I teach Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism courses in the English Department at National Chenghi University both to undergraduates and for the graduate school (while the general theme and subject matter is similar, the actual context for the courses at the two levels is very different).

Occassionally, I blather on about my own take on this or that Critical Theory as applied to this or that novel, film, comic book, game, or whatever.

This particular entry in the blog is reserved for the round table discussion for my students this semester (Fall, 2004) so they can share their own takes and ideas.

Each week, in the classes, we approach one or more isms or theories . . . students are asked to post at least one entry each week on a piece of literature, film, comic book, game, architecture, or whatever . . . and . . . discuss how a critic using one of the topics of the week might approach the piece.

Student posts should be made within one week of the class day upon which a topic is covered (entry posts should be made within one week – prior or after). Be sure to leave your full name in the comments as well.

While folks may comment upon another person’s entry or chosen piece as part of the round table discussion, they must choose a piece that no one else has discussed for the assigned weekly entry (preferably with links to the piece online).

No two students may discuss the same literary work . . . so . . . first come, first served. Students may not use the piece that we discuss in class as their entry post, although they are welcome to discuss it here.

While this Round Table page is intended for students in my courses, others are free to participate so long as they follow the same schedule we follow and so long as they are polite in their contributions.

I will announce new topics to be posted in the “comments” section of the page as we approach them. Typically, two to three toipics are “open” at any one time.