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ENGLI300-23B (HAM)
Theory Matters
15 Points
Staff
Convenor(s)
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Sarah Shieff
8425
I.3.27
sarah.shieff@waikato.ac.nz
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What this paper is about
In this paper we will add some important theoretical approaches to our toolkits for literary study using some classic works of Gothic fiction as our primary texts.
We will consider the following primary texts in relation to the following theoretical approaches and problems:
- Frankenstein: New Historicism and psychoanalytic approaches
- Dracula: cultural studies, gender studies and narrative theory
- Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: The Uncanny, and more on gender
- Edgar Allan Poe short stories: more on psychoanalytic approaches
- The Turn of the Screw: dealing with difficulty and ambiguity
How this paper will be taught
The paper has three timetabled hours per week. There are no separate tutorials.
- The Tuesday class will often serve as a 'lecture' introduction to a text and a related theory.
- The Thursday class is two hours long. It comprises a timetabled 'lecture' hour followed by a one-hour workshop. The session will run as a single two-hour forum, building on lectures and readings via class discussion.
Learning in this paper is cumulative. If you keep up with the reading, attend class regularly, and participate in discussion, you should find that your familiarly with the primary texts and various theoretical perspectives deepens in the course of the trimester. The assessment reflects that cumulative learning.
- An early short assignment is a close reading exercise. It asks you to think and write about a short focus passage from one of the 'theory' readings.
- A research essay, submitted in two assessed phases. The questions for the research essay are designed to test depth of knowledge.
- The research essay resubmission is designed to help you refine your thinking and writing in response to feedback.
- The final take-home test is designed to test the breadth of your knowledge.
- A mark for class participation assesses your knowledge of the primary and secondary readings as displayed in discussion, and incentivizes regular attendance.
Students are expected to read the week's primary and secondary readings before coming to class.
Required Readings
Required Readings
- Henry James, The Turn of the Screw (Oxford World’s Classics)
- Edgar Allan Poe, Selected Tales (Oxford World’s Classics)
- Mary Shelley, Frankenstein [1818 edition] (Oxford World’s Classics)
- Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Oxford World’s Classics)
- Bram Stoker, Dracula (Oxford World’s Classics)
- Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, any edition (Prentice Hall) Full text available through the University of Waikato Library online catalogue
- The course reader is available through Waikato Reading Lists. Print-on-demand hard copy available for purchase from Campus Copy.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:
Assessments
How you will be assessed
The written assessment for this paper has been designed to foster some core skills for literary study at upper undergraduate level:
- Reading carefully and evaluating thoughtfully
- Developing evidence-based opinions
- Locating, evaluating and citing relevant secondary sources
- Revising written work in response to feedback
The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam.