General Information about the Course

Course Code:	IKU-Q-221
Course Title:	Introduction to Literary Theory
Course Semester:	2. Semester / Spring
Course Credits:	Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS 1 0 1 1
Language of instruction:	EN
Prerequisite of the course:	No
Ders İş Deneyimini Gerektiriyor mu?:	No
Type of course:	University Elective
Level of course:	Bachelor TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree QF-EHEA:First Cycle EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree
Course Lecturer(s):	Deniz KARACA
Course Assistants:

Purpose and content of the course

Course Objectives:	This course introduces students to the major theoretical movements in modern literary studies, providing them with the analytical tools to engage with literature from various critical perspectives. Covering key approaches such as Formalism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Feminism, Postcolonialism, and emerging fields like Posthumanism and Digital Humanities, the course explores how literary theory shapes interpretation, meaning, and cultural discourse. Students will critically examine the assumptions, methodologies, and implications of each theoretical framework while applying them to literary and cultural texts.
Course Objective:	By the end of this course, students will be able to: • Understand the historical development and key concepts of major literary theories. • Apply different theoretical lenses to analyze literary and cultural texts. • Critically engage with theoretical debates and assess their relevance to contemporary literature and society. • Develop coherent, well-supported arguments in written and oral discussions. • Recognize the interdisciplinary connections between literary theory and broader cultural, political, and philosophical issues.
Mode of Delivery:	E-Learning

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge (Described as Theoritical and/or Factual Knowledge.)

1) Identify and describe key literary theories and their historical developments.

2) Apply theoretical concepts to the analysis of literary and cultural texts.

3) Critically evaluate different literary theories and their implications.

4) Compare and contrast theoretical approaches, recognizing their strengths and limitations.

5) Develop well-structured, theory-informed arguments in written and oral discourse.

Skills (Describe as Cognitive and/or Practical Skills.)

Competences (Described as "Ability of the learner to apply knowledge and skills autonomously with responsibility", "Learning to learn"," Communication and social" and "Field specific" competences.)

Course Topics

Week	Subject
Related Preparation	Pekiştirme
1)	Week 1: Introduction to Literary Theory Topics: • What is literary theory? • Overview of major theoretical movements
2)	Week 2: Formalism & New Criticism Topics: • Key figures: Viktor Shklovsky, Cleanth Brooks, W.K. Wimsatt • Close reading and the concept of "the text itself" • Strengths and limitations
3)	Week 3: Structuralism Topics: • Key figures: Ferdinand de Saussure, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Roland Barthes • The role of language, signs, and binary oppositions in literature • Application to literary texts
4)	Week 4: Post-Structuralism & Deconstruction Topics: • Key figures: Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, Roland Barthes • "The Death of the Author" and textual instability • Deconstruction as a reading strategy
5)	Week 5: Psychoanalytic Criticism Topics: • Key figures: Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan • The unconscious, desire, and the mirror stage • Literary applications: dreams, repression, and symbolic interpretation
6)	Week 6: Marxist Literary Theory Topics: • Key figures: Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Raymond Williams • Ideology, class struggle, and base-superstructure • Literature as a reflection of economic and social conditions
7)	Week 7: Feminist & Gender Criticism Topics: • Key figures: Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, bell hooks • The construction of gender and sexuality in literature • Intersectionality and feminist readings of texts
8)	Week 8: Midterm Exam
9)	Week 9: Postcolonial Theory Topics: • Key figures: Edward Said, Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Spivak • Orientalism, hybridity, and subaltern studies • Representation of the "Other" in literature
10)	Week 10: Reader-Response Theory Topics: • Key figures: Wolfgang Iser, Stanley Fish, Louise Rosenblatt • The role of the reader in meaning-making • Gaps, interpretive communities, and subjective reading experiences
11)	Week 11: New Historicism & Cultural Materialism Topics: • Key figures: Stephen Greenblatt, Michel Foucault, Raymond Williams • Power, discourse, and the relationship between history and literature • Literature as a product of cultural and ideological contexts
12)	Week 12: Ecocriticism & Environmental Humanities Topics: • Key figures: Lawrence Buell, Cheryll Glotfelty • Literature and the environment: nature writing and ecological perspectives • Anthropocene and literature’s role in environmental awareness
13)	Week 13: Posthumanism Topics: • Key figures: Donna Haraway, N. Katherine Hayles, Rosi Braidotti • The dissolution of the human/non-human boundary • AI, cyborgs, and transhumanism in literature
14)	Week 14: Digital Humanities & Media Theory Topics: • Key figures: Lev Manovich, Katherine Hayles • How technology and digital media affect literary analysis • Hypertext, interactivity, and digital textuality
15)	Week 15: Wrap-Up Session Topics: • Reflection on key theories and their interconnections • Discussion on practical applications of literary theory • Open Q&A and final thoughts on the course
References: Barry, P. (2017). Beginning theory: An introduction to literary and cultural theory (4th ed.). Manchester University Press. Castle, G. (Ed.). (2013). The literary theory handbook. Wiley-Blackwell. Rivkin, J., & Ryan, M. (Eds.). (2017). Literary theory: An anthology (3rd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. Handouts and notes

