Methodologies in Literary Studies

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Methodologies in Literary Studies
Plan
1.Introduction - Syllabus
2.The aim and subject of literary science
3.General questions of the methodology of literary research
4.Methodology & Methods

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1. Syllabus «Methodologies of Literary approaches»
Course Description:
This course explores various literary methodologies and approaches that have shaped
literary analysis and criticism over time. You will engage with major theoretical frameworks
and trends, applying them to literary texts through lectures, practical exercises, and
individual research.
Course Objectives:
1.To understand and apply different literary theories and methodologies.
2.To critically analyze literary texts using various approaches.
3.To develop research and writing skills in literary studies.

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Methodology of literary studies
Brief content: Literary Studies is the study of written works of the
imagination, of which poetry, drama and narrative fiction constitute
today the most familiar types or genres. It might be more accurate to
describe it as a set of methods for examining the richness and diversity
of experience through unusual uses of language, through a language
that we recognize as different from everyday language and that
thereby aspires to produce a reflection of and on the world not
available to us otherwise.

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2. Aim of Literary Science:
Understanding Literature: The primary aim is to gain a deeper understanding of literary
works, including their meanings, themes, and structures. This involves analyzing texts to
uncover insights about their artistic, cultural, and intellectual dimensions.
Interpreting Texts: Literary science seeks to interpret and critique literary texts, offering
explanations of their significance, contexts, and implications. It aims to uncover layers of
meaning and understand how literature reflects and influences human experience and
society.
Exploring Literary Forms: The discipline examines various literary forms and genres,
studying their conventions, evolution, and impact. This includes poetry, prose, drama,
and emerging forms of digital and multimedia literature.
Contextualizing Literature: Another goal is to place literary works within their historical,
cultural, and social contexts. This involves studying how literature interacts with and
responds to the conditions of its time.
Developing Critical Perspectives: Literary science aims to develop and apply various
critical theories and perspectives to texts, such as feminism, postcolonialism,
psychoanalysis, and Marxism, to explore different dimensions of meaning and
interpretation.

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Object of Literary Science:
Literary Texts: The primary object of study is the literary text itself, including
its language, style, structure, and content. This includes canonical works,
contemporary literature, and texts from diverse cultures and traditions.
Authorial Intent and Biographical Context: Understanding the author’s
background, intentions, and personal experiences can provide insights into
the text and its creation.
Reader Reception: The ways in which readers interpret and respond to texts
is also a key focus. This includes studying reader responses, reception history,
and how meanings might shift over time or across different audiences.
Literary History and Tradition: Literary science examines the development of
literary traditions, movements, and genres over time. It looks at how
literature evolves and influences or is influenced by other works and
historical events.
Theoretical Approaches: Various critical theories and methodologies are also
a central object of study. These approaches help frame and shape
interpretations and analyses of literary texts.

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Research methodology is the foundation of any scientific inquiry. It guides
researchers on the best way to conduct their investigation, ensuring that the study
follows a well-structured process and yields valuable insights.
Defining research methodology
Research methodology is a systematic and organized process of planning, executing,
and analyzing research studies to gather information on specific questions. It refers
to “how” you can design your study to generate reliable results that address the
objective.
It includes a set of principles and practices that determine the methods you can
employ in your research process.
→ What type of data do you want to collect?
→ Who should you collect the data from?
→ How to gather reliable data?
→ How or what methods should be used for data analysis?

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Literary methodologies are structured approaches or systems of
analysis used to examine and interpret literary works. They provide
frameworks for understanding various aspects of literature, including
themes, language, form, and cultural context.
Purpose:
Literary methodologies help scholars and readers engage with texts in a
systematic way, offering diverse perspectives and insights into the
meaning and significance of literary works.

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History of Literary Methodologies
1. Classical Approaches
1.1. Aristotle’s Poetics (4th Century BCE)
Overview: Aristotle’s "Poetics" is one of the earliest works to systematically
analyze literary forms. Aristotle introduced key concepts such as mimesis
(imitation of life), catharsis (emotional purification), and the structure of tragedy.
Impact: Aristotle’s ideas laid the groundwork for classical literary criticism,
focusing on the formal elements of narrative and drama, such as plot, character,
and diction.
1.2. Horace’s Ars Poetica (1st Century BCE)
Overview: Horace’s "Ars Poetica" offered practical advice on writing poetry and drama,
emphasizing the importance of decorum and unity in literary composition.
Impact: Horace’s work contributed to the development of literary theory, particularly in terms of
genre conventions and the role of the poet.

