Graduate Program
English
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2010
Thesis Director
Randall Beebe
Thesis Committee Member
Dana Ringuette
Thesis Committee Member
Marjorie Worthington
Abstract
While much scholarly discussion exists on the future of literary studies and its value to society at large, much of this discussion revolves around economic terminology, such as value, without discussing the issues and concerns of literary studies in a larger economic framework. In this project, I look at the advent ofliterary theory as the catalyst that transformed literary studies into a capitalist economic system. This project aims to look at the complexity of value systems operating within the discipline without championing one theory over another or, indeed, championing or arguing against theory itself. Instead, an economic model allows us to navigate the complexity ofrelative values within literary studies with a greater precision because the study of economics is itself concerned with value and perpetuating value within systems. Ultimately, I use my project to conclude that the capitalist model shows that literary studies promotes intellectual markets just as a capitalist economic system drives itself to expand its own markets.
Recommended Citation
Black, Devin Charles, "An Economic Model Of Literary Studies" (2010). Masters Theses. 298.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/298
