CFP: Introducing...Theory: Teaching Literary Theory to Undergraduates (5/10/05; SAMLA, 11/4/05-11/6/05)

CALL FOR PAPERS

Special Session: "Introducing...Theory: Teaching Literary Theory to
Undergraduates"
SAMLA 2005 Convention, November 4-6, Atlanta Geogia
Proposals due May 10, 2005

If, as Terry Eagleton claims in his retrospective critique After Theory
(2004), “the golden age of cultural theory is long past,” and it is “time to
take stock of where we are” (1-2), then part of that analysis must be aimed
at the institutionalization of theory in the undergraduate English
curriculum. Literary theory has become a staple of many undergraduate
English programs, but for students who encounter it packaged in introductory
survey courses, theory may seem divorced from the practice of literary
scholarship in general. Moreover, theory’s tumultuous history in the academy
may be erased, turned into a medley of “greatest hits.” Yet, in some ways
undergraduate students’ first experiences with literary theory restage the
epiphanies (and resistances) that occurred in the discipline in the latter
decades of the 20th century--that is, their grappling with deconstruction or
discovering feminism reenacts some of the institutional struggles and
discoveries that are “long past” for us. Thus, in this discussion session,
we seek to explore the possibilities and challenges of introducing theory to
a new generation of literary scholars.
We invite papers that address any aspect of literary theory in the
undergraduate curriculum. Possible topics might include:
        * teaching theory “after theory”
        * specific approaches to teaching theory (in general or a particular
theory)
        * theory as pedagogical praxis
        * ethical/political aspects of literary theory in the classroom
        * addressing resistance to theory (a.k.a. “Why can’t we just read
literature?”)
        * teaching theory as the history of literary studies
Because this is a discussion session, presentations should be limited to
10-15 minutes and should be geared toward fostering dialogue, posing
questions, inviting debate.

Please send 250-300 word proposals via email to Anna Maria Jones at
<amjones_at_pegasus.cc.ucf.edu> or Patricia Angley at <PatAngley_at_aol.com>, or
via mail: Department of English, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
32816-1346. Electronic submissions preferred.

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Received on Mon Apr 11 2005 - 20:33:56 EDT