Literary CRiticism

UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA
FACULTAD DE LETRAS
ESCUELA DE LENGUAS MODERNAS
RECINTO DE GOLFITO
BACHILLERATO EN INGLÉS
Course Syllabus
I. Description
Literary Criticism is a required course for fourth-year English students. This course is
designed to introduce students to basic critical approaches to literature and their
applications while fomenting understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of literature.
II. Objectives
General Objectives
A. Have a clear, basic understanding of the role of literary criticism and theory
on literary studies, including mythic, feminist, cultural studies/new historicism,
and reader-response approaches to literature
B. Be able to apply the above approaches to literary texts
C. Foment analytical ability and skills
Specific Objectives
A. Define and characterize each of the critical approaches studied
B. Understand and employ specific concepts from each approach in the analysis
and interpretation of given literary works
C. Develop ability to support ideas from both primary and secondary sources
D. Differentiate and employ a variety of perspectives in analyzing a given
literary work.
E. Recognize and employ explicit vocabulary associated with each given
approach
F. Explain and defend personal insights and positions clearly and effectively in
standard English, both oral and written
Course: Literary Criticism Requisite: LM1471, LM1472
Sigla: LM-1486 Co-requisites: None
Credits: 3 Cycle: II-2018
Course investment hours:
Class Work: 4
Out-of-Class Work: 5
Professor: Lic. Jorge Vargas Loria
jorgevargai@hotmail.com
Class Schedule: Fridays from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Room: 4624GD
Office hours:
Tuesdays : 1:00pm-5:00pm / 6:00pm-
7:30pm
Fridays: 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm
Virtual Modality: 25%

FACULTAD DE LETRAS
RECINTO DE GOLFITO
III. Contents
1. Introduction (Functions of literary criticism and traditional approaches)
2. Formalistic Approaches
3. Mythic Approaches
4. Feminist Approaches
5. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism
6. New Historicism
7. Cultural Studies
8. Reader Response Approaches
IV. Methodology
Class time will generally be employed in the discussion and analysis of given literary works
previously assigned as homework. The professor will review, clarify, and supplement
introductory material as needed and guide the students in the application of the given
approaches. Student preparation out of class and participation in the class are fundamental
for successful completion of the course. Participation includes both informal presentations
and discussions whether individual or in groups, and formal oral and written presentations.
Mediacion Virtual will be used as a complement of the course.
V. Evaluation
 Midterm Exams (2 of 20% each one): Students will take two midterm exams in which
their theoretical knowledge, management of the texts, and their linguistic proficiency
will be evaluated.
 Quizzes (2 of 7,5% each): Students will take two quizzes during the course in which
their theoretical knowledge, management of the texts, and their linguistic proficiency
will be evaluated.
 Annotated Outline of the critical Paper (1 of 5%): Upload the annotated outline for
the critical paper. For this assignment, please upload your document as a .pdf file.
You will follow the format given by the professor on Mediacion Virtual. After a
week or two the submission, the professor will give students useful feedback for the
essay. (see rubric)
 Oral presentation (10%): In pairs, students will introduce and explain their analysis
of a given literary text using a particular critical approach. The minimum time is one
hour and a half.(see rubric)
 Class work (10%): This corresponds to all activities carried out in class, some of
which will be dependent upon previously assigned homework.
Midterm Exams (2 of 20% each one) 40%
Annotated outline of the critical paper (1) 5%
Critical Paper (1) 20%
Quizzes (2 of 7,5% each one) 15%
Classwork (1) 10%
Oral presentation (1) 10%

FACULTAD DE LETRAS
RECINTO DE GOLFITO
 Critical paper (20%): Once in the semester, each student will write a 5-to-8-pages
essay in which he or she will apply a specific critical approach studied in class to the
analysis of a text of his/her choice. The format to be employed is that which is
established by the MLA, and the final product must be submitted via Mediación
Virtual. If you do not accomplish the minimum length, the paper will not be
evaluated (see rubric)
VI. Bibliography
Barry, P. (1995). Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural
Theory.New York: Manchester UP.
Bressler, C. (2003). Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. 3rd. ed.
Upper Saddle River. NJ:Prentice Hall.
Gibaldi, J. (2003) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6° ed. New York:
MLA.
Green, K & LeBihan, J. (1996) Critical Theory & Practice: A Coursebook. New
York: Routledge.
Guerin, W. et al. (2005). A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. 5° ed.
New York: Oxford UP.
Meyers, Kari & Pacheco,G. (2003). The Perceptive Process: An Introductory Guide to
Literary Criticism. San José: Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica.
Meyers, Kari & Pacheco,G. (2017). A Concise Compendium of Contemporary Critical
Terms. Editorial UCR.
Selden, R. (1989). Practicing Theory and Reading Literature. 3° ed. Lexington. UP of
Kentucky.