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2. Medieval and Renaissance Criticism
2.1. Scholasticism (12th-17th Century)
Overview: Scholasticism was a method of critical thought that sought to
reconcile classical philosophy with Christian theology. It emphasized the use of
reason and logic in interpreting texts.
Impact: Scholastic methods influenced the way literature was interpreted in
terms of moral and theological themes.
2.2. Renaissance Humanism (14th-17th Century)
Overview: Humanism emphasized the study of classical texts and the revival of
classical ideals. Humanists focused on the inherent value of literature as a
reflection of human experience and moral values.
Impact: Humanism revived classical literary forms and methods, encouraging a
return to ancient texts and an emphasis on humanistic values in literary
interpretation.

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3. The Emergence of Modern Literary Theory
3.1. Neoclassicism (17th-18th Century)
Overview: Neoclassical criticism revisited classical principles of literature,
emphasizing order, clarity, and restraint. It promoted the idea that literature
should adhere to established rules and standards.
Impact: Neoclassicism reinforced the importance of form and structure in
literary analysis, influencing subsequent literary criticism.
3.2. Romanticism (late 18th-19th Century)
Overview: Romanticism shifted the focus from formal rules to individual
expression, imagination, and emotional depth. It celebrated the personal and
the subjective in literature.
Impact: Romantic criticism valued originality and the emotional experience of
both the writer and the reader, leading to a more personal and introspective
approach to literary analysis.

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3.3. Formalism/New Criticism (early 20th Century)
Overview: Formalism, and later New Criticism, emphasized close
reading and the analysis of a text’s form and structure. It rejected
historical and biographical contexts in favor of focusing solely on the
text itself.
Impact: These methodologies advanced the study of literary
techniques, symbols, and themes, promoting a focus on the inherent
qualities of texts rather than external factors.

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4. Theoretical Developments in the 20th Century
• Structuralism (1950s-1970s)
• Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction (1960s-1980s)
• Marxist Criticism (20th Century)
• Feminist Criticism (1970s-Present)
• Postcolonial Criticism (1980s-Present)
• Queer Theory (1990s-Present)
• Ecocriticism (1990s-Present)
• Reader-Response Theory (1970s-Present) and some others

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Contemporary Trends and Future Directions
5.1. Interdisciplinary Approaches
Overview: Contemporary literary studies increasingly draw on insights
from fields such as psychology, sociology, cultural studies, and
environmental science.
Impact: These interdisciplinary approaches provide new perspectives
and methodologies for analyzing literature, expanding the scope of
literary analysis.

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Digital Humanities
Overview: The integration of digital tools and methods into literary
studies, including text analysis, digital archives, and computational
methods.
Impact: Digital humanities offer new ways to analyze and visualize
literary data, transforming traditional methodologies and enabling
innovative research practices.

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Global Perspectives
Overview: There is a growing emphasis on global and transnational
approaches to literature, examining how texts engage with global
issues and cross-cultural exchanges.
Impact: This trend broadens the scope of literary studies, incorporating
diverse voices and perspectives from around the world.

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• This extended overview highlights the evolution of literary
methodologies from classical times to contemporary approaches,
reflecting changes in intellectual trends, cultural contexts, and critical
perspectives. Each methodology has contributed to the richness and
diversity of literary analysis, offering various tools and frameworks for
understanding literature.

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3. The general questions on methodologies of literary approaches
When exploring methodologies in literary approaches, there are several
general questions that can guide the analysis and understanding of
literature.
1.What is the theoretical framework being used?
• What specific literary theory or critical approach (e.g., Marxism, feminism,
psychoanalysis, post-colonialism) is being applied?
• How does this framework shape the interpretation of the text?
2.What are the key concepts and terms of the methodology?
• What are the central ideas or terminology of the approach?
• How do these concepts help in analyzing the text?

