I intend to document various newspaper reports and articles on higher education on daily basis. For this I am looking for a student who is either my student or one who is interested in collaborating in documentation.
The tasks would be to locate the newspaper/magazine reports/articles on higher education on daily basis and upload their URL. I would be contacting the person over the mobile every evening to inform about the reports and their reference. The person needs to be self-motivated, regular in doing the tasks, has a easy access to internet, and should be ready to keep aside at least 15 min to half an hour everyday for this.
As this is a philanthropic work being done with purpose of helping researchers, policymakers and those concerned about higher education, and has no funding, the collaboration is non-remunerative. However, if need be I can give a letter stating the collaboration, and an occasional dinner.
Those who are interested may email me on ajpinto42 at gmail dot com or meet me on campus whenever or wherever you spot me.
There may be other areas I might gradually start documentation on for which I would need help of other volunteers.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Frugal innovation: What GE does in Bangalore
From now on I would be posting some of the articles that I like for the benefit of the like-minded student community or others. Here is the first one on GE.
Frugal innovation: What GE does in Bangalore
Here is another on 10 most commonly misspelt words in the UK
Frugal innovation: What GE does in Bangalore
Here is another on 10 most commonly misspelt words in the UK
MA Literary Criticism, MA Research and Writing Heuristics, BA Literary Theory and Criticism Course plans
Emergence of English literature in Higher Education
Lecture notes of Ashif Ali of PSEng on 11 June 2009.
----------------
In the discourse of social sciences Literature is one of the youngest disciplines. Contrary to the ubiquitous presence of Literature now a days, there was serene bemusement when English literature was first introduced in universities like Oxford and Cambridge. In 1830s Harvard was the first institution offering English literature as a subject which was then followed by India. The emergence of English studies is largely indebted to:
i) Imperilism
ii) War/military purpose
iii) Nationalism
After 1857 sepoy mutiny, the central power of controlling India shifted from East India Company to the Crown in London. The emergence of English studies in India was in a way a by-product of Imperialism. “Colonialism entered India from the three coastlines of the country” where in English literature was first introduced in ‘Bombay’ ‘Madras’ and ‘Calcutta’. English studies in cartographic sense served as an “ambassador of colonialism” acting as a tool to “colonize the uncolonized mind.” The construction of superior image of the English and their cultured way of life was pedantic through the study of English Literature. The education structure was such that writings critiquing the English social structure (Shakespeare’s Comedies) were never introduced. Censorship was brought into the picture in order to envelope the image of the colonizers. Madras was the first place in India where censorship was spawned. Thus it was through imperilism that emergence of English studies can be traced.
Reference
Pinto, Anil.Class Lecture. 'Emergence of Literature as a Discipline'. Christ University,Bangalore,India. 11 Jun 2009
Reference
Pinto, Anil.Class Lecture. 'Emergence of Literature as a Discipline'. Christ University,Bangalore,India. 11 Jun 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
IV International Conference of OSLE-India on Ecology: Texts and Contexts
hosts
IV International Conference
of
Organisation for Studies in Literature and Environment-India (OSLE-India)
on
Ecology: Texts and Contexts
at
on
25 & 26 September, 2009
The
It is no coincidence that the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi addressed the freedom fighters of Tiruchirapalli in the years back on the campus of
OSLE- India
OSLE-India is a forum for promoting ecocriticism, especially in
Today 'ecocriticism' has come to mean not only 'the application of ecology and ecological principles to the
study of literature,' but also the theoretical approach to the interrelational web of natural, cultural and
supernatural phenomena.
Conference Theme - Ecology : Texts and Contexts
Ecology is under tremendous pressure owing to human interventions in the form of industrial development, resource exploitation, and even cultural advancement. As a result many of the natural givens like clean air, pure water and pristine land are being denatured and polluted causing irreparable structural and systemic damages. For a long time, literature remained inure to these changes, often, valorizing nature and romanticizing the environment. But the steady accumulation of waste, a by product of an industrial society, the depletion of natural resources, the despoilment of air, water and land and the seemingly irredeemable situation of the planet Earth have led to a new kind of writing which is ecocritical, a writing that problematizes ecological issues and offers a critique of the many cultural practices.
