TARGET AUDIENCE

Aspirants of competitive (English literature based) examinations such as UGC NET and SLET, UPSC and state PSC exams in India

Aspirants of various university and research entrance exams

Regular Bachelors and Masters students of English

Current and aspiring MPhil and PhD research scholars

Teachers of English literature across school, college and university levels 

MODULE DURATION

40-60 hours (self-paced and flexible learning options)

AIMS

This course attempts to

1. acquaint students with crucial literary theories and the history of literary criticism, right from the ancient West and East to the latest post-colonial and post-modern approaches. 

2. provide a comprehensive introduction to the practical skills required for literary analysis and criticism in English literature.

SALIENT FEATURESLEARNING OUTCOMES

The students should be able to

1. Differentiate between and explain the various theories, theoreticians and schools of literary criticism of both East and West.

2. Understand the crucial role of the reader in literary criticism and the simultaneous growth of literature and literary criticism.

3. Apply the various literary theories in order to analyze and re-interpret works of literature in the contemporary context.

MODULE I

INTRODUCTION

Nature and Function of Literary Theory and Criticism – Types of Literary Criticism – Essential Critical and Literary Terms – Phases of Literary Criticism.

MODULE II

GREEK, RENAISSANCE AND NEO-CLASSICAL LITERARY THEORY/CRITICISM:

1. Plato and Poetry – Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy in ‘Poetics’ – Longinus’ views in ‘On the Sublime’

2. Philip Sidney’s views in ‘An Apology for Poetry’

3. Dryden’s views on Drama and Dramatic Poetry – Samuel Johnson’s views on poetry and his views in ‘Preface to Shakespeare’

MODULE III

ROMANTIC AND VICTORIAN LITERARY THEORY/CRITICISM:

1. Coleridge’s Fancy and Imagination, Theory of Poetry, Willing Suspension of Disbelief (from ‘Biographia Literaria’ Chapter XIII and XIV) – Wordsworth’s Theory of Poetry, Poetic Diction, Functions of Poet and Poetic Criticism (from ‘Preface’ to the ‘Lyrical Ballads’) – Shelley’s views in ‘The Defence of Poetry’

2. Matthew Arnold’s views on Poetry and Criticism – Walter Pater: Aestheticism and views in ‘On Style’.

MODULE IV

CONTEMPORARY LITERARY THEORY/CRITICISM:

1. T.S. Eliot: Objective Correlative, Dissociation of Sensibility, Unification of Sensibility, Classicism, ‘Tradition and Individual Talent’.

2. New Criticism: Origins, Basic Principles, Chicago Critics

3. I.A. Richards: Textual and Psychological Approach

4. Contributions of F.R. Leavis and Cleanth Brooks to Literary Criticism

5. Marxist  Criticism

6. Psychoanalytic Criticism

7. Myth Criticism

8. Structuralism

9. Deconstruction

10. Reader-Response Criticism

11. Feminist Literary Criticism

12. New Historicism

13. Cultural Criticism

14. Postcolonial Theory and Subaltern Studies

15. Queer Theory

16. Postmodernism

17. Ecocriticism

MODULE V

INDIAN AESTHETICS:

1. Theory of Rasa – Theory of Dhwani – Theory of Vakrokti

2. Contributions of:

Bharatha – Dandin – Bhamaha – Anandavardhana – Abhinavagupta – Rajasekhara –   Kuntaka – Mahimabhatta – Kshemendra.

MODULE VI

LITERARY ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM - PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

1. Fundamental Principles of Literary Analysis and Criticism

2. Major Tools for Literary Analysis and Criticism

3. Analysing Various Genres of Literature using

4. Writing Skills: Analytical and Critical Writing, Reflective Writing, Commentary Writing