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Courses in Critical Theory (CRI)

Upper Division Courses

101. Introduction to Critical Theoretical Approaches to Literature and Culture (4)

Lecture/discussion—3 hours; term paper. Prerequisite: one upper division literature course or consent of instructor. Introduction to critical theory and its use for interpreting literary texts, film, and media forms in our present global culture. (Same course as Comparative Literature 141.) GE credit: ArtHum, Wrt.—III. (III.)

Graduate Courses

200A. Approaches to Critical Theory (4)

Seminar—3 hours; term paper. Prerequisite: graduate standing in a participating program. The problem of interpretation in 20th-century thought with a critical overview of various theoretical approaches (e.g., semiotics, hermeneutics, deconstruction, social and cultural critique, feminist theory, psychoanalysis).—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

200B. Problems in Critical Theory (4)

Seminar—3 hours; term paper. Focused study of a particular critical theoretical approach, school or perspective. Topics may include but are not limited to: critical approaches to the study of culture, film, historiography, visual culture, the body, and aesthetics. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor if topic differs.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

200C. History of Critical Theory (4)

Seminar—3 hours; term paper. Critical analysis and discussion of pre-twentieth century theories of literary and cultural criticism. Topics may include but are not limited to: ancient and early modern philosophy; nature and culture in the Renaissance; theories of Mimesis from antiquity to the Renaissance. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor if topic differs.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

201. Critical Theory Special Topics (4)

Seminar—3 hours; term paper. Prerequisite: course 200A. Application of theoretical principles to one specific research topic. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor when topic differs.—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)

202. Visual Culture (4)

Lecture/discussion—4 hours. Prerequisite: course 200A strongly recommended. Analysis of image production in the contemporary world (photography, film, television, advertising, etc.) and their effects on individual subjectivities and collective social identities.—II. (II.)

298. Directed Group Study (1-5)

299. Individual Study (1-12)

(S/U grading only.)