Module Code - Title:
EH4125
-
FEMINIST LITERARY THEORY
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To introduce students to a range of writing by women and to demonstrate how understandings of literature are marked by gender. To explore critical views of the institution of literature and to produce models of the reading and writing processes from a feminist perspective.
Syllabus:
This course will combine feminist theory and the analysis of literary texts. We will consider five main areas of feminist theory and criticism: the concept of a 'feminine aesthetic'; the contribution of psychoanalytic theory to understandings of gender, identity and writing; the relationship between æraceÆ, ethnicity and gender in literature; questions of 'gender trouble' and sexuality; and postmodern feminist perspectives as they apply to literary texts. Throughout the course, theoretical approaches will be tested in relation to a range of womenÆs writing. Primary texts will be drawn from English language traditions in the first instance, although writings from other language traditions may be included depending on staff expertise.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
1.Recognise and identify central arguments in feminist literary theory
2.Demonstrate an awareness of the distinctions between different approaches in feminist literary theory
3.Construct a critical framework that offers a feminist approach to an analysis of literature
4.Apply this critical framework to an analysis of a range of texts on the course, in both essay and presentation format
5.Critique the relationship between gender, race and ethnicity in literary texts
6. Discuss the significance of gender and sexuality in literary texts
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will receive a two hour lecture each week and will also attend a one hour tutorial each week. Students will have experience of both a large group learning environment in their weekly lectures and also benefit from small group tutorial teaching.
Prime Texts:
Jean Rhys (2000)
Wide Sargasso Sea
, Penguin
Kate Chopin (2000)
The Awakening
, Oxford World Classics
Robyn R. Warhol and Diane Price Herndl (1997)
Feminisms: An Anthology of Literary Theory and Criticism
, Palgrave Macmillan
Ruth Robbins (2000)
Literary Feminisms
, St Martin's Press
Toni Morrison (1999)
The Bluest Eye
, Vintage
Other Relevant Texts:
Shari Benstock (2002)
A Handbook of Literary Feminisms
, Oxford UP
Maggie Humm (1995)
Practising Feminst Theory
, Edinburgh UP
Sara Mills and Lynne Pearce (1998)
Feminist Readings, Feminists Reading
, Harvester Wheatsheaf
Stevi Jackson and Jackie Jones (1998)
Contemporary Feminist Theories
, Edinburgh UP
Maggie Humm (2003)
The Dictionary of Feminist Theories
, Edinburgh UP
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH AND HISTORY
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN NEW MEDIA AND ENGLISH
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF LAWS (LAW PLUS)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
sinead.mcdermott@ul.ie