIONS: David, "Goblin Market"; Barb B., Beowulf; Rhiannon, W. of B.; Aimee, Wuthering Heights; Barb D., Great Gatsby
Tu Dec. 4	Course wrap-up. PRESENTATIONS: Bill, Coleridge poem; Denise, Jekyll and Hyde; Lindsay, Marxism & Tess; Stella, Structuralism & Coleridge poem; Pam, Frankenstein

Information and Policies

1. My office is in Bldg. 340, room 234. My office hours this semester are as follows:
   

   Tu	8:30-9:30
   Tu	5:30-6:30
   Th	12:00-1:00

   and by appointment

2. Your essays will be graded with letter grades. For ease of comparison, here is my grade scale:
   A = 86-100% B = 73-85% C = 60-72% D = 50-59% F = 0-49%

3. The content, level, and participants in this class should provide us with a great seminar-type discussion. However, if you must miss a class, try to phone ahead (my campus phone local is 2114 - leave messages) and let me know. See me when you return so you can get an idea of what you missed.

4. Assignments are due by the start of class on the due date. After that, they are late and will be penalized at the rate of a grade per day (i.e., 1 day late, a "B" paper goes to "B-").