Literary Theory and Criticism

Unit 1 – Formalism and New Criticism

Unit 2 – Structuralism & Semiotics in Literary Theory

Unit 3 – Poststructuralism & Deconstruction

Unit 4 – Psychoanalytic Criticism in Literary Theory

Unit 5 – Marxist Literary Theory

Unit 6 – Feminist Literary Theory

Unit 7 – Postcolonial theory

Unit 8 – New Historicism & Cultural Materialism

Unit 9 – Reader-Response Theory

Unit 10 – Ecocriticism in Literary Theory

Unit 11 – Queer Theory & Gender Studies

Unit 12 – Postmodernism in Literary Theory

## What do you learn in Literary Theory and Criticism

You'll explore different ways of interpreting and analyzing literature. The course covers major theoretical approaches like structuralism, post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, feminism, and postcolonialism. You'll learn to apply these theories to various texts, understand the historical context of literary criticism, and develop your own critical thinking skills.

## Is Literary Theory and Criticism hard?

It can be pretty challenging, not gonna lie. The concepts are often abstract and the readings can be dense. But don't let that scare you off. Once you get the hang of it, it's actually super interesting. The key is to keep an open mind and be ready to think in new ways. It might stretch your brain, but that's kinda the point.

## Tips for taking Literary Theory and Criticism in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Start a study group to discuss readings and theories
3. Don't just memorize, try to apply theories to books or movies you like
4. Keep a glossary of key terms (like "deconstruction" or "hermeneutics")
5. Watch YouTube videos explaining complex theories (check out Yale Courses)
6. Read primary texts alongside critical essays about them
7. Practice writing your own critical analyses
8. Check out "The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism" for extra context

## Common pre-requisites for Literary Theory and Criticism

1. Introduction to Literature: This course gives you a solid foundation in reading and analyzing various literary genres. You'll learn basic literary terms and techniques for close reading.

2. Composition and Rhetoric: Here, you'll hone your writing skills and learn to construct strong arguments. This class is crucial for developing the analytical writing abilities you'll need in Literary Theory.

## Classes similar to Literary Theory and Criticism

1. Philosophy of Language: Explores how language works and how it relates to meaning and reality. You'll dive into theories of reference, truth, and linguistic meaning.

2. Cultural Studies: Examines how cultural practices relate to systems of power. You'll analyze various cultural texts and artifacts using interdisciplinary approaches.

3. Comparative Literature: Focuses on literature from different cultures and languages. You'll study how literary traditions interact and influence each other across national and linguistic boundaries.

4. Film Theory: Applies critical theory to cinema. You'll learn about different approaches to analyzing films and understanding their cultural significance.

## Majors related to Literary Theory and Criticism

1. English Literature: Focuses on the study of literary texts from various periods and genres. Students develop critical reading and writing skills while exploring the cultural and historical contexts of literature.

2. Comparative Literature: Involves studying literature across different languages, cultures, and disciplines. Students gain a broad understanding of global literary traditions and learn to analyze texts from diverse perspectives.

3. Philosophy: Explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and the nature of reality. Students develop skills in logical reasoning, critical analysis, and constructing arguments.

4. Cultural Studies: Examines how cultural practices and products intersect with power structures in society. Students learn to analyze various forms of cultural expression, from literature and film to popular media and everyday practices.

## What can you do with a degree in Literary Theory and Criticism?

1. Literary Critic: Write reviews and analyses of literary works for publications or academic journals. You'll need to stay up-to-date with current literature and be able to articulate complex ideas clearly.

2. Editor: Work with authors to refine their writing and prepare manuscripts for publication. You'll need a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of what makes good writing.

3. University Professor: Teach literary theory and criticism courses at the college level. You'll also conduct research and publish your own scholarly work in the field.

4. Content Strategist: Develop and manage content for websites, social media, or marketing campaigns. Your analytical skills and understanding of narrative will be valuable in creating engaging content.

