In a sweeping movement from the Greek classification to contemporary African literature, this course explores the theoretical, philosophical, historical and ideological foundations of literary criticism and practice. It considers such received principles as the immanent history of literature, the nature of art, concepts of beauty in art, and the creative process in literature. The course guides students to reflect on the practice of art and criticism by considering a selection of canonical texts from Aristotle and Achebe to Tolstoy and Woolf.