The IV International Conference of OSLE India, to be held at National College (affiliated to Bharathidasan University , Tiruchirapalli) Tamilnadu, India on September 25 & 26, 2009 is again an attempt to review not only ecocritical writings but also to reexamine ecological issues. The conference further seeks to expand the disciplinary boundaries and achieve ‘interdisciplinarity’ by bringing together two dissimilar body of knowledge, namely sciences and humanities. The academy stands to gain as it will provide critical insights and pedagogical concepts from this forthcoming confluence of minds.
The following sub-themes are also identified for critical exploration and loud thinking.
Literary Ecology
Social Ecology
Land Ethic / Health
Localization / Globalization / Glocalization (related to Ecology)
Bioregionalism
Ecological Cosmopolitanism
Ecofeminism
Ecotheology
Ecosophy / Ecophilosophy
Postmodern Geography / Geophilia
Toxic Consciousness / Discourse
Waste – Industrial, Medical & Nuclear / Management / Consciousness
Films, Plays and Playlets (related to Ecology)
Ethnographic writing / Folklore / Folkways / Folk Music
Curricular Design (involving Ecology & Literature)
Ecolinguistics,
Ecopsychology, Oikopoetics, Nativism, Ecological
Economics,
Green Politics,
Ecotechnology and Ecoscience
Call for Papers:
Abstracts not exceeding 300 words have to be submitted before the 30th of June for acceptance. The contributors will be informed of the acceptance by the 15th of July. Full papers, not exceeding eight pages and typed out in double space in A4 following MLA style sheet, have to be submitted by the 31st of August.
Delegate Fee:
For Members
Indian Students INR 500
Indian Non -Students INR 1050
Foreign Students INR 1800
Foreign Non-Students INR 2800
For Non-Members
Indian Students INR 650
Indian Non-Students INR 1350
Foreign Students INR 2000
Foreign Non -Students INR 3100
Local Students INR 300
Delegate Fee include 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner coffee & snacks twice a day for 2 days.
For ordinary but decent accommodation add INR 500 for two days.
Fee will be accepted only in the form of demand drafts drawn in favour of The Principal,
Tiruchirapalli is the fourth largest city in the state of Tamilnadu. It is well connected by rail, road and air. The college itself is located just 1 km from the railway station and the bus stand and 8 kms from the
Postal Address
D.E.Benet
IV OSLE-India International Conference Coordinator
Department of English
National College, Tiruchirapalli – 620001
Tamilnadu, India
Mobile No : 91-94432- 48012
E- Mail premeben@yahoo.com
You may contact the coordinator, D.E.Benet of National College (Mobile Phone. 9443248012), Tiruchirapalli, for further information. You may also contact Rayson K. Alex (Mobile No. 9840166877) of OSLE-India for information.
All email communications can be done at <osleindia@gmail.com>.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
American Literature- Third Semester BA
Hey everyone! This is the history of American Literature, a presentation I made in class! Hope it is useful! :)
1.The East Coast of America that we know of today was once a collection of British colonies. Thus the earliest American literature branched out of English literature.
2. The earliest literature in America was colonial literature in the form of pamphlets and writings that emphasized the benefits of colonization to the Americans.
3. Then, there were the religious writers who focussed on the separation of the church and the state. They wrote during the 17th century. Examples of such writers were John Winthrop, Roger Williams etc.
4. The other writers who flourished during that period wrote about the interactions and the subsequent clashes with the Indians.
5. The early 18th century was termed the Great Awakening, a period of religious revival. Examples of writers during this period Thomas Shepard, John Wise etc. This revolutionary period also contained political writings including some works by colonists. Two key figures during this period were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.
The serious writing that America was used to until then was seeing a gradual change with wit and intellect being introduced into the writing.
6.Post world war two, essays discussing the American government organization and republican values. Writers also discussed their disillusionment with the war. Examples of writers during this period were Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
7. The late 18th and early 19th century saw the emergence of novels. They represented new political, cultural and literary concerns of America. The pioneer of female education was Cathy Davidson who wrote during this period.
8. The early 20 th century saw poetry flourish with Frost, T S Eliot, Slyvia Plath etc writing during this time. Mark Twain also reached the heights of his popularity at that time. His characters had regional and native accents to them. Other writers who had similar styles were George W Cable and O Henry.
9. There was a drift towards realism in the early 20th century. Class distinctions were written about. Kitchen sink dramas also became popular.
