ENG 271 - The Act of Interpretation - Fall 2009 - Prof. Steve Evans

Basic Course Information

ENG 271-01 is a three-credit class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:15pm in Donald P. Corbett 113. The class number for the course is 8660. Only students who have successfully completed English 170, The Foundations of Literary Analysis (or its transfer equivalent) are eligible to enroll for English 271. The class fulfills one of the three core requirements of the English major and is also appropriate for some students training to teach English in high schools. In addition, it satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition and Writing Intensive Requirements. Students with an interest in literary theory may follow up their work in 170 and 271 in English 470, Literary Theory and Criticism, and in other 400-level classes.

Course Description

The catalog description of this course reads simply: "An introduction to critical theory. Study of individual critics or schools of literary theory. Application of these interpretative strategies to literary texts."

In this particular section of the class, we will read, discuss, and write about a variety of consequential texts from the history of literary hermeneutics, poetics, and cultural studies, starting with Plato and Aristotle and extending to our own day. The central questions we will explore are: What is language? What makes an interpretation valid? Who is authorized to speak? What is ideology and how does it work to confer identity on subjects? In addition to our work with the printed word, we will occasionally apply hermeneutical principles to the analysis of pop songs selected by students in the class.

Required Texts

• Leitch, et al. | Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism | Norton 2001 | ISBN 0393974294
• Sigmund Freud | Interpretation of Dreams | Avon 1980 | ISBN 0380010003
• Marcel Proust | Swann's Way | Penguin 2004 | ISBN 0142437964

All three books are available at the UMaine Bookstore, but note that used editions of both the Freud and Proust are widely available.

The Fogler Library recently acquired a subscription to an excellent on-line resource, The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism, which has eliminated the necessity of purchasing a fourth print text. Students will be expected to consult the Guide frequently as the semester unfolds. (If the link provided here bounces you to the UMS Mariner system, click here instead; if you're connecting from off campus, you'll be prompted for your last name and id number before gaining access to the Guide.)

Recommended Texts

• Lentricchia & McLaughlin | Critical Terms for Literary Study, 2nd Ed. | Chicago 1995 | ISBN 0226472035

It is assumed that students in this class have access to the most recent edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, edited by Joseph Gibaldi.

Required Reading — Click here for online syllabus

You can expect to read approximately one hundred pages per class meeting (and sometimes more). Much of this reading will be of an advanced nature, involving concepts and references unfamiliar to you: you will want to allow ample time for re-reading.

Assignments & Evaluation

• Short writing assignments: In-class reading checks, reading and class notes, text "mark ups," in-class presentations, and position papers (30%)
• Two formal papers (20% each)
• Cumulative final exam (20%)
• Attendance & participation (10%): Please note that attendance of this course is mandatory. If you miss more than two sessions (the equivalent of one week of class time) without a medical excuse, your semester grade may be lowered one full grade. Students missing more than five sessions may not pass the class.

As this is a writing-intensive course, written work may be revised and resubmitted.

Your informed participation is a key ingredient to the success of this class. Come to class with questions and comments at the ready.

Health-Related Contingency Plan

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an H1N1 swine flu outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to this syllabus that will supersede this version.

Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism—the presentation of someone else's writing and/or thinking as your own—will result in immediate failure of the class and notification of the appropriate University authorities. Other forms of academic dishonesty are, likewise, not tolerated.

Disability Notice

If you wish to request an accommodation for a disability, please speak with me or with Ann Smith, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (Onward Building, 1-2319) as early as possible in the semester.

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