Designed for English majors, this course will focus on the question and practice of close reading texts. Questions we will cover include: What are texts and why are they important? Why do we need to close read texts? What are the varying criteria for and stakes of close reading of texts, particularly at different historical and national junctures? What, finally, may be produced from close reading texts? In order to address these questions, we will read a range of theories relevant to the stakes of interpreting texts, so that we may better understand how the practices of close reading have shaped cultural, historical and national identifications. We will also read a range of primary English-language works. These are cultural texts that have been either made more meaningful for us as a result of various interpretative reading practices, or that have helped readers to think more deeply about the implications of close reading as an intellectual habit or hobby. Course lectures and discussion sections will frame and clarify the ideas in and the connections among the various primary and secondary reading materials. Our general aim will be to gauge the implications of a few key debates about texts and their interpretation. By the end of the course, students should be able to define and weigh the impact of the various approaches to textual interpretation of English-language texts, both in discussion and in written work.

Please note: English 197, a writing section linked to this course, is required of all students enrolled in English 202.

COURSE MATERIALS: Benito Cereno (Herman Melville); The Intuitionist (Colson Whitehead); Course Packet of shorter readings (available at The Ave Copy Center)