Course Description
It is necessary for the first-year graduate students (and perhaps advanced undergraduate students…) to get an overview of the many literary theories dominant in the academy today. However, a course too topical and current is quite risky and may end up providing future scholars with no solid foundation in criticism. At the same time, and overly historical review of literary theory (which in any case can be found in any of a number of anthologies and introductions) may deaden student enthusiasm rather than flaming it. For these reasons, I want to propose a course that balances traditional (including ancient: Plato, Aristotle, Horace, “Longinus”) theory and criticism with some of the most recent developments in critical discourse in the humanities (Ranciere, Agamben, Sloterdijk, Nancy, Zizek, etc.). Although comprehensiveness will not be possible, I think a range of topics can be substantially treated. However, to maximize depth, coherence, and material covered I think it best if the course be planned as a lecture rather than a seminar (as was the case with many 4000- [as opposed to 6000-] level graduate courses at Columbia University when I was an “advanced undergraduate” once upon a time).
Additionally, my sense is that certain thinkers and theories are better represented in the current department seminars than others. So for example our students are very likely to receive some exposure to the work of Lacan or that of Deleuze. Likewise, there have been courses lately aimed specifically at contemporary theoretical debates around, for example, the animal, or various topics in post-colonial theory. In the interests of thoroughness (not to mention a division of labor), I think it best to focus, therefore, on other writers and topics.