Ders - Program Öğrenme Kazanım İlişkisi

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Average	3 Highest

Ders Öğrenme Kazanımları	1	2	3	4	5
Program Outcomes
1) Knows the theories and models that are the basis of professional practices.
2) Acts in accordance with nursing values and ethical principles.
3) Demonstrate skills appropriate for nursing roles.
4) Nursing uses the care process effectively and gives place to evidence-based practices in care.
5) Acts in accordance with the laws, regulations and legislation related to nursing practices.
6) It uses information and maintenance technologies.
7) Takes part in at least one of the scientific research, project and innovation-oriented studies.
8) It takes an active role in the protection, development and maintenance of the health of the individual, family and society.
9) The intra-disciplinary and interdisciplinary team works in cooperation.
10) Communicates effectively with the individual, family, society and colleagues.
11) Uses critical thinking and problem solving approach in nursing practice.
12) Uses leadership skills in nursing-oriented work areas.
13) Communicates effectively using at least one foreign language and monitors developments in the field.	3	3	3	3	3
14) It continues its professional development by adopting lifelong learning.	2	2	2	2	2

Course Teaching, Learning Methods

Q & A
Case Problem Solving/ Drama- Role/ Case Management
Laboratory
Quantitative Problem Solving
Fieldwork
Group Study / Assignment
Individual Assignment
WEB-based Learning
Internship
Practice in Field
Project Preparation
Report Writing
Seminar
Supervision
Social Activity
Occupational Activity
Occupational Trip
Application (Modelling, Design, Model, Simulation, Experiment et.)
Reading
Thesis Preparation
Field Study
Student Club and Council Activities
Other
Logbook
Interview and Oral Conversation
Research
Watching a movie
Bibliography preparation
Oral, inscribed and visual knowledge production
Taking photographs
Sketching
Mapping and marking
Reading maps
Copying textures
Creating a library of materials
Presentation

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance		% 0
Laboratory		% 0
Application		% 0
Practice Exam		% 0
Quizzes		% 0
Homework Assignments		% 0
Presentation		% 0
Project		% 0
Special Course Internship (Work Placement)		% 0
Field Study		% 0
Article Critical		% 0
Article Writing		% 0
Module Group Study		% 0
Brainstorming		% 0
Role Playing + Dramatizing		% 0
Out of Class Study		% 0
Preliminary Work, Reinforcement		% 0
Application Repetition etc.		% 0
Homework (reading, writing, watching movies, etc.)		% 0
Project Preparation + Presentation		% 0
Report Preparation + Presentation		% 0
Presentation / Seminar Preparation + Presenting		% 0
Oral examination		% 0
Midterms	1	% 40
Final	1	% 60
Practical Final		% 0
Report Submission		% 0
Bütünleme		% 0
Bütünleme Pratik		% 0
Kanaat Notu		% 0
Committee		% 0
Yazma Ödev Dosyası		% 0
Portfolio		% 0
Take-Home Exam		% 0
Logbook		% 0
Participation		% 0
Discussion		% 0
total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 40
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 60
total		% 100

Calculation of Workload and ECTS Credits

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	14	14
Laboratory
Application
Practice Exam
Special Course Internship (Work Placement)
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class
Article Critical
Article Writing
Module Group Study
Brainstorming
Role Playing + Dramatizing
Out-of-Class Study (Pre-study, Reinforcement, Practice Review, etc.)	14	14
Homework (reading, writing, watching movies, etc.)
Project Preparation + Presentation
Report Preparation + Presentation
Presentation / Seminar Preparation + Presenting
Oral examination
Preparing for Midterm Exams	2	2
MIDTERM EXAM (Visa)	2	2
Preparing for the General Exam
GENERAL EXAM (Final)
Participation
Discussion
Portfolio
Take-Home Exam
Logbook
Total Workload		32
ECTS (30 saat = 1 AKTS )		1