Dr Philip Holden (email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg)

Some Pointers

This is an introductory class in which I'd like to try to do three things:

1. Get to know you a little and establish our mutual expectations about teaching and learning this semester.
2. Explain the structure of the module, its aims and objectives, and anything else which is not clear from the website.
3. Drawing upon the experience of everyone in the class, to think about the aims and objectives of literary study in general. What is the function of Literature in society? And why might we want to study Literature as an academic subject? What is the place of "theory" in the study of Literature?

Reading

Since this is the first class meeting, there will be no compulsory assigned reading. It would be very useful, however, if you could look at Peter Barry's "Introduction" (Beginning Theory 1-10), although consider the "stop and think" exercises optional. Make sure you are ready for the module by acquiring as many of the set texts as possible, and, if you haven't already done so, start reading Interpreter of Maladies. You might also want to ask yourself the following questions--make a few notes if it will help you to recall your ideas in class.

IVLE Introductions

Write a brief paragraph introducing yourself, and concentrating on some (or all) of the following questions. Try to post it on the IVLE site either before our first lecture or any time in the week after the first lecture:

• Why did you decide to study Literature at 'A' Level?
• What aspects did you find challenging and/or stimulating about the way you studied Literature at 'A' Level? What aspects did you find less interesting, difficult, or boring?
• Think your favorite literary text you've enjoyed "reading."  Note that the definition of "literary text" here could be quite broad--it could be a novel, play, or poem, but also a film, a play you've seen, or a T.V. programme. Why did you enjoy it?

Last updated: 12 November, 2004