Understanding Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing - Hardcover

Kalaidjian, Walter; Roof, Judith; Watt, Stephen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0618405402 ISBN 13: 9780618405404

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 2003

Synopsis

Understanding Literature is an innovative anthology and technology package representing the next generation of literary pedagogy for introduction to literature and literature for composition courses. Built on a balanced foundation of canonical and nontraditional reading selections, this text includes discussions of the formal literary elements—and then goes a step further to integrate relevant and accessible coverage of contemporary criticism within each genre. This unique, integrated coverage of contemporary critical approaches (such as feminist theory, psychoytic theory, and postcolonial theory) offers students a richer, more engaging introduction to reading critically and writing about literature. Other anthologies offer minimal theoretical coverage in a separate chapter or appendix, typically sidestepping the larger issues the theories raise.
The integrated technology package, complete with CD-ROM and accompanying web site, takes advantage of multimedia resources to enhance the study of literature with visual aids, audio and video files, additional primary and secondary texts, and other materials that help place literature within the broader contexts of history and culture. Engaging, creative table of contents balances familiar authors and literary works with more adventurous and diverse selections, exposing students to a broad range of literature and providing instructors with great flexibility in designing their courses. Critical Perspectives offer concise, insightful discussions of how literary and cultural theories are used to explore meaning in literature. Throughout the anthology, casebooks, excerpts from clic and contemporary critical essays, and in-text discussions offer students accessible yet critical perspectives into how literary theory can facilitate a deeper understanding of literary texts. The fiction and drama sections feature brief in-text discussions and excerpts from literary critics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0618405402
• ISBN 13: 9780618405404
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 2384