10. The period between 1960's and 70's saw realism, modernism and romanticism in the publications.
11. From the 1970's until date, the writers are termed as postmodernists. They focus on how popular culture and mass media have influenced the average American's perception of his/her own history. Examples of such writers are David Foster Wallace and Dave Eggers.
1.The East Coast of America that we know of today was once a collection of British colonies. Thus the earliest American literature branched out of English literature.
2. The earliest literature in America was colonial literature in the form of pamphlets and writings that emphasized the benefits of colonization to the Americans.
3. Then, there were the religious writers who focussed on the separation of the church and the state. They wrote during the 17th century. Examples of such writers were John Winthrop, Roger Williams etc.
4. The other writers who flourished during that period wrote about the interactions and the subsequent clashes with the Indians.
5. The early 18th century was termed the Great Awakening, a period of religious revival. Examples of writers during this period Thomas Shepard, John Wise etc. This revolutionary period also contained political writings including some works by colonists. Two key figures during this period were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.
The serious writing that America was used to until then was seeing a gradual change with wit and intellect being introduced into the writing.
6.Post world war two, essays discussing the American government organization and republican values. Writers also discussed their disillusionment with the war. Examples of writers during this period were Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
7. The late 18th and early 19th century saw the emergence of novels. They represented new political, cultural and literary concerns of America. The pioneer of female education was Cathy Davidson who wrote during this period.
8. The early 20 th century saw poetry flourish with Frost, T S Eliot, Slyvia Plath etc writing during this time. Mark Twain also reached the heights of his popularity at that time. His characters had regional and native accents to them. Other writers who had similar styles were George W Cable and O Henry.
9. There was a drift towards realism in the early 20th century. Class distinctions were written about. Kitchen sink dramas also became popular.
10. The period between 1960's and 70's saw realism, modernism and romanticism in the publications.
11. From the 1970's until date, the writers are termed as postmodernists. They focus on how popular culture and mass media have influenced the average American's perception of his/her own history. Examples of such writers are David Foster Wallace and Dave Eggers.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Birth of literature as a discipline and construction of literary theory
Following is the notes taken down by Noopur of III year FEP during my two lectures - on birth and emergence of English literature as a discipline and Construction of literary theory on 8 June and 12 June.
After discussing the requests of students about how the class should function, Mr Pinto started talking about how literature emerged as a discipline. This was an overview class spanning two hours totally and we tried following the trajectory of the birth of the English department in universities and where theory in literature began. He explained that the English literature department is one of the youngest departments and that its origin is largely indebted to the empirical agenda of England. The first one was setup in 1830's in Harvard and then three departments were setup in various presidencies in India. The intent behind introducing English literature as a subject was to naturalize it and make the natives aware about their (English) culture by writing and talking about it. After the sepoy mutiny in 1857, the rule of India was transferred from the East India company to the Queen herself. 1858 onwards under this direct rule, more universities To legitimize its position, literature as a discipline starts creating and telling an account of its roots and its long history. While doing this, the path it takes is similar to that of Christianity and derives its roots from Greek literature.That is why the earliest texts in literature are from ancient Greece, namely those of Plato. Until the romantic period, practice always preceded theory and literature as such had no theory independent of the past experiences in practice. The earliest theory in literature itself was by Aristotle- "On poetics" where he has elaborately summarised a play by Sophocles called "Oedipus Rex". As discussed earlier, this discipline emerged as a part of the imperialist and military agenda wherein the logic was that if one restricts access to a particular region's literature then people on the other side have negligible or faint idea about how their enemies are and thus, since they don't know about the situation/problems/grievances of their enemy, it is easier to fight. So, underlying the foundations of literature as a discipline there is a nationalist or imperialist agenda at work.
Then he spoke about what literature is. In numerous discussions about what the nature and function of literature are, the idea that " literature is a mirror of the society" comes up. Mr. Pinto explained how this idea is also borrowed from the concept of "mimesis" from Greek philosophy.Mimesis means imitation in Greek. A sophist called Thales had asked the question: What is the substance of life?He reached the answer as water being the substance of life. Plato did not answer this question but asked another question about "how the world is made?" To this he says that "all objects in this world are an imperfect imitation of the ideal". He did not elaborate on the implications or nature of "the ideal" but explained that since all objects, including life, are an "imperfect imitation" of the ideal, they cannot seek to equal the actual essence.Further, literature seeks to describe this already "imperfect imitation" which means that it is "twice removed from reality" and is only "representing" reality. The question of representation becomes very important because then it depends on the medium and its intrinsic nature how reality is represented. Thus literature is a mirror of life, perhaps reflecting distorted images bearing resemblance to " the real/ideal".