FACULTAD DE LETRAS
RECINTO DE GOLFITO
VII. Chronogram
WEEK DATE TOPICS AND TEXTS EVALUATION
1 Aug. 17th
Introduction to the course
Literary Criticism
2 Aug. 24th Traditional Approaches: The Happy Prince by Oscar
Wilde/ Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell
3 Aug. 31st Formalistic Approaches: Everyday Use by Alice Walker
/ Anabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe/ To His Coy Mistress
4 Sept. 7th Mythic Approaches: The Little Red Riding Hood by
the Grimm Brothers/ Goldilocks and the Three Bears/
Uvieta by Carmen Lyra
5 Sep. 14th Mythic Approaches MOVIE ANALYSIS Oral presentation (1st
pair)(steve-Eduardo)
6 Sep. 21st Feminist Approaches: Marriage is a Private Affair by
Chinua Achebe/ Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe
QUIZ #1 (Traditional-
Formalistic-Mythic)
7 Sep. 28th Feminist Approaches: The Chrysanthemums by
Steinbeck/ The Lady in the Looking Glass
8 Oct. 5th Masculinities: IRON JOHN, Dinosaur Midterm Exam 1
(Traditional-Formalistic-
Mythic-Feminist)
9 Oct. 12th Structuralism: Story of an hour by Kate Chopin Oral presentation (2nd
pair)(Jordy-Jeyco)
10 Oct. 19th Post-structuralism: Deconstruction: Thank You, Ma’am
by Langston Hughes /The Parable of the wedding
banquet. /The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F.
Scott Fitzgerald
11 Oct. 26th / MOVIE ANALYSIS
Introduction to Cultural Studies
HAND IN ANNOTATED
OUTLINE
12 Nov 2nd Cultural Studies: New Historicism: Santa Clo comes to
La Cuchilla by Abelardo Díaz Alfaro/ Three Hundred
Pesos by Manuela Williams Crosno
QUIZ#2 (structuralism-
poststructuralism-cultural-
studies(new historicism))
13 Nov 9th Cultural studies: Latina writers: Pretty Women have
Curves by Josefina Lopez
14 Nov.
16th
Reader’s Response: The Nightingale and the Rose by
Oscar Wilde / The Luncheon by Jeffry Archer
Oral presentation (3rd
pair)(Dayana-Jehovana)
15 Nov. 23rd Reader’s Response: A Good Man is Hard to Find/Barn
Burning by William Faulkner
16 Nov. 30th
MOVIE ANALYSIS HAND IN CRITICAL PAPER
17 Dec. 7th Midterm Exam 2
( Masculinities-structuralism-
poststructuralism-cultural-
studies-New Historicism,
Latina writers-reader’s
Response)
18 Dec. 14th Re-test

FACULTAD DE LETRAS
RECINTO DE GOLFITO
VIII. Additional Notes
1- The paper has to be handed in ONLY during the date and time proposed by the
professor. Papers failing to follow MLA standards thoroughly will be graded with a
ZERO.
2- This course may involve a 25% of virtual activities, at the professor’s discretion.
When working online, make sure to comply with the regulations, standards and
requirements of the University of Costa Rica for your participation.
3- Cellphones and other electronic devices are totally forbidden during class time unless
the professor indicates .
4- The professor does not have the obligation to send material.

