ELIT 3000
Introduction to Literary Theory
This course introduces students to some of the most influential theoretical approaches to interpretation applied to English-language literature; to significant conceptual and historical debates about literary and cultural theory; and to the keywords used in these debates. Students will learn how to write and speak about theoretical texts and how to recognize the theoretical assumptions that underlie acts of literary interpretation. Theoretical approaches to be featured may include formalism; Marxism; psychoanalysis; gender and sexuality studies; structuralism and post-structuralism; postcolonial studies; critical race studies; new historicism and cultural materialism; cultural studies; affect theory; neurocognitive approaches; and disability studies. This course fulfills the literary theory requirement for the English major; no substitutions will be permitted.
Instructors
Anca Parvulescu, Benjamin Cooper, Beth Windle, Elisabeth Windle, Kevin Beverage, Margaret Batten, Wren Henderson
Reviews
Dr. Windle is an amazing professor! She genuinely cares about her students and has a gift for explaining difficult concepts with clarity. Attendance is important but it comes from a practical rather than rigid perspective. If you're an English major definitely try to take Lit Theory with Windle
12/16/2024
Lit Theory was enjoyable despite the immense number of readings and their difficulty because of Prof. Batten's master of the material and enthusiasm for fostering understanding. Though I admittedly zoned out sometimes during class, I still feel that I learned a lot and improved as a reader and general member of the academic community.
12/6/2024
Beth is by far the best professor I've had at WashU. Not only is she brilliant, but she is able to articulate class concepts masterfully, even when the material is complex. I always left class feeling confident about our readings. Beth is everything a student looks for in a teacher - inspiring, challenging, engaging, accessible, and hilarious!
10/1/2024
Changes how you think about humanity every class. Batten is a muse and is incredible. Take the dang class with her if you can. Best lit theory teacher by far. She's just real. What a dang gem.
12/27/2023
She was a wonderful teacher and I would highly recommend her class! Outstanding!
5/10/2023
Beth checks off all the boxes in being organized, compassionate, a great personality, and memorable. Discussions are like friendly conversations, accepting of all ideas and with spontaneous and fun connections! Outside of class, the advice I have received from Beth regarding writing and life in general has also been invaluable and rare.
1/10/2021
Prof Batten is incredibly passionate, intelligent, and caring. She does not explain herself very often, but if you read and digest the materials carefully you'll realize just how smart and complex her observations are. Readings themselves are pretty tough and she never straightforwardly summarizes it, so you'll have to read to pass.
4/24/2020
I took Cooper's class about a year ago and it tortured the hell out of me. He combines a lack of clarity, poor knowledge of the subject, arrogance, a self-absorbed, insecurity and a lack of originality. Thank God if you can avoid his classes.
1/3/2014
I took Cooper's class about a year ago and it tortured the hell out of me. He combines a lack of clarity, poor knowledge of the subject, arrogance, a self-absorbed, insecurity and a lack of originality. He reliance on textbooks and other critical writings make up for his lack of insight. Thank God if you can avoid his classes.
1/3/2014
Amazing guy! He was so incredibly helpful with theory (especially Derrida) and had a dry sense of humor. Theory can be hard, but Kevin made it better.
12/10/2013