7. Literary Theory and Criticism
Three major subject guides are presented here. For other sources, see 7. Literary Theory and Criticism of the Comparative Literature research guide. Other surveys, subject dictionaries and encyclopedias, bibliographies and selected print and electronic journals are described here.
Selected internet sites are also listed in the Literary Theory link on Harvard's Department of Romance Languages and Literatures French Online Resources web page.
General Reference Sources
The Edinburgh encyclopaedia of modern criticism and theory / edited by Julian Wolfreys. Edinburgh Edinburgh University Press, 2002.
Widener: RR 3005.31.15
"Provides extensive coverage of related and contextual discourses, as well as critical overviews of the work of major figures responsible…for the development of those discourses in the now-related areas of philosophy, poetics, politics, aesthetics, linguistics and psychoanalysis." Three-part arrangement of the contents with collections of articles on Critical Discourse in Europe, Theories and Practice of Criticism in North America and Criticism, Literary and Cultural Studies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Glossary of terms.
The Johns Hopkins guide to literary theory and criticism / edited by Michael Groden, Martin Kreiswirth, and Imre Szeman. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins
University Press, 2005.
Widener: RR3005.31.13
Lamont: PN81 .J554 2005
Includes contributions from literary theorists, philosophers, political theorists, anthropologists, psychologists and psychoanalysts. Articles on postmodernism, postcolonial cultural studies and individual authors and theorists. International in scope. Useful entries on types of theory and criticism, such as French theory and criticism, feminist theory and criticism, etc.
Johns Hopkins Guide to literary theory and criticism
The online resource is searchable by keyword and browsable by an alphabetical list of entries, a listing of ideas, history and theory entries, a topics index and a name index. Each entry has selected hyper-links to other individuals' entries or related topics and themes and the text is updated more frequently than the print edition (above).
The Norton anthology of theory and criticism / Vincent B. Leitch, general editor.
1st ed. New York: Norton, 2001.
Widener: RR 3005.31.17; Widener: WID-LC PN86 .N67 2001
A wide-ranging collection of selections from 148 literary theorists and critics (arranged in chronological order), covering developments in theory and criticism over the centuries. An excellent introduction gives an overview of the field of theory through its main historical periods, movements and schools, issues and key terms.
