76-750 Critical Theories about Literature

9–12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course will study various theories of the interpretation of texts (in print, performances, film, or painting). We will read in a range of theories, from ancient philosophers like Aristotle, through 18th and 19th century philologists, and the 20th century theory and practice of New Criticism. We will study the hermeneutics of suspicision of Marx, Nietszche, and Freud, the structuralism of Levi-Strauss, and the poststructuralism of Barthes, Derrida, and their deciples. We will conclude with some 21st century contributions to these debates.. How have such critics and theorists thought about the meaning and experience of texts? What techniques of analyzing literary texts have such theories stimulated? Two papers and vigorous in-class discussion will be required.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2026

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