AustLit

How does meaning work? This unit equips students to explore the concepts that underpin our understanding of literary texts and writing. It surveys the major literary theories of the twentieth century, examining the theoretical languages and approaches one by one - liberal humanism, structuralism, semiotics, feminism, queer studies, Marxism, psychoanalysis, poststructuralism, postmodernism and postcolonialism - in order to deconstruct two key literary works, Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and David Williamson's "Dead White Males". Questions raised include: How should we read? What is an author? Is it possible to arrive at a single correct interpretation? How are texts related to other texts? To what extent do factors such as gender and racial difference impact upon literary production and reception? How does a reading of literary texts assist us in understanding the larger contexts of contemporary culture? This unit provides students with skills in revealing analysis, and is recommended for students intending to major in English or to progress to honours level.