Summing up on the timeline that the "literary theory and criticism" class would follow he started with the pre-socratic period to the Socratic period to the post Socratic. Socratic period consists of Socrates, Aristotle and Plato. This is followed by the Romantic period, then Modernist and finally the post structuralist/post modern period. Until the time of the Romantics, English literature was not informed by any theory that asked questions about the nature of writing, essence of literature itself etc. The romantics expressed a desire to write about the ordinary people, instead of the aristocracy and nobility like Shakespeare did. Matthew Arnold probed into what should be literature. Here came the romantic notion of "literature as a tool to sensitize people" which still holds in governmental education policies whereby a paper or two of humanities is compulsory for students of pure/applied natural sciences and commerce. Then came the Victorian period where literature was used to propagate moral values in a massified form. With the Avant Garde movement, people started experimenting with both, form and content and rejecting the belief that literature should have a social purpose or meaning and utility. The modernist period saw movements like Formalism where the focus was on form. The premise was that changes in form change the way a text is perceived(?) Then came the structuralists who stressed on a common structure seen through different texts. Eg. Amitabh Bacchan usually played the archetypal hero Karna, from Mahabharata throughout a lot of films. The story line was such that he ends up being the abandoned, struggler, eventually borders on the line of law (Ashis Nandy) So, we can see a common structure throughout a plethora of texts which are just tweaked in content. By this time, because of a conscious effort into producing "new"/"different" literature, theory had begun to precede practice. Vladimir Propp, a folklorist and russian structuralist had pointed out that there are actually only six to eight original structures in the short stories written till date.
---------------------------------------
After discussing the requests of students about how the class should function, Mr Pinto started talking about how literature emerged as a discipline. This was an overview class spanning two hours totally and we tried following the trajectory of the birth of the English department in universities and where theory in literature began. He explained that the English literature department is one of the youngest departments and that its origin is largely indebted to the empirical agenda of England. The first one was setup in 1830's in Harvard and then three departments were setup in various presidencies in India. The intent behind introducing English literature as a subject was to naturalize it and make the natives aware about their (English) culture by writing and talking about it. After the sepoy mutiny in 1857, the rule of India was transferred from the East India company to the Queen herself. 1858 onwards under this direct rule, more universities To legitimize its position, literature as a discipline starts creating and telling an account of its roots and its long history. While doing this, the path it takes is similar to that of Christianity and derives its roots from Greek literature.That is why the earliest texts in literature are from ancient Greece, namely those of Plato. Until the romantic period, practice always preceded theory and literature as such had no theory independent of the past experiences in practice. The earliest theory in literature itself was by Aristotle- "On poetics" where he has elaborately summarised a play by Sophocles called "Oedipus Rex". As discussed earlier, this discipline emerged as a part of the imperialist and military agenda wherein the logic was that if one restricts access to a particular region's literature then people on the other side have negligible or faint idea about how their enemies are and thus, since they don't know about the situation/problems/grievances of their enemy, it is easier to fight. So, underlying the foundations of literature as a discipline there is a nationalist or imperialist agenda at work.
Then he spoke about what literature is. In numerous discussions about what the nature and function of literature are, the idea that " literature is a mirror of the society" comes up. Mr. Pinto explained how this idea is also borrowed from the concept of "mimesis" from Greek philosophy.Mimesis means imitation in Greek. A sophist called Thales had asked the question: What is the substance of life?He reached the answer as water being the substance of life. Plato did not answer this question but asked another question about "how the world is made?" To this he says that "all objects in this world are an imperfect imitation of the ideal". He did not elaborate on the implications or nature of "the ideal" but explained that since all objects, including life, are an "imperfect imitation" of the ideal, they cannot seek to equal the actual essence.Further, literature seeks to describe this already "imperfect imitation" which means that it is "twice removed from reality" and is only "representing" reality. The question of representation becomes very important because then it depends on the medium and its intrinsic nature how reality is represented. Thus literature is a mirror of life, perhaps reflecting distorted images bearing resemblance to " the real/ideal".
