ENGL 2000: Ways of Reading: An Introduction to Critical Reading and Interpretation

Abstract

COURSE DESCRIPTION Who decides what texts mean? Are some interpretations better than others? Does the author’s intention matter? How does language work? In this foundational course, we will study texts of the culture around us, as well as literature, and will consider the major debates about meaning and interpretive practices that have emerged throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.¶ This course is more about how we read than what we read. The goal is to show how meaning is created through critical reading and to help you learn to read and interpret works contextually and closely. To this end, our course has several objectives: students should leave this course with a clear sense of the variety of theoretical approaches available to them as readers of texts; have a sense of why these approaches matter in apprehending all different kinds of texts; and be able to manifest their ability to read texts in different ways through verbal and written modes of communication.¶ You may find that the issues and texts – and the language in some of the readings –difficult at first. But the course is also fun and will help you gain some of the skills you’ll need to read and write critically about all kinds of texts, not just literary ones. Each section of the course takes up a number of major issues of concern in literary and cultural studies, issues like authorship, language, reading, subjectivity, ideology, history and difference.¶ GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS • Practice skills in close reading and interpretation • Understand the vocabulary and conventions of four genres of literature (poetry, short fiction, novel, genre) • Express ideas in writing and practice revising your work • Read secondary critical articles and integrate them into your work¶ GOALS OF THE COURSE • Practice the skills of close reading of literature • Explore literary interpretation and critical analysis • Write thesis-driven essays using claims and evidence structure • Practice a variety of critical perspectives interpreting literature