English 150

Other Readings and Media

James, H.: The Spoils of Poynton, What Maisie Knew, The Turn of the Screw, The Ambassadors, selected short stories, essays, and literary criticism

Description

"This course will focus on James as a foundational figure for twentieth-century novel theory. We will consider how James?s literary critical writing inspired later thinkers to think systematically about the novel as a high art form; and why James?s own novels are an enduring object of reference for novel theorists throughout the twentieth century. Theorists will include Percy Lubbock, Tzvetan Todorov, Wayne Booth, Seymour Chatman, Peter Brooks, Leo Bersani, Dorrit Cohn, J. Hillis Miller, Eve Sedgwick, and Fredric Jameson.



Our study of novel theory will be accompanied by the on-going research that students will conduct independently on a topic related to James. This research will culminate in a 15-20 page critical essay, due at the end of the term. A prospectus, bibliography and full rough draft of the essay will be required steps of the research and writing process. There is no midterm or final. "