Research Paper on:
Literary Theory and Criticism of the Future

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
necessity, include changes. Change is inevitable as mankind continues to also change. With these changes comes a new need from previously utilized mechanisms, foundations, organizations, and long held schools of  thought and study. So, too, is the area of literary studies undergoing an evolution of its own. What remains to be seen is whether it can adapt to the new  needs of the environment of this millennium, or if it will go the way of the dinosaur. Johnathan Culler, Professor of English at Cornell University, had this to say  about the utilization of literary theory in the Graduate English Program: "If we have anything worthwhile to teach, it ought to be made available to those who have already received  a B.A., as well as those who have not"(Culler 2002, pg 210). One of Cullers main arguments, the student could state, is that graduate programs have limited themselves, only, toward  educating the professional, which has effectively eliminated any sort of humanistic disciplines which is the very basis for the study of English literature. On the other hand, Culler offers the  counter-argument to this stating that many staunchly defend this course of action in that the M.A. ought to dedicate itself toward educating those going into the teaching profession. One has  to agree with the first position taken, however. Many who pursue a M.A. are not explicitly seeking a teaching degree, nor a teaching position. The M.A. degree is also sought  by many other professions, including Communications, Advertising, and Journalism. Therefore, one has to disagree with the assumption, the student will wish to state, that the only people who take M.A.  classes want to be teachers. It is this narrow mindedness, one has to think, which has backed upper level graduate coursework into a corner. Cullers purpose in this section