IX. Rubrics
ORAL PRESENTATION (10% / 20pts.)
LITERARY CRITICISM (LM-1486)
Prof. Lic Jorge Vargas Loria
II-2018
Student’s name:
Pts. obtained: Grade: % obtained:
Unacceptabl
e
Minima
l
Averag
e
Above average Outstanding
CONTENT
1 - 2 - 3 4 - 5 - 6 7 - 8 - 9 10 - 11 12
Argumentations and
ideas are almost never
coherent and sound.
Inconsequential use of
theory and the primary
text. No use of
support from
secondary sources.
Argumentations and
ideas are seldom
coherent and sound.
Somewhat irrelevant use
of theory and the
primary text. Little or
no use of support
from secondary
sources.
Argumentations and
ideas are sometimes
coherent and sound.
Somewhat relevant use
of theory and the
primary text. Some
significant use of
support from
secondary sources.
Argumentations and
ideas are often coherent
and sound. Important
use of theory and
support from both
primary and secondary
sources.
Argumentations and
ideas are always
coherent and sound.
Adequate and
significant use of
theory and support
from both
primary and
secondary sources.
USE
OF
LANGUAGE
1 - 2 - 3 4 - 5 - 6 7 8 - 9 10
Almost no accuracy in
pronunciation and
intonation.
Unsatisfactory
observance of
morphological and
syntactical rules.
Inadequate diction
register and lexical
specificity.
Low degree of accuracy
in pronunciation and
intonation. Minimal
observance of
morphological and
syntactical rules.
Deficient
diction register and
lexical specificity.
Some degree of
accuracy in
pronunciation and
intonation. Regular
observance of
morphological and
syntactical rules.
Progressing diction
specificity.
High degree of accuracy
in pronunciation and
intonation. Satisfactory
observance of
morphological and
syntactical rules.
Proficient
diction register and
lexical specificity.
Superior accuracy
in pronunciation
and intonation.
Maximum
observance of
morphological and
syntactical rules.
Exemplary diction
specificity.
AUDIOVISUAL
S
1 - 2 3 - 4 5 6 - 7 8
No actual carefulness or
imaginativeness in the
crafting and/or
employment of
audiovisual aids.
Little carefulness or
crafting and/or
employment of
audiovisual aids.
Enough carefulness and
crafting and/or
employment of
audiovisual aids.
More than enough
carefulness and
crafting and/or
employment of
audiovisual aids.
Maximum carefulness
and imaginativeness in
the crafting and/or
employment of
audiovisual aids.

CRITICAL PAPER (20% / 40pts.)
LITERARY CRITICISM (LM-1486)
Prof. Lic. Jorge Vargas Loria
II-2018
Student’s name:
Pts. obtained: Grade: % obtained:
Unacceptable Minimal Average Above average Outstanding
CONTENT
1 - 2 - 3 4 - 5 - 6 7 - 8 - 9 10 - 11 12
Argumentations and ideas are
almost never coherent and
sound. Inconsequential use of
theory and the primary text.
No use of support from
secondary sources.
seldom coherent and sound.
Somewhat irrelevant use of
theory and the primary text.
Little or no use of support
from secondary sources.
sometimes coherent and
sound. Somewhat relevant
use of theory and the primary
text. Some significant use of
support from secondary
sources.
often coherent and sound.
Important use of theory and
support from both primary
and secondary sources.
always coherent and sound.
Adequate and significant use
of theory and support from
both primary and secondary
sources.
USE
OF
LANGAGE
1 - 2 - 3 4 - 5 - 6 7 8 - 9 10
Almost no morphological or
syntactical accuracy.
Unsatisfactory observance of
punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization rules.
Inadequate diction register
and lexical specificity.
Low degree of morphological
and/or syntactical accuracy.
Minimal observance of
punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization rules. Deficient
diction register and lexical
specificity.
Some degree of
morphological and syntactical
accuracy. Regular observance
of punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization rules.
Progressing diction register
and lexical specificity.
High degree of morphological
and syntactical accuracy and
appropriateness. Satisfactory
observance of punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization
rules rules. Proficient diction
specificity.
Superior morphological and
syntactical accuracy and
appropriateness. Maximum
observance of punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization
rules rules. Exemplary diction
specificity.
ORGANIZATION
1 - 2 - 3 4 - 5 - 6 7 8 - 9 10
Illogical and/or ineffective
thesis statement, topic and
concluding sentences,
supporting ideas, and/or
transitions. Inappropriate or
inefficient introduction and
conclusion.
Somewhat unreasonable or
uneffective thesis statement,
topic and concluding
sentences, supporting ideas,
and/or transitions. Mostly
inefficient introduction and/or
conclusion.
Reasonable and somewhat
effective thesis statement,
topic and concluding
sentences, supporting ideas,
and transitions. Somewhat
efficient introduction and
conclusion.
Mostly logical and effective
thesis statement, topic and
supporting ideas, and
transitions. Efficient
introduction and conclusion.
Logical and effective thesis
statement, topic and
supporting ideas, and
transitions. Highly efficient
introduction and conclusion.
FORMAT
1 - 2 3 - 4 5 6 - 7 8
Almost never observes MLA
formating, quoting and
referencing conventions.
Almost no other formal
requirements are met.
Seldom observes MLA
Other formal requirements
are rarely met.
Sometimes observes MLA
Some other formal
requirements are also met.
Often observes MLA
Most other formal
requirements are also met.
Always observes MLA
formating, quoting, and
referencing conventions. All
other formal requirements are
also met.

ANNOTATED OUTLINE (5%)15 pts
LITERARY CRITISM (LM-1486)
Prof. Lic. Jorge Vargas Loria
II-2018
Student’s name: GRADE:
Percentage obtained:
Aspects Minimal 1 pts Average 3 pts Outstanding 5 pts
Content
Organization
Format

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