Fall 2014
MW 10:00-11:15
WC Carlos Hall, 212
Professor Chinn
lchinn@emory.edu
Office: Callaway N314
Office Hours: Monday, 11:15-12:30
Thursday, 12:45-2:00
Language is not everything. It is only a vital clue to where the self loses its boundaries.
- Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak
Just what is literature? Why is literature a discipline that has transcended national and historical
boundaries? English 384, Criticism, serves as an introduction to the systematic study of literature
and will prepare you to read and write with careful attention to literatures theoretical underpinnings.
The first unit of this course will take you through the history of literary theory, starting with Plato on
poetry and ending with Kant on aesthetics. The second unit will bring us to the 20th century. We will
discuss wide-ranging theories brought forth by the Frankfurt School, symbolic logic, deconstruction,
psychoanalysis, and feminist and queer theories. We will end the class with a unit on current theories
in media studies, a burgeoning, international field of study.
Required Texts: Please buy the exact copy with the correct ISBN number:
Ross, Stephen. Art and Its Significance: An Anthology of Aesthetic Theory. ISBN 978-0791418529
All other texts will be uploaded as pdfs to: http://lisachinn.com/sample-page/eng-384rwschedule-of-classes-with-readings/
Laptop/ E-Reader policy: I do not allow laptops or E-Readers in the classroom. While we have a
course website and are using Blackboard for the summary component of the class, recent studies
have shown that writing by hand actually improves retention of classroom discussions. Please take
notes by hand. (Youll thank me after you take your midterm exam!) Youll have ample opportunity
to use online resources outside the classroom, resources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, found here: http://plato.stanford.edu/ Or the Johns Hopkins Guide to Critical Theory,
found here: http://litguide.press.jhu.edu/ The only exception to this rule is when it is your turn
to present the reading. If you like, you may bring in your laptop to show images/ outlines/
etc.
Mobile Phone Policy: Absolutely NO mobile phones allowed in class. If I see you looking at
your crotch, I will assume you are looking at your phone and will ask you to leave the
classroom for the day.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course I expect that you will be able
-To read and annotate theoretical texts carefully.
-To identify overarching arguments.
-To advance compelling interpretations of theories through discussion and writing.
-To analyze theory in relation to historical context.
-To think critically and creatively about literature and literary theory.
Grading Breakdown:
10% Participation in class
5% Annotation
35% Summaries (500 words, twice/week)
Grading Rubric:
A 94-100
A- 90-93.9
B+ 87-89.9
B 83-86.9
B- 80-82.9
C+ 77-79.9
C 73-76.9
C- 70-72.9
D+ 67-69.9
D 63-66.9
D- 60-62.9
Further Assistance
Writing Center
The Writing Center is an excellent resource for writers of all skill levels. It offers assistance
with all aspects of writing, including brainstorming, organization, thesis formation, style,
wording, and revision. I strongly encourage each of you to schedule a meeting at the Writing
Center at least once this semester. It is a good idea to secure appointments as far in advance
as possible, especially towards the end of the semester when the Writing Center is busiest.
The Writing Center is located in Callaway North 212. Make an appointment in person, or
call the Writing Center at (404) 727-6451. The Writing Centers website is
<http://www.writingcenter.emory.edu/>
Disability Accommodations
It is the policy of Emory University to make reasonable accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. These accommodation requests are best made early in the semester
and do not become active until the student presents to the instructor the official support
letter from the ODS. Accommodations are not retroactive.
To contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS):
Telephone: 404-727-9877
Fax: 404-727-1126
Web address: <http://www.ods.emory.edu/>
Counseling Center
The Emory Student Counseling Center provides free, confidential counseling for enrolled
students. If you need help with any stress, problem, or crisis, please contact them at (404)
727-7450. The website is at <http://studenthealth.emory.edu/cs>
Midterm Exam
The purpose of the midterm exam is to assess your ability to quickly synthesize key terms,
movements, names, and historical context. It will be an in-class exam, so please bring a blue book on
the day of the exam.
Final Paper:
DUE Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30 pm via email
We will have an in-class workshop to work on your final paper, which will be held on
November 17.
I encourage all of you to set up an appointment to speak with me about your final paper and
any external resources you use.
Purpose of Final Paper:
The purpose of the final paper will be:
- to assess your ability to articulate a critical position
- to deepen your knowledge of a school of literary thought
- to synthesize concepts, vocabulary, and structures that run through a school of literary thought
- to display an ability to critique the underlying assumptions embedded in a school of thought
Final paper approaches:
You have a few choices about how you approach the final paper:
-You can write a defense of a particular school of criticism
-You can write a critique of a particular school of criticism
-You can write a survey of recurrent questions on the status of art in society
-You can trace a single word as it has been used through multiple texts (for instance, if you
wanted to trace the imaginary, you would want to start with Lacan and run through
Cixous and Irigaray, and, just to add a twist, end with Spivak)
Technical requirements:
-You must use a minimum of 5 secondary sources in addition to the materials on the syllabus.
-Your final paper should be 10 pages in length, in Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1 margins all
around.
-MLA format
Reminders:
In your conclusion, dont just restate your argument. Try to answer the So what? or Why
does this matter? question.
Carefully proofread for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage.
Make an appointment with the Writing Center. They are wonderful people and extremely
helpful!
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Criticism, found online under Emory Library
Databases: http://litguide.press.jhu.edu.proxy.library.emory.edu/
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: http://plato.stanford.edu/