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Topics in Literary Theory

Objectives

This curricular unit has a monographic nature, reflecting the teacher's ongoing research. Topics in literary theory will be discussed in reference to a selection of texts that fall within this research, with the following learning objectives:
(1) To familiarize students with fundamental questions and concepts in literary theory, building upon textual analysis and interpretative problems raised by works of literature, criticism, and philosophy.
(2) To develop the student's analytical skills and to incentivize their theorizing on literary texts;
(3) To ensure that such theorization is grounded by the text and that it is congruent from a philosophical and literaryhistorical perspective;
(4) To ensure that the acquired skills and knowledge translate into clear, coherent, rigorous and relevant writing.

General characterization

Code

722091106

Credits

10.0

Responsible teacher

Humberto Carlos Catita Palma Brito

Hours

Weekly - 3

Total - 280

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

  • ADORNO, T. Prismas: crítica cultural e sociedade. Trad. A. Wernet e J.M. Brito de Almeida. São Paulo: Editora Ática, 1998.
  • BENJAMIN, W., Ensaios sobre Literatura. Trad. J. Barrento. Lisboa: Assírio & Alvim, 2016.
  • BLANCHOT, M., O espaço literário. Trad. A. Cabral, Rio de Janeiro: Editora Rocco, 1987.
  • ___, La part du feu. Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 1949, 1984.
  • ___, O Livro Por Vir. Trad. R. Louro, Lisboa, Relógio D'Água, 2020
  • CORNGOLD, S., Franz Kafka. The Necessity of Form. Ithaca e Londres: Cornell University Press, 1988.
  • DELEUZE, G. e GUATTARI, F. Para uma literatura menor. Trad. R. Godinho. Lisboa: Assírio & Alvim, 2003.
  • GADAMER, H. G., Hegel's Dialectic. Trad. P. C. Smith, New Haven e Londres: Yale University Press, 1976.
  • KAFKA, F., A Metamorfose. Trad. Isabel Castro Silva. Lisboa: Relógio D'Água, 2005.
  • ___, Diários, Trad. I. Castro Silva. Lisboa: Relógio D'Água, 2014.
  • PIPPIN, R., Hegel on Self-Consciousness. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011.

Teaching method

This course will take place in the usual terms of a seminar. The expository component will be followed by a debate in which all students must participate. The expository component aims to provide the framework for the interpretive, historical-literary, philosophical and conceptual issues raised by Kafka's text, while drawing an argument concerning such issues. The debate, serving, whenever useful, as a recap and as an occasion for clarifications, will also be of help to the task of summarizing conclusions, but above all as a starting point for a theorizing effort and for its constant questioning.

Evaluation method

Continuous Assessment - Written in-class examination (50%), Final essay(50%)

Subject matter

Drawing from The Metamorphosis,and other writings by and about Kafka,and from essays on Phenomenology of Spirit(ch IV),this seminar describes and equates certain concepts of 'self','writing','interpretation',and 'recognition'.
Session 1:
Teaching and assessment methods.Brief introduction.
Sessions 2-7:
Overview of the literature on Kafka and The Metamorphosis.
The name 'Gregor Samsa'.
The architecture in and of The Metamorphosis.
Intertextualities: Sacher-Masoch, Flaubert, Dostoievski.
The loss of language.
Gregor Samsa's metamorphosis as an allegory of writing.
The author: figurations and disfigurations.
Allegories of interpretation in The Metamorphosis.
Sessions 8-10:
The Phenomenology of Spirit (IV).The intersubjective constitution of the self. Self-awareness;desire;recognition.
Capitalism,alienation and the figure of Gregor Samsa.(Hegel,Pippin,Gadamer,Adorno)
Sessions 10-14:
Renouncing and denying recognition.Gregor's demise. Grete's metamorphosis.
Modernity, writing, death. (Blanchot)

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: