English 681

ENG 681: Topics in Contemporary Theory

Prerequisite: Acceptance in Radford University Masters in English Program

Credit Hours: (3)

An in-depth and intensive study of primary texts in a specific topic of contemporary theory, such as, but not limited to: discourse theory; Gender and Sexuality Studies (e.g., Feminisms, Masculinity Studies, LGBTQ Studies); New Historicisms; theories of teaching writing on the secondary level; theories of subjectivity and identity; theories of ideology; theories of the aesthetic; theories of authorship; emphasis on comprehension of theoretical texts and their application in the analysis of literature, language, culture, writing, professional communication, or pedagogy. The specific theoretical content will vary with each offering.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Each topics course will include a description of the course's content. That description will include the primary and secondary readings that will be central features of the course, the nature and purposes of writing assignments, and the nature and purposes of any projects, performances, or field experiences that will be a part of the course. The course content will focus on primary theoretical texts representing a specific area of contemporary theory pertinent to the study of language, literature, culture, professional writing, or other topics pertinent to advanced study in the field of English. Secondary commentary on the theoretical readings may also be included, as determined by the instructor. The course will emphasize the meticulous reading and comprehension of contemporary theoretical texts as well as their application in the analysis of literature, language, culture, writing, professional communication, or pedagogy.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Each topics course offering will include a description of how the course will be conducted. This description will detail the kinds of instruction, assignments, and other interactions the students and the professor will have. If other persons will be a part of the course, their roles and the nature of their interactions with the students will also be detailed. Course activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: lectures, class discussion, student presentations on assigned readings, seminar format with students responsible for researching particular topics and reporting on them, short analytic essays on the theoretical readings, quizzes, tests, presentation of seminar papers at professional conferences or the Radford University Student Engagement Forum.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Each topics course offering will include a description of the course's goals and objectives. These goals can be both content centered and process centered. However, each Topics in Contemporary Theory class will provide graduate students with an in-depth and intensively focused examination of a particular mode of contemporary theory pertinent to the study of literature, language, culture, writing, professional communication, pedagogy or some other area of inquiry pertinent to graduate study in English. A second general goal for all Topics in Contemporary Theory courses is to afford graduate students the opportunity to develop mastery in a specific theory or theoretical question and to demonstrate that mastery in a piece of advanced scholarly writing appropriate for presentation at a professional conference.

Assessment Measures

Each topics course offering will include a description of how the students' performance will be evaluated. Assessment may be based on a variety of measures including, but not limited to, the following: preparation for and participation during class meetings, oral presentation, informal and/or creative writing exercises, quizzes and examinations, short analytic essays on primary theoretical texts, short analytic essays which apply primary theoretical texts to the analysis of some other text or artifact, short essay comparing usefulness and limitations of specific theories, formal research essay of professional rigor and quality, final synthesis essay in which the student creates a comprehensive assessment of the theories studied.

Other Course and Information

Topics in Contemporary Theory courses will not replicate the content of established courses. They will not duplicate the broad survey of Literary Criticism and Theory already offered at the graduate level. Course offerings will provide opportunities for graduate students to study contemporary theory in a way more narrowly focused on a specific theory or theoretical concern than the established courses do.

Review and Approval

May 2, 2016