COML 3021 - Literary Theory on the Edge

(crosslisted) ENGL 3021, FREN 3921, PMA 3421
(LA-AS, ALC-AS)

Spring. 4 credits. Student option grading.

Designated theory course for Comparative Literature majors. Co-meets with COML 6159/ENGL 6021. No previous knowledge of theory required.

C. Caruth, P. Lorenz.

Without literary theory, there is no idea of literature, of criticism, of culture. While exciting theoretical paradigms emerged in the late 20th century, including structuralism and poststructuralism, this course extends theoretical inquiry into its most exciting current developments, including performance studies, media theory and cinema/media studies, the digital humanities, trauma theory, transgender studies, and studies of the Anthropocene. Taught by two Cornell professors active in the field, along with occasional invited guests, lectures and class discussions will provide students with a facility for close textual analysis, a knowledge of major currents of thought in the humanities, and an appreciation for the uniqueness and complexity of language and media. This course may involve presentation of performance art. Course open to all levels; no previous knowledge of literary or cultural theory required.