This could be a dangerous course as we subject your cherished works of the western canon to an array of literary theories born throughout the 20th Century and stemming from the academic Humanities Departments' "beaker envy." We will seek to identify the contours of the river of theories from formalist, historicism, deconstructionism, to marxist, psychoanalytic, feminists, post-modernist, etc. How many systems of analysis can be applied usefully to any one work/writer?
Peter Barry’s Beginning Theory serves as an introductory text to literary theory, providing readers with an accessible guide to understanding various theoretical approaches in literary studies. Our challenge in this SDG is to determine the value and potential shortfall of approaching literature from a theoretical perspective.
Historical Context: Barry situates literary theory within its historical context, tracing the development of key movements like formalism, structuralism, poststructuralism, and deconstruction.
Theoretical Approaches: The book covers a wide range of literary theories, including New Criticism, Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, and queer theory, offering clear explanations of each approach’s key concepts and practices.
Critical Terms and Concepts: Barry introduces essential terms such as signifier/signified, ideology, subtext, intertextuality, and binary oppositions, helping readers grasp the foundational ideas of each school of thought.
Application to Texts: Barry emphasizes the practical application of theory to literary texts, showing how different theoretical lenses can provide diverse readings and interpretations of the same work.
Accessibility and Clarity: Written in clear, accessible language, the book is designed for beginners, using straightforward explanations and examples to illustrate complex ideas.
Importance of Theory: Barry argues that understanding literary theory is essential for deepening our understanding of literature, offering insights into how texts reflect, challenge, and shape cultural and societal values.
Engagement with Key Thinkers: The book includes discussions of major theorists like Roland Barthes, Jacques Derrida, Sigmund Freud, and Michel Foucault, helping readers connect theory with its intellectual origins.
Contemporary Relevance: Barry highlights the ongoing relevance of literary theory in contemporary literary criticism, urging readers to engage critically with texts and consider multiple interpretive frameworks.
Beginning Theory provides a foundational understanding of literary theory, making it an essential starting point for students and anyone interested in the field. [ChatGPT, 3-20-25]
We will read the core text in eight sessions. The Fall 2025 trimester schedule could look like this:
Core Text:
Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, Fourth Edition. Peter Barry. Manchester University Press, 2017. ISBN: 9781526121790. New: $16+; Used: $8+
Video:
Tristan and the Classics: An Introduction to Literary Theory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vh2miANqUA&t=2s [Sep ‘24; 18 min.]
Tristan and the Classics: When Literary Theory Goes Wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKMKqQZXh2c&t=3s [Oct ’24; 33 min.]
Yale Courses. Paul Fry. Introduction to Theory of Literature (ENGL 300) Playlist [26 lectures, ~50 min ea. 2009]
Optional Texts:
Terry Eagleton. Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press, 1983/2008. ISBN: 9780816654475
Vincent Leitch, et al. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, 3rd Ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2018. ISBN: 9780393602951