Syllabus in Literary Criticism

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Course Code/Title                                                      : LITERARY CRITICISM
Prerequisite                                                                : World Literature
Course Credit                                                             : 3 units

Course Description:

The study and use of different literary theories to write critiques on selections from various literary genres.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1. identify the history and concepts of the various literary theories;
2. write informed critiques of various literary pieces according to the various literary theories;
3. gain an appreciation of critiquing literary texts through the use of various literary theories; and
4. to have integrated the PCU and CASTE values.

Course Outline:

TIME FRAME	CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER
Week 1	I.    Introduction to the Course       A.   Getting to know the instructor, the students, and the course       B.   Distribution of course syllabus       C.   Introduction to Literary Criticism
Week 2-3	II.   Structuralist Criticism       A. Prose/Fiction                                            1.   Elements of fiction             2.   Responding to fiction
Week 4-5	B.   Poetry             1.   Elements of poetry             2.  Analyzing poetry
Week 6	PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Week 7	C.   Plays/Drama             1. Elements of drama             2. Analyzing drama
Week 8	D.  Essay             1. Types of essay             2. Analyzing essays
Week 9	III. Feminist Criticism       A. Background and concepts of feminism       B.   Reading feminist works       C.   Writing critiques using feminist criticism
Week 10-11	IV. Marxist Criticism       A. Background and concepts of Marxism       B.   Reading and critiquing Marxist literature       C.   Marxist understanding of literature
Week 12	MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Week 13-14	V. Deconstruction/New Historical/Post-Modern Criticism       A. Background and concepts of Deconstructivism, New Historical Criticism, and Post-Modernism       B.  Critiquing literature using deconstructive criticism
Week 15-16	VI. Psychoanalytic Criticism       A.  Background and concepts of psychoanalytic theory       B.   Critiquing literature using psychoanalytic criticism
17	VII. Reader-Response Criticism                 A.  Background and concepts of Reader-Response Criticism       B.   Critiquing literature using Reader-Response Criticism
Week 18	FINAL EXAMINATION

Textbooks/Materials:

Abcarian, Richard and Klotz, Mark. (2000). Literature: Reading and writing the human        experience (Shorter 7th ed.). USA: Bedford/St. Martin.

Bascara, L. R. (2003). World literature (rev. ed.). Manila: Rex Bookstore.

de Guzman Rosales, R. (2012).  Literary criticism reconsidered. Malabon: Jimczyvulle Publications.

Kirszner, L. G.  & S. R. Mandell. (2001). Pattern for college writing: A  rhetorical reader and guide. (8th ed.). Boston/New York:  Bedford/St.Martin’s.

 
Tomeldan, Yolanda V. (1986). Prism: An introduction to literature. Manila: National Bookstore

Guerrero, G. T. (2013). Instructional Minutes. URL: http://instructionalminutes.blogspot.com.

--Updated November 29, 2013