Literary Theory
1. 履修条件・注意事項 = Requirements for registration
Good English and an interest in discussion.
2. 授業の目的 = Course purpose
This course provides an overview of literary theory from the early 20th Century to presentday. It explores various theoretical approaches to reading texts. For students new to literary
theory, this course can serve as an introduction. For students already familiar with theoretical
approaches to literature, it can also extend the knowledge and understanding of suchapproaches. All reading and discussion will be conducted in English. English-languagetranslations of reading will be distributed when necessary. Students are welcome to consult
translated texts in their original language, but the version used for class discussion will be inEnglish. In addition, over the course of the semester, students will undertake a close readingof Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (2019). At the end of this course, students will
have a thorough understanding of multiple approaches to literature, and experience of close
reading of a multitude of texts.
3. 授業の内容・方法 = Content
1. Introduction
2. William Empson, Seven Types of Ambiguity (1930) (extracts).
3. Mikhail Bakhtin, Problems of Dostoevsky’s Poetics (1984) (extracts).
4. Walter Benjamin, “The Task of the Translator” (1921).
5. Northrop Frye, Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays (1957) (extracts) and Harold Bloom,Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry (1973) (extracts).
6. Roland Barthes, S/Z (1970) (extracts).
7. Jacques Derrida, Glas (1974) (extracts).
8. Hélène Cixous, “The Laugh of the Medusa” (1976).
9. Stephen Greenblatt, Culture and New Historicism (2005) (extracts).
10. Edward Said, Beginnings: Intention and Method (1975) (extracts).
11. Italo Calvino, Six Memos for the Next Millennium (1988) (extracts).
12. Milan Kundera, Testaments Betrayed: An Essay in Nine Parts (1993) (extracts).
13. James Wood, “Hysterical Realism” (2000).
14. George Landow, Hypertext 3.0 (2006) (extracts)
15. John Cayley, “The Code is not the Text (unless it is the Text)” (2002) and Conclusion.
4. 教科書・テキスト = Textbooks
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. PENGUIN. ISBN-10 : 0241984998, ISBN-13 :978-0241364901. JPY 1,715
All other readings will be provided. All reading will be in English. In cases in which texts
were originally written in different languages, we will be reading English translations.
However, students are welcome to read these texts in their original language if they wish.
5. 参考書 = References

For further reading and overview, students would be advised to consult (note: this is notcompulsory reading):
Peter Barry, Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, Third
edition (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2009).
6. 受講生の自宅学習 = Preparation and Review
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the set texts.
7. 成績評価の方法と基準 = Evaluation
Assessment will be via two presentations (2 x 10%) and two essays written in English (20%and 40% respectively). An additional 20% is awarded for participation in class discussion.
Students are expected to write using correct English, and display a deep knowledge of andability to apply the literary theory covered in class.
8. 連絡方法 = Contact information
If you have any questions please email Dr. David Thomas Henry Wright (AssociateProfessor, Graduate School of Humanities, Nagoya University) at davidthwright@gmail.com.
This outline may be subject to change.