Guerin, W. A Handbook to Critical Approaches to Literature. (4^th ed.)

Bibliography hand-outs, provided by instructor

Course Description: Problems and Methods in Research, Documentation, and Literary Theory.

Course Content: Introduction to graduate level research methods, MLA documentation style and literary theory.

Prerequisite: Admission to graduate status in literary studies or consent of instructor.

Objective: The intent of this course is to train students in the most current research methodology, including the use of electronic databases and appropriate search engines, refine their knowledge of the MLA format and documentation styles, and provide a brief overview of major theoretical approaches in literary criticism. Students will be encouraged to learn and utilize electronic slide software (Power Point) for their oral presentations.

Methods: The course methodology will consist of lectures, class discussion, library and computer lab workshops, on-line and library research exercises, individual consultations with the instructor and oral presentations.

Student Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course students should be competent in research methodology and in the use of MLA documentation style. They should also have an overview of current literary theory and be able to identify the prevalent critical approaches and apply some of these approaches in their own literary analysis.

Resources: Students will be given a workshop on Internet research, and provided with appropriate web site addresses (URLS).The instructor will also provide an extensive bibliography on literary theory and criticism and an anthology of critical approaches illustrating the application of some of the current theories to a literary text. In addition, each national grouping will be provided with a list of reference works, journals, critical and theoretical approaches relevant to their ethnic/national literature.

Assessment: Students will be evaluated and graded on class participation, completion of assignments and oral presentations.