1. Literary Theory and Criticism
Courses in this area stress questions on the nature of language and literature, problems in literary interpretation, the relations between readers and literary works, the history of criticism, and the various schools and theoretical approaches in literary analysis.
2. Genre
Students concentrating on genre should choose four courses dealing with one of following genres:2a- poetry, 2b-drama, and 2c- narrative. Students wishing to deal with other genres or modes such as tragedy or pastoral or autobiography should formulate an independent proposal under Concentration Area 10.
3. Literary History
Students concentrating on literary history must select four additional courses from Course Groups I, II, and II in the following manner: two courses from Course Group I and one each from Course Groups II and III. A course not included in Course Groups I, II, and III may be included if it is posted under Literary History in the list of courses by concentration area.
4. Period Study
Students pursuing period study should select four courses from any one of the historical course groups (Course Groups I, II and III). Students may choose to have these four courses form a more precise focus such as medieval literature or Victorian studies.
5. National Traditions and Counter-Traditions
Courses in this area address literary works and critical methods that invoke or question national identity and its dominant narratives. Courses may also examine the ways in which nations are defined and national practices and consciousnesses are constructed or challenged.
6. Multicultural and Colonial / Postcolonial Studies
Courses in this area focus on literature in English other than British or American and on British or American literature that addresses colonial/post-colonial experience. The concentration involves attention to critical perspectives and theories on race, ethnicity, migration, colonialism, transnationalism, and globalization.
7. Genders and Sexualities
Literary works and critical approaches that address, represent, or critique ideas of gender and sexual identity. This area includes courses on sexuality, feminism, gay and lesbian studies, masculinity, and queer theory.
8. Cultural Studies and Popular Culture
Literary works, critical approaches and theories that draw together social, literary, and cultural discourses or challenge distinctions such as those between high and low culture, canonical and non-canonical literature, or the disciplines themselves. Courses in this area focus on issues such as class, the production of cultural value, the materiality of texts, and the social practices of reading, writing, and representation.
9. Creative Writing
Courses in this area build on English 80, the introductory workshop in fiction and poetry, and culminate with a seminar in which students work on a manuscript in their chosen genre. Other creative writing courses focus on poetry, fiction or literary non-fiction. Students may also take writing courses offered in other departments. Admission to English department creative writing courses requires the submission of a writing sample and permission of the instructor. For more information see Creative Writing.
10. Independent Proposal
Students may propose, by petition to the Committee on the Departmental Curriculum, a Concentration Area different from those listed above. Such proposals, together with a written rationale, must be submitted before the end of the junior year.
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