The Notes and Queries Journal is a chance to become familiar with the scope and variety of literary theory, without having to read the primary sources. Compare and contrast the excerpts from Barry (2017, pp. 19-23 & 33-38): 'Ten tenets of Liberal Humanism' with 'Some recurrent ideas in Theory'. Reading these sections carefully is a short cut to understanding key ideas and issues, which you will then be able to associate with particular schools and primary texts. Think of this as a "shallow end" assessment; an opportunity to take your time in developing an understanding of theory as a discourse which enables scholars to analyse the political consequences of their own and their culture's conventional values and beliefs. Make sure to address the following issues in your journal:

• What are the main problems with liberal humanism that theory addresses? (e.g. the human as "transcendental subject")
• What are some of the assumptions and values that theory challenges? (e.g. art as expressing an organic fusion of content and form)
• What alternatives to liberal humanism does theory offer? (e.g. a feminist-led reform of patriarchal social life)
• What are the pros and cons of theory as a means of understanding literature, culture and the self? (e.g. Marxism is a valid critique of capitalism, but it can lead to authoritarianism in practice)

While the writing style and approach can be relatively informal it must still be understandable, clear and concise.The skills you develop here in identifying the key concepts and issues of traditional and contemporary approaches to literature will contribute to successful outcomes in Assessments 2 and 3. 

Length: 1000 words

Important information about Word Count: 
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations. 

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI) Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows: 


•  No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

1. Evidence of reflection and critical thinking;
2. Engagement with the ideas and concepts explored in the unit;
3. Use of literary/cultural examples to support ideas and arguments;
4. Clarity of expression and proper acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.

The purpose of an annotated bibliography in scholarly writing is to provide a comprehensive overview and critical evaluation of the sources relevant to a particular research or essay topic. This assessment requires you to select and critically review five (5) primary theoretical texts that you can relate to one of the Assessment 3 essay topics (which you will need to consider ASAP). If you are confident enough to develop your own essay topic consult with your unit coordinator. Write approximately 300 words on each text, providing a description and evaluation using the following four questions:

1.    What is the text's main idea/thesis/argument? 

2.    Why is the theorist making their argument? 

3.    What reasons/evidence does the theorist use to support their case? 

4.    How might this source be relevant to its school, to literary theory, and to contemporary social life more 
generally?

NOTE: A more detailed explanation of these four points can be found on Moodle. 

Length: 1500 words

Important information about Word Count:

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI) Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows: 
•  No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

1. Relevance of source selection to essay topic;
2. The extent to which you have addressed the 4 questions effectively;
3. Critical analysis and evaluation of sources, including consideration of social, historical, aesthetic, and political contexts;
4. Presentation and scholarly writing style (including spelling, grammar, and punctuation);
5. Correct use of Harvard (author-date) referencing style.

Weighting: 40%
Length: No less than 1500-2000 words

Prepare an essay on one of the following topics using primary texts from your annotated bibliography as the basis of your discussion. Your essay should put forward an argument in relation to the topic, drawing on relevant theoretical concepts, and be supported by a small selection of literary and/or cultural examples where appropriate.

• As summarised by theorist Jonathon Culler (2011, pp. 14-15):


1. 1. Theory is interdisciplinary - discourse with effects outside an original discipline.

   2. Theory is analytical and speculative - an attempt to work out what is involved in what we call sex or language or writing or meaning or the subject. 

   3. Theory is a critique of common sense, of concepts taken as natural. 

   4. Theory is reflexive, thinking about thinking, enquiry into the categories we use in making sense of things, in literature and in other discursive practices.


Explain some of these ideas and issues regarding what theory is and does by analysing a small selection of literary and popular texts as examples to demonstrate your understanding.

• According to Barry (2017, pp. 36-38), the following five points represent the ‘basic frame of mind which theory embodies’.
 

1. 1. 
Politics is pervasive,

   2. Language is constitutive, 
   3. Truth is provisional, 

   4. Meaning is contingent,
   5. Human nature is a myth. 



As you work through the unit and focus on particular primary texts for your Annotated Bibliography, try to show how particular schools of thought align with and elaborate on Barry’s principles.
 


• In contemporary literary studies as Kusch (2016, pp. 111-123) explains, there are: 

  • theories of defining the literary and aesthetics; 

  • theories of language and representation; 

  • theories of identity and the self; 

  • theories of politics and culture;


Provide a brief summary of how the texts in your annotated bibliography fit within this model, and use a small selection of literary or popular texts to exemplify and support your argument.

• Castle (2006 p. 5) describes how the aim of literary theory is to interrogate the discursive framework of an 'Enlightenment thinking, characterized by a universalized subject of knowledge, an empirical orientation to phenomena, and a belief in the universality and instrumentality of reason'. Describe how several schools of theory critique these sweeping humanist assumptions. 
• ‘For Marxism, Feminism and other theories, culture is both a means of domination, of assuring the rule of one class or group over another, and a means of resistance to such domination, a way of articulating oppositional points of view to the dominant ideology. Discuss with reference to your chosen theoretical texts using a small selection of literary and popular texts to exemplify and support your argument.
• According to Whitla (2010, p. 217) literary theories, 'challenge fundamental assumptions about how language works and about how we know about the world, [and] they also question deep-seated sites of political and intellectual authority.' This can be seen as both empowering and disconcerting for people in the contemporary world. Discuss these issues in the context of what Belsey (2002, p. 130) calls theory's "Copernican' revolution," analysing texts from your annotated bibliography and a small selection of literary and popular texts to exemplify and support your argument.

NOTE: More topics may be added and/or you may develop your own topic in consultation with the unit coordinator.

Important information about Word Count:

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI) Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows: 
•  No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.

This assignment will be evaluated using the following assessment criteria:

• Development of a convincing and coherent argument in response to the question;
• High level of engagement with key ideas and concepts relating to literary theory;
• Clear and correct written expression (effective use of essay structure, correct spelling and grammar);
• The proper acknowledgement of all sources (minimum of 6) using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.