Theory of Literature
Objectives
(1) To familiarize the students with texts, questions and fundamental concepts in Literary Theory;
(2) to broaden and sophisticate their critical and philosophical vocabulary, as well as their critical skills;
(3) to ensure that they understand not only the conceptual issues at stake at each point in the discussion, but also the conceptual and historical affinities between different topics;
(4) to ensure that they can translate what they have learned into clear, coherent, thorough and relevant writing.
General characterization
Code
711091120
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Tatiana Salem Levy
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
AAVV. Linguística e Literatura, Lisboa, Edições 70, 1968
Austin, JL. Quando dizer é fazer, Porto Alegre, Artes Médicas, 1990
Baudelaire, C. O Pintor da Vida Moderna, Lisboa: Nova Vega, 2015
Bourbon, B. Finding a Replacement for the Soul, Cambridge, Harvard UP, 2004
Chomsky, N. The Minimalist Program, Cambridge, The MIT Press. 1995
Davidson, D. The Essential Davidson, Oxford, Oxford UP, 2006
de Man, P. O Ponto de Vista da Cegueira, Braga, Coimbra e Lisboa: Cotovia & Angelus Novus, 1999
Eagleton, T. Literary Theory, An Introduction, Minneapolis, U of Minnesota Press, 2008
Lévi-Strauss, C, Mito e Significado, Lisboa, Edições 70, 1987
Pippin, R. Modernism as a Philosophical Problem, Wiley-Blackwell, 1999
Rorty, R. Contingência, Ironia e Solidariedade, Lisboa: Editorial Presença, 1994
Saussure, F. Curso de linguística geral, Rio de Janeiro, Cultrix, 2008
Todorov, T. Grammaire du Decameron, Haia, Mouton, 1969
Wittgenstein, L. Tratado Lógico-Filosófico. Investigações Filosóficas, Lisboa, FCG, 2002
Teaching method
As a survey course, emphasis will be placed on the expository component of each session, based on the reading and analysis of recommended texts, whenever possible in Portuguese translations. This expository segment aims to provide the framework of historical-literary, philosophical, conceptual and interpretive issues raised by the readings at hand, while drawing an argument about such issues. Typically, it will be followed by a debate, a brief recap, and further clarifications, with a view to forming and summarizing conclusions.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment - Final essay (50%), Written in-class examination (50%)
Subject matter
1. The concept of language
a) The idea of language according to linguists. The arbitrariness of the sign. Langue vs parole. The idea of an internal grammar. (Saussure, Chomsky.)
b) The concept of language games. Meaning and use. The idea of private languages. (Wittgenstein.)
c) "Speech acts". (Austin.)
d) The contingency of language. (Rorty.)
e) "There is no such thing as a language." (Davidson.)
2. Literary, literature as a privileged language
a) The influence of linguistics and social sciences on literary theory
b) Formalism, Literary and defamiliarization. The structural unit of the literary work. (Jakobson, Todorov.)
c) New criticism. Form and intentionality. (Wimsatt and Beardsley.)
d) Structuralism. (Lévi-Strauss.)
e) Critical perspectives. (Eagleton, Bourbon, de Man.)
3. Modernity
a) The painter of modern life. (Baudelaire.)
b) Modernity as a historical-literary concept vs modernity as an impulse towards the present. (de Man.)
c) Modernity as a philosophical problem. (Pippin.)