Computer modeling and critical theory

Abstract

The explicit consideration of literary theory has become increasingly important both in the field of textual studies generally and in undergraduate literature courses. But theory can seem vague and inconsequential to undergraduates. Our students use hypertext to model intertextuality and the Linear Modeling Kit (a software program we have developed) to model structuralist ideas about narrative. In making computer models, students explore the implications of analytic ideas by attempting to represent them in formal (in the sense of programmable) terms. Our experience shows that such modeling stimulates student questioning and discussion of marked precision and sophistication.