Summing up on the timeline that the "literary theory and criticism" class would follow he started with the pre-socratic period to the Socratic period to the post Socratic. Socratic period consists of Socrates, Aristotle and Plato. This is followed by the Romantic period, then Modernist and finally the post structuralist/post modern period. Until the time of the Romantics, English literature was not informed by any theory that asked questions about the nature of writing, essence of literature itself etc. The romantics expressed a desire to write about the ordinary people, instead of the aristocracy and nobility like Shakespeare did. Matthew Arnold probed into what should be literature. Here came the romantic notion of "literature as a tool to sensitize people" which still holds in governmental education policies whereby a paper or two of humanities is compulsory for students of pure/applied natural sciences and commerce. Then came the Victorian period where literature was used to propagate moral values in a massified form. With the Avant Garde movement, people started experimenting with both, form and content and rejecting the belief that literature should have a social purpose or meaning and utility. The modernist period saw movements like Formalism where the focus was on form. The premise was that changes in form change the way a text is perceived(?) Then came the structuralists who stressed on a common structure seen through different texts. Eg. Amitabh Bacchan usually played the archetypal hero Karna, from Mahabharata throughout a lot of films. The story line was such that he ends up being the abandoned, struggler, eventually borders on the line of law (Ashis Nandy) So, we can see a common structure throughout a plethora of texts which are just tweaked in content. By this time, because of a conscious effort into producing "new"/"different" literature, theory had begun to precede practice. Vladimir Propp, a folklorist and russian structuralist had pointed out that there are actually only six to eight original structures in the short stories written till date.
What is Research?
Ashwin Kumar from CSCS gave a lecture on research for the MA English students on 11 June 2009. Following is the class notes of Jijo K. (To MA Students) if you think some points need to be added please add them in the comment section. Or if you have a write up please email it to me.
-------------------------------------------------------
The class was based on the perspectives of Karl Popper on research.
Karl Popper. He was psychologist and a physicist of considerable acclaim
9/10 researches in Humanities is farce and the other one is unintelligible (unundertatndable)
Karl Hopper says that research can only solve problems. Those researches which do not solve genuine problems are not researches.
E.g. What is a bike? This is not a problem actually. This becomes a problem only when you are not able to distinguish it from a car. But there is a problem when you ask, why a bike does not fall when it is on the move? Some problems are not real and can be reduced to word problems and poor narration.
Something becomes a problem because you already have a theory about it, sometimes unarticulated. There is a theory existing even as a child is born. The theory is an explanation for an expected behaviour.... or condition which is a challenge. The process of theorising is as follows.
Theory 1 (T1) is the basic concept. T1 predicts the expected behaviour. If the expected behaviour does not happen and .... an event occurs. An event is something that happens against or outside the horizon of expectations according to the previous theory.
Now this theory has to be changed, annulled or modified to accommodate the new event. This is called a Tentative Hypothesis. This will after testing and evaluation become a Theory 2 (T2)
Again an event might occur and the theorising will continue.
The point is if something that does not have a problem, does not call for a research.
How to find what is a genuine problem? Intuition is the key to know whether something is a problem. Sometimes we do not ask the right questions or find the right problem because some other theories are blocking us to see the right problem. E.g. people who accepted the theory of ether tried to find its composition until someone said ether is not a necessary component to explain anything. So this was discarded and all the theories around it.
We are always called upon to make decisions. When you make a decision there is a closure of other opportunities. When you make a decision it is not based on pure logic. What is totally logical is deduction and not decisions.How do you make decisions? E.g. You were going somewhere and not able to find the way in a cross roads. But out of your hunches you make decisions. So it is not fully logical, or no reason to choose one over the other.
Theories are not verifiable. There are no positions which could not be argued out. The task of theory is to help you to perform well in a given situation. Why can’t you prove theory?
Popper answers this way
Atheory has two parts
- The Logical Content> the set of logical materials that you present
- Informative content> It is everything else outside of the explanation of the logical content or theory. E.g. photosynthesis gives nutrition for the plants. The Informative content is the dog does not have food through photosynthesis.
