Criticism 1

Course Description

This course traces the philosophical and critical development of Western thought in its particular relation to “Art”.  The critical selections cover the classical conception of Art, Renaissance and the 18th century (the Age of Reason) and emphasize the major trends and orientation of Arts criticism in the Western critical thought.  Major orientations, motifs of criticism are also emphasized as they developed from classical periods to the 18th century (the Age of Reason).

Course Aims

1. Identify the basic principles of the major literary critical theory from the Classical Period with Aristotle and Plato, through the Renaissance with Sidney, and the Neo-

Classical period with Dryden, and the Romantics. 

2. Explain the development of the different critical theories, mentioned in 1 above.

3. Explain how each critic espouses unique theory as well as ideas of earlier critics

4. Analyze literary works utilizing the various critical theories discussed

Learning Outcomes

1. The major critical works of Aristotle, Plato, Sidney, and Dryden..
2.  How the tenets of literary criticism have evolved and changed through the course of these major literary periods
3. The major critical works of Aristotle, Plato, Sidney, and Dryden
4. The ability to analyse literary works utilizing the critical theory discussed
5.  The ability to explain how literary theory has evolved and developed during these periods
6. The ability to explain how each critic espouses unique theory as well as ideas of earlier critics 
7.  Students are expected to prepare the material we plan to discuss.