LTEN 281: PRACTICUM IN LITERARY RESEARCH AND CRITICISM
Lampert-Weissig, Spring 2012 Tues. 1-4, Lit. 355
Office: 347 Lit. Bldg. Phone 2-0204 llampert@ucsd.edu
Office hours: Tues. 10:00-11:30; Wed. 1-2 and 3-3:30
This course is an introduction to literary research methods with an eye to theory and the history of developments in the field of English literature, but with an emphasis on praxis. Several sessions will be designed specifically around library resources, including Mandeville special collections. Among the topics covered will be bibliography, archival research, the history of the book and digital humanities. Course assignments will center on a text chosen by the student. Readings for the course will have an emphasis on early literature and this course can qualify for the historical breadth requirement dependent on the text chosen by the student as a focus for the quarter.
This course MAY fulfill the historical breadth requirement dependent on the text chosen by the student for focus in the written assignments.
Texts:
Williams, William Proctor and Craig S. Abbott, An Introduction to Bibliographical and Textual Studies, 4th edition, New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009.
Gold, Matthew, ed. Debates in the Digital Humanities. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2012.
Harner, James. Literary Research Guide. 5th edition. New York: Modern Language Association, 2008.
Week One: April 3: No class
Week Two: April 10: Introduction: Critics, creators, archivists, researchers
Week Three: April 17: Creating a foundation
Discussion of readings and work with Humanities Librarian Rob Melton
Location: Room 276 (Library Classroom #2)
Read:
Meredith L. McGill and Andrew Parker, “The Future of the Literary Past,” PMLA, Volume 125, Number 4, October 2010, pp. 959–967
Williams and Abbott, pp. 1-56
Week Four: April 24: Creating a foundation for your research
Discussion of readings and work with Rob Melton, Humanities Librarian
Location: Room 276 (Library Classroom #2)
Read: Williams and Abbott, 71-126
Bill Brown, “Textual Materialism,” PMLA, Volume 125, Number 1, January 2010, pp. 24–28
Also recommended: Paul Benzon, “Lost in Transcription: Postwar Typewriting Culture, Andy Warhol’s Bad Book, and the Standardization of Error,” PMLA, Volume 125, Number 1, January 2010, pp. 92–106.
Week Five: May 1: Draft of Bibliography Due
Archives: theoretical, historical, creative and practical explorations
Visit by Professor Stephanie Jed
Explore http://ogs.ucsd.edu/financial-support/index.html and other funding links
Selection from Jennifer Summit, Memory’s Library,
pp. 1-15, 101-35; 234-9 (Book at Geisel reserve; selections on e-reserve)
Selection from Stephanie Jed,
Wings for Our Courage, pp. 1-78; notes pp. 201-32
Week Six: May 8: Archives at UCSD
Visit to Mandeville Special Collections with Heather Smedberg, Special Collections reference and instruction coordinator
Week Seven: May 15: Thinking about the History (and Future) of the Book
Visit by Dean Lerer, 1-2 pm.
Reading from the History of the Book special cluster from PMLA, January 2006.
Specific selections, TBA.
Week Eight: May 22: Digital Humanities Draft of Archive Précis due
Visit by Professor Elizabeth Losh, director, Academic Programs, Sixth College
Explore: http://virtualpolitik.org/
http://hastac.org/
http://www.humanitiesblast.com/manifesto/Manifesto_V2.pdf
Read: Gold, Debates in the Digital Humanities, Losh essay. Further readings TBA
Week Nine: May 29
Professional development, conferences and CFPs. Discussion of how to find venues, submit, present and publish research.
We will be sharing portfolio abstracts workshop style and discussing how to present and pitch projects.
You will need to have a draft of your abstract completed. You should also explore this website: http://www.phd2published.com/
Week Ten: June 6
I have left this session open on purpose for us to extend an earlier session, discuss further seminar-generated readings etc.
Final meeting (Time/location TBA): Presentations of final portfolios. Portfolios due today.