Literary Theory: From Formalism to Post-Structuralism

Master Formalism, Structuralism & Post-Structuralism to critically analyze literary texts and uncover deeper meanings.

What you'll learn
- Apply Formalist close reading techniques to analyze meter, imagery, and symbolism in prose and poetry.
- Use structuralist methods to identify signifier-signified systems and binary oppositions in literary texts.
- Perform deconstructive readings to uncover textual instabilities and challenge logocentric assumptions.
- Map narrative structures with Propp's functions and Todorov's equilibrium model to dissect story dynamics.

Requirements
- Basic understanding of literature and critical reading skills, proficiency in English, and access to your own literary texts for analysis; no prior theory background required.

Description
Unlock the tools and frameworks that have shaped modern literary criticism in this comprehensive course on Formalism, Structuralism, and Post-Structuralism. Across five chapters and over thirty engaging lessons, you will gain a deep understanding of how critics and scholars analyze the inner workings of texts, uncover hidden codes, and challenge established structures of meaning. Whether you are a literature student, aspiring critic, or passionate reader, this course will equip you with techniques to engage with literary works at a profound level.

In the Formalism section, you will explore the historical emergence of this movement, master close reading techniques, and apply tools such as meter analysis, imagery decoding, and defamiliarization to dissect poetic and prose texts. You will study the pioneering work of Russian Formalists like Shklovsky, Tynianov, and Jakobson, as well as the New Critics who championed textual autonomy. Through guided exercises, you will learn to focus on language, structure, and stylistic devices without relying on external context.

The Structuralism module introduces you to Saussure's semiotic model, Levi-Strauss's myth analyses, and narratological approaches by Propp and Todorov. You will identify signifier-signified relationships, map binary oppositions in folklore, and construct morphological diagrams to reveal underlying narrative functions. Through case studies and quizzes, you will develop the ability to decode cultural codes, deconstruct mythologies, and perform rigorous structural analyses that highlight the architecture of meaning within any text.

Moving into Post-Structuralism, you will engage with the work of Derrida, Barthes, Foucault, Kristeva, and Butler to understand how meaning is destabilized and how power relations shape discourse. Learn to apply deconstructive reading strategies to locate aporias and paradoxes, examine the 'death of the author' and intertextual resonances, and trace gender performativity and semiotic chora in modern and classic works. This section challenges you to embrace textual openness and the multiplicity of interpretations.

By the end of this course, you will be able to synthesize insights across these three key movements, critically evaluate their strengths and limitations, and apply combined methodologies for sophisticated literary analysis. You will complete practical assignments, engage in interactive discussions, and receive curated reading lists for further exploration. With downloadable resources, case studies, and real-world examples, this course offers a structured path from foundational theory to advanced critical practice.

Enroll now to transform your approach to literary texts and join a community of learners passionate about theory and analysis. Whether your goal is to excel in academic research, enhance teaching strategies, or simply deepen your appreciation of literature, this course delivers expert guidance, actionable techniques, and a roadmap for ongoing study. Start unraveling the complex relationships between form, structure, and meaning today.

Who this course is for:
- Ideal for literature students, academics, educators, and readers seeking to master Formalism, Structuralism, and Post-Structuralism for more rigorous and nuanced analysis of literary texts.
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