Introduction to Literary Studies

Author: Valentin Kharizov (Russia), translated by Zhou Qichao et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: This book is a major work by Valentin Kharizov, a senior professor at the Department of Literary Theory of Moscow State University and an active scholar in Russian literary studies in the past 15 years. It follows his previous works, "A Textbook of Literary Theory" and "Introduction to Literary Studies." Published in 1999 with an initial print run of 10,000 copies, it was reprinted in 2000 and revised in 2002 and 2004. The "Introduction to Literary Studies" consists of an introduction and six chapters, covering topics such as "The Nature of Art," "Literature as an Art Form," "The Functions of Literature," "Literary Works," "Literary Genres and Literary Forms," and "The Laws of Literary Development." Structurally, it may seem unremarkable. However, upon closer reading, its distinctiveness and innovation become evident. Its primary feature lies in placing the exposition of literary theory within the context of its closely related humanities disciplines—such as aesthetics, social history, cultural studies, value philosophy, semiotics, linguistics, communication theory, theology, and mythology. The main innovations of this textbook are as follows: First, it breaks free from the mindset of factional struggles in academic discourse, adopting an open academic perspective. Second, as a textbook aimed at university students, graduate students, and college teachers, it dares to address the severe disconnect between literary theory teaching practices in higher education and the achievements of contemporary literary studies. It explores a series of topics, concepts, and terms missing from existing textbooks but crucial to modern literary theory, enriching the material to enhance the modernity of literary theory textbooks. Third, it significantly expands the discussion of the three major chains of literary ontology—author theory, work theory, and reader theory, particularly enriching the theory of literary works. This demonstrates a scholarly inclination toward deepening "theoretical poetics," providing clarifications and definitions of key terms in "theoretical poetics," which undoubtedly contributes to improving the scientific rigor of literary theory.