## Literary Theory and Criticism FAQs

1. Do I need to read a lot of books for this course? You'll definitely be doing a fair amount of reading, but it's not all novels. A lot of the reading will be theoretical texts and critical essays.

2. Can I apply these theories to other media, like films or video games? Absolutely! Many of these theories can be applied to various forms of media and cultural products.

3. Will this class help me become a better writer? While it's not a writing course per se, analyzing texts and learning to construct arguments will definitely improve your writing skills.

English Language and Literature

1.7 Irony

1.9 Cleanth Brooks

1.10 T.S. Eliot

1.3 Affective fallacy

1.5 Organic unity

1.6 Ambiguity and paradox

1.4 Heresy of paraphrase

1.1 Close reading

1.2 Intentional fallacy

1.8 Tension

2.2 Binary oppositions

2.3 Syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations

2.7 Ferdinand de Saussure

2.8 Roland Barthes

2.4 Narratology

2.1 Linguistic structures

2.5 Mythemes

2.9 Vladimir Propp

2.6 Codes and conventions

2.10 Tzvetan Todorov

3.5 Dissemination

3.6 Trace

3.7 Jacques Derrida

3.8 Michel Foucault

3.9 Julia Kristeva

3.4 Intertextuality

3.3 Aporia

3.10 Paul de Man

3.1 Differance

3.2 Logocentrism

4.1 Unconscious desires

4.2 Oedipus complex

4.6 Transference

4.7 Sigmund Freud

4.8 Jacques Lacan

4.9 Carl Jung

4.3 Castration anxiety

4.4 Sublimation

4.10 Julia Kristeva

4.5 Dream interpretation

5.3 Alienation

5.2 Ideology

5.1 Base and superstructure

5.7 Hegemony

5.8 Karl Marx

5.9 Louis Althusser

5.10 Fredric Jameson

5.5 Reification

5.4 Commodification

5.6 Class struggle

6.1 Patriarchy

6.2 Gender roles

6.3 Female subjectivity

6.4 Écriture féminine

6.5 Gynocriticism

6.6 Intersectionality

6.8 Luce Irigaray

6.9 Elaine Showalter

6.10 Judith Butler

6.7 Hélène Cixous

7.1 Orientalism

7.2 Hybridity

7.3 Mimicry

7.4 Subaltern

7.5 Diaspora

7.6 Cultural imperialism

7.7 Edward Said

7.8 Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

7.9 Homi K. Bhabha

7.10 Frantz Fanon

8.1 Thick description

8.2 Poetics of culture

8.3 Circulation of social energy

8.4 Subversion and containment

8.5 Negotiation

8.6 Raymond Williams

8.7 Stephen Greenblatt

8.8 Louis Montrose

8.9 Jonathan Dollimore

8.10 Alan Sinfield

9.1 Interpretive communities

9.2 Horizon of expectations

9.3 Implied reader

9.4 Gaps and indeterminacies

9.5 Transactional theory

9.6 Affective stylistics

9.7 Stanley Fish

9.8 Wolfgang Iser

9.9 Hans Robert Jauss

9.10 Norman Holland

10.1 Anthropocentrism

10.2 Biocentrism

10.3 Deep ecology

10.4 Ecofeminism

10.5 Wilderness

10.6 Pastoral

10.10 Rob Nixon

10.7 Cheryll Glotfelty

10.8 Lawrence Buell

10.9 Ursula K. Heise

11.2 Performativity

11.3 Homosociality

11.6 Transgender studies

11.7 Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

11.8 Judith Butler

11.10 José Esteban Muñoz

11.1 Heteronormativity

11.4 Homoerotic desire

11.5 Camp aesthetics

11.9 Jack Halberstam

12.8 Jean Baudrillard

12.9 Fredric Jameson

12.10 Linda Hutcheon

12.1 Metanarrative

12.5 Fragmentation

12.6 Irony and parody

12.7 Jean-François Lyotard

12.3 Pastiche

12.4 Hyperreality

12.2 Simulacrum

Browse all Literary Theory and Criticism Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next