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ALI 201 Modern Theories of Lit

This course introduces students to modern literary theories and their application to literary texts. Over the course of the semester, students will learn to identify major modern theories, discuss their basic tenets, and apply these theories in analyzing literature. Theories covered include formalism, reader-response theory, structuralism, deconstruction, psychoanalysis, Marxism, and feminism. Lectures, discussions, assignments and exams will help students achieve the learning outcomes of understanding and applying modern literary theories. Assessment consists of tests, assignments, presentations and an end of semester exam.

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Lukania Boaz
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172 views

ALI 201 Modern Theories of Lit

This course introduces students to modern literary theories and their application to literary texts. Over the course of the semester, students will learn to identify major modern theories, discuss their basic tenets, and apply these theories in analyzing literature. Theories covered include formalism, reader-response theory, structuralism, deconstruction, psychoanalysis, Marxism, and feminism. Lectures, discussions, assignments and exams will help students achieve the learning outcomes of understanding and applying modern literary theories. Assessment consists of tests, assignments, presentations and an end of semester exam.

Uploaded by

Lukania Boaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ALI 201: MODERN THEORIES OF LITERATURE

Purpose
The course introduces the student to the tenets of modern theories and their
significance to the study of Literature.

Expected Learning Outcomes


By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:
I.Identify the major modern theories of Literature
ii.Discuss the basic tenets of major modern theories of Literature
iii.Apply the modern theories of literature to literary texts
Course Content
Scope of ‘the modern’, modernism in relation to literature and writing, formalism; reader-
response theory; structuralism, semiology and semiotics; the functions of signs and
symbols at theoretical levels; deconstruction and post-structuralism; view points of
literary theorists including, Jacques Derrida, Paul de Mann, Michael Focault and Fish S,
semiology in the discourse of the human science; psychoanalysis and psychology as
seen by Peter Brooks, Jacques Lacan and Sigmund Freud; Marxism as a literary theory
relating to base and superstructure in creativity; feminism; gender and sex, theories of
orature, practical consideration of actual texts with regard to theory. Modern Theories
reflect Modern movement in the Arts- a broad based belief system tied to philosophical
and cultural reactions to convictions of Modernism.
Mode of Delivery
Lectures, handouts, class discussions, and presentations.
Instructional materials/ Equipment
Selected literary Texts, Whiteboard
Assessment

1
Continuous assessment tests, assignments and presentations totalling to 30% and End
of semester examination out of 70%

References

Ashcroft Bill, Griffiths Gareth & Tiffin Helen. The Empire Writes Back: Theory and
Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures.London: Routledge, 1989.
Castle, Gregory (2007). The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory. Malden: Blackwell
Publishing,.
Culler, Jonathan. (1997)Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Di Yanni, Robert. Fiction: An Introduction. Boston: Mc Graw-Hill, 2000.
Tejumola, Olaniyan & AtoQuayson (2007) (Eds.) African Literature: An Anthology of
Criticism and Theory. Malden: Blackwell Publishing.
Guerin, Wilfred, Labor, Earle, Morgan, Lee, Reesman, Jeanne, & Willingham, John.
(1992). A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford
University Press,
Hall, Donald. (2001). Literary and Cultural Theory: From Basic Principles to
Advanced Applications. NewYork: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.
Hawthorn, Jeremy(2001). Studying the Novel. 4th ed. London: Arnold,.
Irele, Abiola. (1990).The African Experience in Literature and Ideology. Blomington:
Indiana University Press,
Kennedy, X. J. & Gioia, Dana. Literature: Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and
Writing. (2007)5th compacted. New York: Longman,.
Ogunpitan, Steve (1999). A Comprehensive Grammar of Literary Studies. Lagos:
Arimes Int’l Nig. Ltd,.
Ojaide, Tanure.
Selden, Raman, Wddowson, Peter & Brooker, Peter.( 2005)A Reader’s Guide to
Contemporary Literary Theory.5th ed. London: Longman.
Wellek, Rene & Warren, Austin(1977). Theory of Literature. 3rd ed. New York:
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,

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