Global Literary Theory

Professors: Cheshire, Denham, Ewington, Kietrys, Kuzmanovich, Parker
Associate Professors: González, Joubin, Zamir

The study of global literary theory (LIT) provides students with a theoretically informed, global and transnational understanding of literature and a firm grounding in major literary theories and schools. The Global Literary Theory (LIT) major and interdisciplinary minor support the study of literature, literary criticism, and literary and cultural theory beyond the borders of a single national or linguistic tradition or history. Such study requires not only that students study literary and cultural theory, but also that they explore literature in more than one language.

At Davidson, global literary theory relies on the teaching and scholarly expertise of faculty members from the departments and programs of Arab Studies, Chinese Studies, Classics (including Greek and Latin), English, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Latin American Studies, Russian Studies, as well as some faculty in the departments and programs of Anthropology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Theatre.

Adviser: Amanda Ewington

Global Literary Theory Major (A.B. Degree)

To major in Global Literary Studies, students must apply for the major through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies prior to spring break of their sophomore year. Application information can be found on the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies website.

Requirements

The major in Global Literary Theory requires 11 courses, including a two-semester thesis. Normally, a student may count no more than one independent study towards the major.

Two Required Courses

One Theory Course

Students take one of the following theory courses, or another similar course, with approval.

ENG 309 - Innovation Course
GSS 201 - Feminist and Queer Theories
REL 301 - Perspectives in the Study of Religion
PHI 216 - Philosophy of Language
SOC 372 - Feminist Theories
THE 383 - Contemporary Theatre and Performance: Trends in Theatre Studies
Or another theory course not listed here with approval of the Global Literary Theory adviser.

Six Literature Courses (200-level or above)

Three courses must be from any single literary tradition taken and taught in a language other than English.
Three courses must be from three other different literary traditions and may be taken in the original language or in translation.
Of these six literature courses,
- at least one must be on a specific genre or topic,
- at least one must be on a specific period,
- at least one must be on a specific author,
- at least one must be a seminar.

Thesis

Both courses are required.

Minor Requirements

The interdisciplinary minor requires six courses, as follows.

ENG 391 - Literary Criticism and Theory
one theory course from the approved list below
three literature courses from the approved list below, at least one of which must be in a second language [not in translation]
LIT 432 - Theory and Practice of Literary Translation (Seminar)

(prerequisite: one literature course in a second language [not in translation] beyond the 201 level; juniors and seniors only; or permission of the instructors)

Note: No more than one course may count towards both a student’s major and the Global Literary Theory interdisciplinary minor.

Theory Courses

GSS 201 - Feminist and Queer Theories
PHI 216 - Philosophy of Language
REL 301 - Perspectives in the Study of Religion
SOC 372 - Feminist Theories
SOC 373 - Contemporary Social Theory
THE 383 - Contemporary Theatre and Performance: Trends in Theatre Studies
Or another theory course not listed here with approval of the Global Literary Theory adviser.