090138 VO Methodology and History of Science (Mod. Gr.) (2015S)

Until very recently Greek literary studies were predominantly devoted to formal analysis of text, matters of publishing and history of the book, and literary history. How has that changed in the past decade? This course will explore exciting new territory in the study of modern Greek literary texts, as has been impacted by more recent theoretical trends: cultural studies, new media studies, post-colonial theory and gender/queer studies.
We will briefly discuss the theories behind the innovations and the opportunities they provide for methodologically renewing an old field. We will then assess the conditions that fostered the shift from traditional criticism to more diverse approaches and their effects in the history of literary studies as a scientific area. Emphasis will be given to the political and the abandonment of aesthetics as a literary school of critical thought. The course will be rounded up with an examination of Cavafy as a case study that lends itself to the application of contemporary theory. The course, which will be taught in English and German, will include a museum visit followed by a discussion.