Some informative contents are relevant to the research but some are irrelevant. The knowledge of the theory is not exactly what you are trying to prove but the encircling informative content that you have. True knowledge is when you know what the theory is unable to explain.
Falsification of a theory
The only way of engaging theory is critiquing a theory. If your relationship to theory is critical then you cannot say a theory is right but only wrong. If you proved yourself you have falsified the previous theory.
You falsify a theory
- Within the scheme of the theory itself.
- You have to gather more informative content to disprove a theory. Not something that is not related to the topic but around the topic.
- Only those theories are scientific which can be falsified.
Infinitive Regress: when you try to defend a theory and if the very defence is challenged as the sign of failure of the very theory you are trying to protest or defend.
All theories are infinitively regressive. Right? Falsification can be successful or otherwise.
Examples for some knowledge that you develop other than non critical ways.
Skills: E.g. Music, architectures etc...
One is theoretical knowledge?
One is a social knowledge. E.g. what kind of a government is best for a nation. This knowledge is not like that of the first one(skills), action knowledge, experiential knowledge, spiritual knowledge or theoretical. These types of knowledges that do not bend to the skill or theoretical knowledge.
Humanities and social sciences are moral sciences.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
On Research
Following is the compilation of responses to a survey that MA English ... students undertook to understand issues around research in English Studies. It was part of the Research and Writing Heuristics course. The compilation was done by Rashmi and Jijo of II year MA English
What is research?
Exploration, analysis, diverges from existing knowledge. It is constant renewal. Propose to create theories. Can be subjective. Way of life, hard work, individual perspective, search for truth. It is quest for ideas, re-search for ideas. It begins with a question or a problem. It does not start with the state of knowingness. Not defining but proposing and proving something. It is a fusion and confusion of ideas. It is a search for new dimensions. Investigation. Proposing your views and your ideas.
How is research different in Humanities, languages, social sciences and natural sciences?
Linguistics is more academic and classroom oriented, quantitative. Linguistics is exact. Research in language studies is creative and imaginative. It is inclusive and multidisciplinary, qualitative, appeals to senses. Interdisciplinary, multiple interpretations. Concepts in literature can change.
How does one go about doing research?
Observation, questioning oneself, conclusion, analysis. Need to have the basic knowledge in the area, simple and accessible, have correct perspective, be open to changes, conduct a literature survey. Follow the existing methods, be objective and clear. Should start from nothingness, read, keep jotting down? Choose the area of your interest, engage constantly, build on it, and if it is broad try to narrow it down.
When should one start?
When one feels confident, ready, when one has enough data and information, yesterday. Read and write, collect data, follow exact method, enough data, language should flow. It should start now.
-----------------
What is research?
Exploration, analysis, diverges from existing knowledge. It is constant renewal. Propose to create theories. Can be subjective. Way of life, hard work, individual perspective, search for truth. It is quest for ideas, re-search for ideas. It begins with a question or a problem. It does not start with the state of knowingness. Not defining but proposing and proving something. It is a fusion and confusion of ideas. It is a search for new dimensions. Investigation. Proposing your views and your ideas.
How is research different in Humanities, languages, social sciences and natural sciences?
Linguistics is more academic and classroom oriented, quantitative. Linguistics is exact. Research in language studies is creative and imaginative. It is inclusive and multidisciplinary, qualitative, appeals to senses. Interdisciplinary, multiple interpretations. Concepts in literature can change.
How does one go about doing research?
Observation, questioning oneself, conclusion, analysis. Need to have the basic knowledge in the area, simple and accessible, have correct perspective, be open to changes, conduct a literature survey. Follow the existing methods, be objective and clear. Should start from nothingness, read, keep jotting down? Choose the area of your interest, engage constantly, build on it, and if it is broad try to narrow it down.
When should one start?
When one feels confident, ready, when one has enough data and information, yesterday. Read and write, collect data, follow exact method, enough data, language should flow. It should start now.
