Help me title my course?

[bdon19]

I'm currently working on a self-designed independent study course in theory. A theory course is typically offered every other year at my school, but this time they skipped an extra year, so I wouldn't have a chance to take the course before graduating. The course that is usually offered is called "Contemporary Critical Theory," but for the independent study I have to create my own course title. I don't think I want to keep the same title (as my course won't be exactly the same), but I really have no idea what to call it. My professor told me it's all up to me. We're going to read a lot of the same works that he typically teaches in the course, but it will be a bit more designed towards me and my interests.

I was thinking it might be best to go in the direction of a "Survey of Critical Theory" or something like that, but I'm not sure. Anyone have any ideas? I don't want it to be a necessarily "flashy" title or anything, but I just can't think of anything that sounds right. Calling it a "survey" sounds, to me, less impressive than it actually is. I don't want to keep the original course title but can't think of anything else. And I need to turn in a form like by the end of today so I'm officially registered for the course!! So any help would be appreciated.

[runonsentence]

I did this too, with an independent study as an undergrad. The most important thing, IMO, is to pick a title that will be self-explanatory on a transcript (that is, it will give a clear picture of what you did in the course). Also, take a look at a copy of your transcript if you can: how many characters does it allow for course titles? It may be best to pick something short so that it doesn't get cut off.

I don't think you should call it a survey, either. For one thing, that sounds really, really broad, and for another I'm not sure if it's accurate? (As the course is primarily made up of contemporary theory, it sounds like.)

You mentioned that the content would be designed around your interests. What kinds of interests are going to determine what you add/subtract from what your professor usually teaches?

[truckbasket]

Is it thematic at all? runonsentence is right that you shouldn't term it a survey if you're not looking at the expansive history or the progression of theory (i.e. 500BC onwards) unless you just stick with the original "contemporary." With that said, having something that suggests "history" of "survey" would look good on the transcript alongside say a more specialized focus. What texts / theorists / schools are you looking at? If you're using an anthologized or summarized sources (Norton / Parker / Barry) it might be hard to focus on one area, but if you're reading primary material, you might be able to group it in such a way that would speak to your intended graduate track i.e. "Mangos in Contemporary Thought" if, say, you plan to go into mango studies. (I saw a paper being delivered at MLA on "mango studies" that had me grinning for hours.)

My advisor hit me early with theory and told me to double, triple, quadruple up on it while in UG. I ended up with two historic surveys and two themed studies of contemporary theory (Beauty/Abjection/Aesthetics; Wilde/Historicist/Queer). If you don't have any other "survey of criticism" on your transcript, you might do best just to name it something at least close to that just the avoid the potential (although unlikely) red flag of having no theory work listed. You could always just go for a meta-title: "Contemporary Critical Theory: Pointless Babbling En Francais" or something like that.

[Alephantiasis]

Since you're likely to study different theoretical schools, I'd suggest using the plural. Something along the lines of: Theories of literary and cultural criticism.

[lolopixie]

I think the survey ideas is good because you are probably going to be doing a broad survey of several areas. I know a lot of programs that simply title the lit crit course survey in literary criticism. Maybe you could toss out the survey part, since others are opposed to it, and just name it Literary Theory and Criticism?

[ecritdansleau]

Because it is a "self-designed" independent study, I think you should perhaps try to demonstrate (show off, even?) the particular angle/focus that you're taking with the course. Maybe it would help to look over a list of titles and authors you will be studying, and go from there. For instance, depending on your thematic/historical scope, you might title it either "The Frankfurt School: 1922-1952" or "The Frankfurt School and Western Marxism" or even something broader "Aesthetics, Politics and Critical Theory". In my greener days, I took a course entitled "Recent European Philosophy," not realizing that this goes all the way back to Hegel, lol; so thus I learned that "recent" can encompass over two centuries of thought.

Also, I would definitely second the above comments in that you should definitely consider how the title will appear on your actual transcript.

Edited September 15, 2011 by ecritdansleau

[Two Espressos]

I did this too, with an independent study as an undergrad. The most important thing, IMO, is to pick a title that will be self-explanatory on a transcript (that is, it will give a clear picture of what you did in the course). Also, take a look at a copy of your transcript if you can: how many characters does it allow for course titles? It may be best to pick something short so that it doesn't get cut off.

Wait, do undergraduates typically title their own independent study courses? I plan to take one in the spring.

[Phil Sparrow]

"Independent Study in Contemporary Critical Theory" would work just fine. Shows that it's based on the normal course but is an independent study, which is different.

For all those on this thread nitpicking about what "looks good on a transcript"--and to those who have been freaking out about all the details of your CVs and whatever else is on your application--allow me to provide a gem of insight from a successful applicant who shares a good rapport with current and former adcom faculty: writingsamplewritingsamplewritingsample, fitfitfit. Seriously.

[truckbasket]

writingsamplewritingsamplewritingsample, fitfitfit. Seriously.

The voice of reason speaketh!

[runonsentence]

Wait, do undergraduates typically title their own independent study courses? I plan to take one in the spring.

Probably depends. They did at my undergrad institution; I think that grads doing independent studies here pick the title in conjunction with their prof.