Fundamentals of the Analysis of Literary Texts

This course offers a broad introduction to literary studies. Our focus will be on basic concepts, terms and practices commonly encountered in literary studies as well as on representative literary works from different periods. Through the study of theoretical texts by R. Barthes, J. Culler, M. Bakhtin, J. Derrida, F. de Saussure and L. Vygotsky, students will develop a working vocabulary of literary terms and concepts. Students will learn what it means to produce a close reading, to research and develop a paper about a poem, a novel, and a play. Evaluation will be based on in-class participation, written assignments, and exams.