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3.How does the methodology interpret the text's meaning?
What are the main themes, symbols, or motifs highlighted by this approach?
How does the methodology influence the understanding of the text’s meaning or
message?
4.What is the historical or cultural context of the methodology?
How did this approach develop historically?
What cultural or intellectual movements influenced this methodology?
5.How does the methodology address issues of authorial intent?
To what extent does the approach consider the author's intentions and biographical
context?
How significant is the author's background in interpreting the text?
6.What role does reader response play in this methodology?
How does this approach consider the reader's role in interpreting the text?
Does it emphasize the reader's personal experience or the social and historical context
of the readership?

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7.How does the methodology handle textual evidence?
What kind of textual evidence is prioritized (e.g., language, structure, historical
references)?
How is this evidence used to support the analysis?
8.What are the strengths and limitations of this approach?
What are the methodological strengths that make it useful for certain types of
texts or questions?
What are the potential limitations or criticisms of this approach?
9.How does the methodology engage with other literary theories?
Does the approach interact with or challenge other critical theories?
Are there interdisciplinary elements that influence its application?
10.What are the methodological assumptions?
What underlying assumptions does the methodology make about literature,
culture, or human nature?
How do these assumptions impact the analysis?

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3.The terms "literary methods" and "methodologies in literature" are
often used interchangeably, but they can refer to distinct aspects of
literary study. Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Literary Methods:
Literary methods generally refer to specific techniques or approaches
used in the analysis and interpretation of literary texts. These are the
practical tools or strategies that scholars and critics employ tThe
terms "literary methods" and "methodologies in literature" are often
used interchangeably, but they can refer to distinct aspects of literary
study.
Literary methods can be thought of as the
«how» of literary analysis— «how» one goes about studying a text.

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Examples of literary methods include:
Close Reading: A detailed and careful analysis of a text's language,
structure, and meaning. It focuses on the nuances of word choice,
syntax, and literary devices.
Formalism/New Criticism: Analyzing a text based solely on its formal
elements, such as structure, style, and symbolism, without considering
external contexts like author biography or historical background.
Narrative Analysis: Examining the structure of a narrative, including
plot, character development, and point of view, to understand how the
story is told and its effects on the reader.
Textual Criticism: The study of textual variants and manuscript
traditions to establish the most accurate version of a text.

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Methodologies in literature, on the other hand, refer to broader
theoretical frameworks or systems of thought that guide the study and
interpretation of literary works. These methodologies represent the
"why" and "wherefore" of literary analysis—why certain approaches
are taken and how they are justified within larger theoretical
paradigms.

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Examples of literary methodologies include:
Structuralism: Focuses on understanding the underlying structures that
shape literary texts and cultural phenomena. It examines how elements
of literature function within a system of language and signs.
Poststructuralism: Challenges the idea of fixed meanings and
emphasizes the fluidity and instability of language and interpretation. It
explores concepts such as deconstruction and intertextuality.
Feminist Theory: Analyzes literature through the lens of gender and
explores how texts reflect, reinforce, or challenge gender norms and
inequalities.
Psychoanalytic Criticism: Applies theories from psychology, particularly
those of Freud and Lacan, to analyze characters, motives, and symbolic
meanings in literature (and many others).

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Key Differences:
Scope:
Literary Methods: Typically involve specific techniques for analyzing texts.
Methodologies: Encompass broader theoretical perspectives that influence how
texts are interpreted and understood.
Application:
Literary Methods: Are often applied directly to texts, focusing on detailed
analysis and interpretation.
Methodologies: Provide the overarching frameworks or theories that guide the
selection and application of specific methods.

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Focus:
Literary Methods: Concentrate on the practical aspects of reading and analyzing
literature.
Methodologies: Concern themselves with the theoretical underpinnings and
justifications for various approaches to literature.
In summary, literary methods are the specific techniques used in
analyzing texts, while methodologies in literature represent the
broader theoretical frameworks that inform and justify these
techniques. Both are essential to literary study but operate at
different levels of abstraction and application.

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SIW 1. Video - Khan Academy - "Introduction to Literary Theory": Khan
Academy offers concise video explanations on different topics,
including literary theory. While not always specific to
methodologies, these videos provide a solid foundation in literary
analysis –
Write a review of the video
2. Find the answers to The general questions on methodologies of
literary approaches ( See: Point 3.( Prezi)).
3. Choose a book by your favourite British or American writer for
analyzing different methods and methodologies used.