Monday, June 08, 2009
III Year FEP Expectations from my Class
1. Please do not embark on tangents. (Okey)
2. Give background to authors/names you mention. (Ok)
3. Please finish portions in time (K)
4. Don't be monotonous (Sure)
5. Stop before five minutes (Sorry)
6. Keep fan on/off. (The one near table -sorry. The other one – all yours)
7. Give CIA dates in advance. (Give me the dates you want. Will consider)
8. Another round of feedback in two weeks. (Remind me on 23rd)
9. Give an overview of all new topics (Will do)
10. Put up reading list on blog (teek hai)
11. Summary of class on blog (Would encourage some of you to volunteer to put class notes on blog. Will give you contributor privileges)
12. Students can come to clarify doubts after class. (Anytime. Will mostly be in the dept or library)
13. Get options for CIA from students (You have time till the next class to suggest the possibilities)
14. Attendance taken by students (Will think over it. Need to build accountability in it)
2. Give background to authors/names you mention. (Ok)
3. Please finish portions in time (K)
4. Don't be monotonous (Sure)
5. Stop before five minutes (Sorry)
6. Keep fan on/off. (The one near table -sorry. The other one – all yours)
7. Give CIA dates in advance. (Give me the dates you want. Will consider)
8. Another round of feedback in two weeks. (Remind me on 23rd)
9. Give an overview of all new topics (Will do)
10. Put up reading list on blog (teek hai)
11. Summary of class on blog (Would encourage some of you to volunteer to put class notes on blog. Will give you contributor privileges)
12. Students can come to clarify doubts after class. (Anytime. Will mostly be in the dept or library)
13. Get options for CIA from students (You have time till the next class to suggest the possibilities)
14. Attendance taken by students (Will think over it. Need to build accountability in it)
III Year PSEng Expectations from my Class
1) You being available for interaction/query after class hours. (Can meet me anywhere. I am mostly in the dept or library)
2) Level of language used during lecture to be made simple. (Sure)
3) Make lessons/essays easier and simpler to understand. (Done)
4) Preparing the class better to face the examination. (Granted)
5) Important questions and answers, something like a question bank. (Yes. After every module will do that. Do remind me in case I do not do it.)
6) Make the class as relevant to the text as possible. (Ok)
7) Even if we go beyond the text, please explain to us how it is related to the text in discussion. (Aye)
8) Make abstract points/Concepts clear. (K)
9) Class is encouraged to read more. (Love to do this)
10) Before beginning the day's class, please recap for us the previous class. (If one of you can volunteer, can chip in if need be)
2) Level of language used during lecture to be made simple. (Sure)
3) Make lessons/essays easier and simpler to understand. (Done)
4) Preparing the class better to face the examination. (Granted)
5) Important questions and answers, something like a question bank. (Yes. After every module will do that. Do remind me in case I do not do it.)
6) Make the class as relevant to the text as possible. (Ok)
7) Even if we go beyond the text, please explain to us how it is related to the text in discussion. (Aye)
8) Make abstract points/Concepts clear. (K)
9) Class is encouraged to read more. (Love to do this)
10) Before beginning the day's class, please recap for us the previous class. (If one of you can volunteer, can chip in if need be)
Friday, June 05, 2009
III Year PSEng, JPEng, FEP - Literary Theory and Criticism Course plan 2009
Following is the V semester Literary Theory and Criticism Course Plan for the year 2009. To download the pdf version click here
Department of Media Studies
V Semester PSEng, JPEng, FEP
OEN 531 - Literary Theory and Criticism
Course Plan 2009
Teaching facilitators : Anil Pinto, Padma Kumar, Sudhamshu
Total No of hours (approx) : 60
Subject : Optional English
Papers : Literary Theory and Criticism
| No | Topic | Dates/Remarks |
| 1 | Literature a critique Terry Eagleton: ‘What is Literature?’ Terry Eagleton : ‘The Rise of English’ | June 06 – July 12 |
| | Traditional Approaches Wifred L. Guerin : ‘Types of Traditional Approaches’ George Watson : ‘Are Poems Historical Acts?’ Text : Traditional Approaches to Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’ | June 06 – July 12 |
| 2 | Formalism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘Formalism’ Cleanth Brooks : ‘The Language of Paradox’ Text : “Word, Image, and Theme : Space-Time Metaphors in ‘To His Coy Mistress’” | July 14- Aug 2 |
| | Structuralism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘The Implied Order: Structuralism’ Gerard Genette : ‘Structuralism and Literary Criticism’ Claude Levi-Strauss: ‘On Structuralist Approach to Levi-Strauss’ | July 14- Aug 2 |
| 3 | Post-structuralism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘Introductory Deconstruction’ Paul de Man : ‘Semiology and Rhetoric’ J. Hillis Miller : ‘On a Post-structuralist Approach to Wordsworth’s a “Slumber Did my Spirit Seal”’ | Aug 4 - Aug 30 |
| 4 | Psychoanalysis William Vesterman : ‘A Brief Introduction to Psychoanalytic Criticism’ Earnest Jones ‘Hamlet and Psychoanalysis’ Geoffrey Hartman : ‘A Psychoanalytic Approach to “A Slumber did my Spirit Seal”’ | Sept 1- Sept 13 |
| 5 | Feminism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘Feminist paradigms’ Elaine Showalter : ‘Towards a Feminist Poetics’ Texts: “The Marble Vault in ‘To His Coy Mistress’” “Frailty, Thy Name is Hamlet : hamlet and Women” | Sept 15 – Sept 25 |
| 6 | Review/Feedback | Last week of Sept |
Methodology
The classes will follow lecture method. The lectures may draw upon visual material namely painting, films, advertisement and literary works. The lectures will not limit themselves to any particular discipline but rather explore ways of meaning making at the intersection of various disciplines. There will also be scope for student presentations.
