Critical Theory (CRI) College of Letters & Science

CRI 101 — Introduction to Critical Theoretical Approaches to Literature & Culture (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to critical theory and its use for interpreting literary texts, film, and media forms in our present global culture.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Cross Listing: COM 141.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).

CRI 200A — Approaches to Critical Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Critical overview of modern theoretical texts (e.g., semiotics, hermeneutics, deconstruction, social and cultural critique, feminist theory, psychoanalysis).

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate students.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 200B — Problems in Critical Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Focused study of a particular critical theoretical approach, school or perspective. Topics may include but are not limited to: critical approaches to the study of literature, culture, film, historiography, visual culture, the body, and aesthetics.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate students.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs and with consent of instructor.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 200C — History of Critical Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Critical analysis and discussion of pre-20th century theories of literary and cultural criticism. Topics may include but are not limited to: ancient and early modern philosophy; nature and culture in the Renaissance; theories of Mimesis from antiquity to the Renaissance.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate students.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs and with consent of instructor.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 201 — Critical Theory Special Topics (4 units)

Course Description: Application of theoretical principles to one specific research topic. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor when topic differs.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 202 — Visual Culture (4 units)

Course Description: Analysis of image production in the contemporary world (photography, film, television, advertising, etc.) and their effects on individual subjectivities and collective social identities.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate student standing.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 298 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Directed group study.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate student standing.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

CRI 299 — Individual Study (1-12 units)

Course Description: Individual study.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor. Graduate student standing.

  • Learning Activities: Variable 3-36 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.