ENGLISH 692A – The Body in Literature & Theory
Summer 2012 [June 4-29]
8:30-10:45 Rarick 360
Dr. Pauline Scott
Office: 371 Rarick
Office Hours: 11-12 M-TH
pmscott3@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-4285
Course Description
Since the 1970’s “body criticism” has emerged as a growing sub-field of critical theory and cultural
studies. This course will engage students in discussion of how this area of inquiry may be brought to
bear in illuminating literary works by Kafka, Bradbury, Morrison, Winterson, and Collins. The course will
be divided into four areas of critical interrogation: The Body as Text, Race and the Body, The
(Un)gendered Body, and The Body as Spectacle.
Required Texts
Selected stories by Franz Kafka (available online at http://www.kafka-online.info/works.htm)
Bradbury, Ray. The Illustrated Man and Other Stories. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, Reissue
edition, October 11, 2011 (ISBN 978-0062079978)
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press, Reprint edition, 2010 (ISBN 978-0439023528)
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Vintage, 2007 (ISBN 978-0307278449)
Winterson, Jeanette. Written on the Body. Vintage, 1994 (ISBN 978-0679744474)
Additional critical readings by Susan Bordo, Judith Butler, Peter Brooks, Michel Foucault, Sander Gilman,
and bell hooks will be made available as handouts and/or on Electronic Reserve through Forsyth Library.
Objectives
1. Students will be able to recognize and effectively apply critical terms associated with body
theory.
2. Students will be able to identify elements of literary texts that relate to the areas of inquiry
delineated above.
3. Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze and interpret literary texts, using the theories
discussed in class.
4. Students will effectively employ research skills and correct documentation in their written work.
5. Students will produce a well-researched and supported work of literary criticism.
Requirements and Evaluation
1) Attendance and Participation (25%): Students will be required to attend all classes and
participate fully in class discussion. In order to receive a grade of “A” students must consistently
demonstrate their familiarity with the assigned readings and prior class discussions via the
contribution of substantial comments and thoughtful questions. Regular contributions of the
same will result in a participation grade of “B” and occasional or less substantial contributions
will receive grades ranging from “C” to “U” for participation. Please note that more than one
absence will likely result in a reduction of your letter grade for the course.
2) Midterm Exam (20%): The midterm exam will consist of two essays, one take-home and one inclass. Take home essays will test students’ knowledge of the critical readings and vocabulary,
whereas the in-class essay will be an applied critical analysis of a text provided.
3) Research Proposal and Working Bibliography (15%): Students will develop and submit a onepage research proposal on a topic approved by the Instructor. Guidelines for the assignment
will be made available as a handout on Blackboard.
4) Research Paper and Presentation (40%): These papers will represent an effective analysis of a
literary text or texts utilizing the critical methodologies discussed in class. Topics will be
approved in advance by the Instructor. An oral presentation on the paper, worth 10% of the
assignment grade, will be given in the final week of class. For undergraduate students, the
paper must be 8-10 pages (following the guidelines provided regarding format and
documentation requirements) and will incorporate no less than 3 critical sources. For graduate
students, the paper must be 13-18 pages (following the guidelines provided regarding format
and documentation requirements) and will incorporate no less than 5 critical sources. These
papers must represent original arguments supported and augmented by the use of critical and
literary citations. Research sources must be approved in advance by the Instructor and follow
the guidelines given in your assignment handout. All essays will be submitted to SafeAssign on
Blackboard no later than the due date given. For those in the summer MA program, the
research essay is due by December 7, 2012 and will be submitted directly to Dr. Scott.
University Policies and Procedures
Academic Integrity: University policy regarding academic honesty may be found on the FHSU Website
under the Office of the Provost at
http://www.fhsu.edu/departments.aspx?id=12884907213&terms=academic%20dishonesty
Students found to be in violation of university policy on academic honesty will receive a failing grade for
the course.
Accommodations: Students needing special assistance should contact the Kelly Center Disability
Student Services Office at http://www.fhsu.edu/disability/
Early IQ Program: Fort Hays State University has recently acquired and is in the process of implementing
Early IQ, an early alert and intervention program designed to help identify FHSU students who may need
extra help in achieving academic success. Early IQ is for all students, and any student referred to the
program will be contacted through their Scatcat email. If you have questions or a need for further
information, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 785-628-4277 or stop by Sheridan Hall, room
208.
Tentative Course Schedule:
Please note that students are required to have assigned reading done prior to the discussion dates
indicated.
Week 1: The Body as Text
Monday, June 4: First class meeting – Introduction to the course and preliminary discussion of
theory/Specific reading assignments given for week 1.
Tuesday – Thursday, June 5-7: Discussion of assigned critical texts and stories by Kafka and Bradbury
Friday, June 8: Research/Conference
Week 2: Race and the Body
Monday - Thursday, June 11-14: Discussion of Morrison, The Bluest Eye and assigned critical reading.
[Midterm Exam take-home question given on Thursday, June 14].
Friday, June 15: Research/Conference
Week 3: The (Un) gendered Body
Monday, June 18: In-class Midterm. Take home question due at the beginning of the period.
Tuesday – Thursday, June 19-21: Discussion of Winterson, Written on the Body and assigned critical
reading.
Friday, June 22: Research/Conference
Week 4: The Body as Spectacle
Monday – Wednesday, June 25-27: Discussion of Collins, The Hunger Games and assigned critical
reading.
Thursday, June 28: Presentations
Friday, June 29: Research/Conference
**Research papers due prior to the last day of the Summer Semester (July 27, 2012)**