Continuous Internal Assessment
Guidelines for Submission in case of written assignments:
· The written assignment should be based on your field research. The typed assignment should adhere to the following specifications: A4 size paper, 12 font size, 11/2 line space, font: Times New Roman, Book Antiqua, or Garamond
· Assignment details - your name, reg. no, class, semester, assignment code, name of the College, name of the teacher in-charge and date of submission- should be mentioned on the top right-hand side of the first page. Do not use a cover page.
· You are free to take the assignment beyond the expected criteria. Such efforts will be appreciated
· Those who are going to be out of town can submit the assignment online
· No late submission is entertained
· Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in rejection of assignment
· Remember to give reference at the end of your assignment of the books, articles, websites, and films that you have referred to. The following pattern may be followed: Author’s name with the last name first, a period, name of the book italicised, a period, Place of Publication, colon, name of publication, year of publication, page no
o E.g.: Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand, My Experiments with Truth,
o In case of a website give the complete URL of the site referred to along with the above details
o If you are directly lifting some lines quote them. If you are using some idea write it in your words but acknowledge it
For further information on bibliography writing please refer to MLA Handbook – Sixth Edition.
Note
Ø Attendance is compulsory for all the sessions.
Ø Please be punctual. If you are late, you will not be allowed to attend the class. However, should there be any serious issue, do discuss or bring it to the notice of the teaching facilitator concerned through the counsellors.
Ø We expect you to come to class having read the required essays. Failing to which you may not allowed to attend the classes.
Ø Please feel free to clarify your doubts, ask questions or give feedback in the class, department or through email.
Ø While emailing please mention your name, class and batch.
Ø If you are absent for any of the classes please get the help of your classmates to get updated, before you approach us for help.
Ø If you wish to make classroom presentation on any topic or idea within the framework of the syllabus, you will be given encouragement and guidance.
Ø Visit my blog for notices and announcements regularly (Anil)
Ø As far as possible avoid calling me on my mobile phone. (Anil)
Ø There is a brown book on my table in which you could leave me messages/complaints/requests/suggestions. (Anil)
Ø I am available in the department for any meeting or discussion between 4.05 and 4:30 pm. If you come at other times, you could leave messages/complaints/requests/ suggestions on my table. (Padma Kumar)
Ø All the best. Let us grow together.
CIA
CIA 2 - First week of July
CIA 3 - Last week of August
Anil Pinto - FEP
Padma Kumar - PSENG
Sudhamshu - JPENG
Anil Pinto
Email: anil.pinto at christuniversity dot in
Blog: http://anilpinto.blogspot.com
Padma Kumar M.M.
Email: padmakumar@christuniversity.in, padma.beyond@gmail.com
Sudhamshu
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Christ Universtiy reopening Dates
I year UG 15 June 2009
II year UG 6 June 2009
III year UG 5 June 2009
I MA 15 June 2009
II MA 5 June 2009
Have a wonderful academic year ahead
II year UG 6 June 2009
III year UG 5 June 2009
I MA 15 June 2009
II MA 5 June 2009
Have a wonderful academic year ahead
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