Professing Criticism

Professing Criticism traces the evolution and current state of literary studies in American universities through a series of connected essays. Literary scholar John Guillory examines the profession's history from the early 20th century to the present day. The book analyzes key developments in how literature is taught and studied, including changes in critical theory, methodology, and institutional structures. Guillory investigates the relationship between academic literary criticism and broader cultural conversations about reading and education. The text focuses on practical questions about the purpose and value of literary studies in contemporary higher education. It addresses how professors justify their work and considers the role of reading in developing an educated public. This work represents an important contribution to ongoing debates about the future of humanities education and the place of literary studies in academia. The analysis raises fundamental questions about how scholars can meaningfully connect their professional practice to broader social and cultural goals.

Readers describe the book as a detailed examination of the role of literary criticism in universities, though some find it dense and theoretical. Many note it builds on Guillory's earlier work Cultural Capital. Readers appreciate: - Historical depth and research - Analysis of criticism as a profession - Clear breakdown of changes in English departments - Connection between criticism and institutional politics Common criticisms: - Writing style can be difficult to follow - Some sections feel repetitive - Arguments occasionally get lost in details - Limited discussion of contemporary developments From available review data: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: No reviews currently available Notable reader comment from academic blog: "Guillory expertly traces how literary criticism evolved within universities, though the theoretical framework may challenge non-specialists" (via academic blog comment) Review numbers remain limited as this is a specialized academic text with a focused audience.

Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan Culler Provides a systematic overview of literary theory's development in academia and explores core debates about interpretation and meaning that shape the field of literary criticism.

The Rise and Fall of English by Robert Scholes Maps the institutional history of English studies in American universities and examines the changing relationship between literature departments and the broader goals of higher education.

The University in Ruins by Bill Readings Analyzes the transformation of universities from cultural institutions to corporate entities and considers the implications for humanities disciplines like literary studies.

The Employment of English by Michael Bérubé Examines the professional conditions of English professors and traces changes in literary pedagogy, theory, and institutional structures since the 1960s.

What's Liberal About the Liberal Arts? by Michael Bérubé Presents an analysis of humanities education's role in contemporary universities and addresses critiques about the purpose and value of literary studies.

🎓 Literary criticism wasn't formally taught in universities until the early 20th century - before that, it was mainly practiced by journalists and public intellectuals. 📚 The author, John Guillory, wrote the influential "Cultural Capital" (1993), which revolutionized how scholars think about the literary canon and its formation. ✍️ The modern academic English department structure originated at Johns Hopkins University in 1876, establishing a model that would be copied across American universities. 🏛️ The term "criticism" comes from the Greek word "kritikos," meaning "able to make judgments," and was first used in its literary sense during the Renaissance. 📖 Professional literary criticism experienced its "golden age" in American universities between 1950-1970, with enrollment in English departments reaching historic peaks.