This course introduces students to some of the most influential theoretical approaches to interpretation in Western culture, to the conceptual and historical debates about theory, and to the keywords used in these debates. Students will learn how to write and speak about theoretical texts and how to recognize the theoretical assumptions that underlie acts of interpretation. Theoretical approaches likely to be featured include: formalism; Marxism; psychoanalysis; gender and sexuality studies; structuralism and post-structuralism; postcolonial studies; critical race studies; new historicism and cultural materialism; cultural studies. This course fulfills the literary theory requirement for the major; no substitutions will be permitted. In order to preserve necessary seats for English majors, the course will be enrolled through the wait list.