Theory of Literature

(SUBJECT CODE: thl)

Department: School of Language and Literary Studies
Tel: (012) 429-6308

Introduction

The modules in Theory of Literature have been designed to provide an overview of current issues and debates in literary studies and to develop the critical skills for students to engage in literary theoretical study and communication. The modules represent a detailed study of each of the three literary genres, and include a demonstration and the application of reading strategies appropriate to poetic, dramatic and narrative texts.

General Information

The modules offered in Theory of Literature may be taken either by students intending to major in Theory of Literature, or any one or more modules may also be taken by students majoring in any of the literature study units offered in the School of Languages and Literature, or related disciplines such as Communication, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy and Logic or Religious Studies etc, in the College of Human Sciences.
BA students who select Theory of Literature as a major subject are advised to take at least one or more of the following before or together with Course III: a language, Biblical Studies, Classical Culture, Communication Science, Linguistics, Modern Romance Literatures in English, Philosophy and Logic, Psychology, Sociology.
In Theory of Literature examples will be selected from written and oral texts from Africa, England, Europe and North America, as well as from the visual and performance arts.
Credit for a degree is granted of either THL801 and 802 or ALI100 (or ALW100).

Transitional Arrangements

Students who passed only ONE or TWO of the three papers of ALW300 prior to 1998 retain credit for the paper(s) concerned and can complete the course by registering for and passing TWO or ONE of the five papers listed below. See the Transitional Arrangements below. Such registration will be for non-degree purposes (NDP) only but, on passing the paper(s) concerned the student will be credited with a pass in the full course ALW300.

Study unit passed	Modules/papers which may not be taken	Outstanding modules
ALI101	THL801	THL802
ALI102	THL802	THL801
ALW201	THL201
ALW202	THL202
ALW301	ALW311
ALW302	ALW312/313
ALW303	ALW314
ALW311	THL301
ALW312	THL821
ALW313	THL822
ALW314	THL823
ALW315	THL302

Major Subjects

Compulsory modules for a major subject combination:

First level:	THL801, 802
Second level:	THL201, 202 and ONE of THL821, 822, 823, 824
Third level:	THL301, 302 and THREE of THL821, 822, 823, 824

Syllabus

floating Level

NB These floating modules may be taken on first, second or third level.
THL801U	Introduction to theory of literature	(S1,S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the theoretical approach and to show how it differs from other approaches in literature; to familiarise students with definitions of literature and other aesthetic objects; to acquire the ability to understand or interpret literature, and to appreciate or evaluate literature and other cultural and aesthetic objects.
THL802V	Introduction to literary genres	(S1,S2)
Purpose: to provide an introduction to literary genres; to introduce students to the main types and characteristic features of oral and written literature, and to familiarise students with the analysis and interpretation of poetic, narrative and dramatic texts.
THL821Y	Theory of narrative	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to two main components: advanced structuralist theory and strategies for reading contemporary and/or postmodernist narrative texts. The module has two parts: the first is a critical analysis of complementary theories on the complexities of narrative structure, and the second entails an in-depth study of a contemporary narrative text aimed at developing greater understanding of narrative texts. Pre-requisites: THL802
THL8223	Theory of drama	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to the semiotics of drama and theatre and the social dimension of drama and theatre; to familiarise them with a critical introduction to contemporary theories on drama, theatre and performance, to make them aware of the social dimension of drama and theatre by analysing recent productions. Pre-requisites: THL802
THL8234	Theory of poetry	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to a detailed exposition of aspects of poetic structure, for example metaphorical constructions, syntactic-typographic organisation, sound exploitation, rhythm and metre, and to the intertextual and extratextual relationships in poetic texts; to provide a critical introduction to intratextual, intertextual and extratextual relationships in poetry, and to develop the necessary analytical skills to arrive at a profound understanding of poetic communication. Pre-requisites: THL802
THL8245	Theory and practice of South African literary studies	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to the theories, methods and practical skills for comparative and interdisciplinary learning in South African Literary Studies. Advice: Knowledge of a South African language and literature and a basic knowledge of literary theory is assumed. Pre-requisites: THL802

first Level

THL1016

Introduction to creative writing: a practical course

(S1,S2)

Purpose: to introduce students to the aesthetics and practice of creative writing in the various literary genres.

Advice: Basic language skills in the language in which students are going to take this module is assumed.

Pre-requisites: THL801, 802

Notes: Final assessment in this module will be based on creative work which the student must hand in.

second Level

THL201A	Theory of the sign in literature and culture	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to the theories on structuralism and semiotics, those beyond semiotics and those on reading and interpretation. Pre-requisites: THL801
THL202B	Structuralist analysis of narrative texts	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to analyse short narrative texts, with specific attention to the South African short story. Pre-requisites: THL802
THL203C	Theory and practice of South African literary studies	(S1,S2) *
Purpose: to introduce students to the theories, methods and practical skills for comparative and interdisciplinary learning in South African Literary Studies. Advice: Knowledge of a South African language and literature and a basic knowledge of literary theory is assumed. Pre-requisites: TWO first level modules in this subject or any FOUR first-level modules
THL204D	Advanced creative writing: a practical course	(S1,S2)
Purpose: to further develop and advance the knowledge and practical skills required for creative writing in various genres. Advice: Advanced language skills in the language in which students are going to take the module is assumed. Pre-requisites: THL821, 822, 823 Notes: Final assessment in this module will be based on creative work which the student must hand in.

third Level

THL301D	The relation between the text and the social	(S1,S2) *
Syllabus: Social semiotics, ideology (with special emphasis on Marxist literary criticism) and discourse (with special emphasis on Foucault’s theory of discourse). Pre-requisites: THL201
THL302E	Literary theories in action	(S1,S2)
Syllabus: Critical practice today: readings from postcolonial and feminist (gender studies) discourses; theory as critical tool: poststructuralism and options from deconstruction (Derrida), psychoanalysis (Lacan), discourse analysis (Foucault), and psychosemiotics (Kristeva); poststructuralist theory as a literary analysis tool. Pre-requisites: THL201
THL304G	Creative writing workshop and portfolio	(S1,S2)
Purpose: to provide practical assistance for students to enable them to produce a portfolio of creative writing in the language of their major. Advice: Advanced language skills in the language chosen as the major subject and knowledge of document and manuscript design is assumed. Pre-requisites: THL204 Notes: Final assessment in this module will be based on creative work which the student must hand in.