Literary form and interpretation
An introduction to methodology in the English Department
Life writing is difficult because we not only have to make sense of our experiences, but we also have to make our experiences make sense for others. This course will consider a number of different forms of life writing in order to gain insight into the methodology of literary scholarship. This will in part be focused on how writers this term deal with "things."
“Thing”. What is the thingness of things? Why and how do things matter to us? What is the use of things? Can we become things? How do things come to mean so much to us? How do things come to mean nothing to us? What are the things that matter within a story? Are things only objects, or can they be people? Can they be ideas? Can they be beliefs and desires? This introduction to the methodology of literary form and interpretation will focus on personal writing in a range of forms that deals with the implied author or narrator’s relationship to artifacts—things—in the world around them.
We will focus form and style, literary criticism, historical context, and theoretical interventions in order to better understand how interpreting place is central to both literature and life.
English 270 is the introduction to the English major, and as such, it is primarily a methods course—we will learn the basics of close reading, literary interpretation, and the process of developing our thoughts into literary analyses.
In addition to learning about these broader areas in literary and cultural studies, we will also develop our writing skills. For me, one of the most important aspects of writing is the “so what?” We’re all busy, we all have many things we want to read. Why am I reading this now? Why is your interpretation of this text useful now? Certainly, we read Shakespeare because he is an important writer, but why else?
As an introduction to the English major, I believe that it is my job to show you how interpretation—specifically, your interpretation—can matter today. Texts aren’t dead any more than history. History affects the present, and texts are a part of our cultural heritage that reshape the way with speak, act, and think. As a methods course, you will need to consider with each writing assignment the following.
“Thing”. What is the thingness of things? Why and how do things matter to us? What is the use of things? Can we become things? How do things come to mean so much to us? How do things come to mean nothing to us? What are the things that matter within a story? Are things only objects, or can they be people? Can they be ideas? Can they be beliefs and desires? This introduction to the methodology of literary form and interpretation will focus on personal writing in a range of forms that deals with the implied author or narrator’s relationship to artifacts—things—in the world around them.
We will focus form and style, literary criticism, historical context, and theoretical interventions in order to better understand how interpreting place is central to both literature and life.
English 270 is the introduction to the English major, and as such, it is primarily a methods course—we will learn the basics of close reading, literary interpretation, and the process of developing our thoughts into literary analyses.
- Literary terms, or the terminology used in the field for particular features of texts, theories, traditions, etc.,
- Historical context, or the prevailing political and cultural forces that existed in conversation with a literary work,
- Theoretical ideas, or the theoretical schools that provide various lenses that help us highlight particular aspects and ask a specific range of questions about a text, and
- Literary criticism, or the work of scholars on a text that illuminates aspects of that text, its production, and its reception.
In addition to learning about these broader areas in literary and cultural studies, we will also develop our writing skills. For me, one of the most important aspects of writing is the “so what?” We’re all busy, we all have many things we want to read. Why am I reading this now? Why is your interpretation of this text useful now? Certainly, we read Shakespeare because he is an important writer, but why else?
As an introduction to the English major, I believe that it is my job to show you how interpretation—specifically, your interpretation—can matter today. Texts aren’t dead any more than history. History affects the present, and texts are a part of our cultural heritage that reshape the way with speak, act, and think. As a methods course, you will need to consider with each writing assignment the following.
- Symbolism and themes, or how this text created a multifaceted view of a moment in time.
- History, or how this text responded and interpreted a historical moment.
- Theory, or how this text created a vision of the world that both exposed problems and suggested solutions.
- Your contribution, or what you are situated to say about a text—from your vantage point in terms of identity, history, and culture—that is new and useful.
