In this course the instructor will facilitate discussions among students on a vast field of critical theories ranging from new liberalism to material turn. Each student will be required to read some materials related to the topic and give some presentations on them.
This course aims to highlight the ways in which various critical theories have affected the people’s feelings and thoughts.
At the end of this course students will:
・ acquire the knowledge of various critical theories.
・ learn the skills of both distant reading and close reading.
・ be able to make sophisticated comments on not only artworks, but also socio-political issues.
Critical theories, cultural studies, literature
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In each session, the instructor will give lectures on historical background, and students will be requested to read texts related to the lectures. All participants will read them prior to the class, listen to a presentation by one of the students and have a further discussion either in Japanese or in English.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction: New Liberalism | Define new liberalism |
Class 2 | New historicism and cultural materialism | Learn how to use new historicism and cultural materialism |
Class 3 | Gender studies (Especially Mens and masculinities studies) | Learn how to use perspectives of gender studies |
Class 4 | Postcolonialism | Learn how to use postcolonialism |
Class 5 | Print Culture | Learn how to use the perspective of print culture |
Class 6 | Material Turn | Learn how to apply the material turn to your study |
Class 7 | Review and discussion. Submit your essay. | Discuss what the US print culture is all about |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Materials will be provided during class.
Related books and articles will be mentioned when necessary.
class participation: 50%, Final paper: 50%
Nothing required
ryamane17[at]gmail.com
N/A