How can we introduce theory, make it accessible to our students while remaining faithful to its nuance and complexity? Does teaching theory require a different set of pedagogical approaches? Or is it more effective to treat it as coplanar with “primary” literary and cultural texts? Finally, how might we prepare students to critique the insights of theory, to understand these texts as likewise open to the questions and challenges we bring to literary texts while at the same time encouraging generous reading practices? This workshop comes out of a concern with helping undergraduates approach theoretical material in the classroom as well as with teaching them to engage productively with criticism. Join us for conversation with Prof. Paul Saint-Amour as we think through these concerns and exchange ideas about our own classroom practices.All graduate students are welcome. This event grows out of concerns in the English department and so may be most useful to students in related fields.

Counts toward the CETLI Teaching Certificate.