Foundations of Literary Theory: For EFL University Students

Abstract

Foundations of Literary Theory: For EFL University Students is a free undergraduate textbook in the Literary Studies branch of English Language Studies for EFL University Students. Directed by Munassir Alhamami, Professor of Applied Linguistics at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, this first edition (Version 1, 2026) introduces adult EFL university students to theoretical questions, evidence-based interpretation, and literary argument. No previous university course in literary theory is required. The fifteen chapters examine literature and interpretation; formalism, New Criticism, and close reading; global poetics and literary value; reader-response and reception; structuralism, semiotics, and narrative; poststructuralism and deconstruction; psychoanalytic and Marxist criticism; postcolonial theory, language, and translation; feminist criticism; gender, sexuality, and queer theory; New Historicism and cultural criticism; race, ethnicity, and Indigenous literary criticism; ecocriticism and the nonhuman world; and the comparison of theories in literary analysis. International literary works and clearly labeled constructed examples connect concepts with specific textual evidence and interpretive limits. The book supports approximately 35–45 classroom contact hours, with flexible pacing and additional independent study. Each chapter contains five main teaching sections, a central question, a roadmap, an opening text, worked examples, guided activities, five Practice and Apply tasks with explained answers, review terms, a short quiz, and an infographic. A glossary, sources and further reading, independent reading suggestions, and an index support continued study. Clear, B2-oriented academic English supports readers as they learn disciplinary concepts. AI-use disclosure: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and NotebookLM assisted with research, drafting, revision, visual development, and production. ChatGPT Images supplied creative illustrations for the learning visuals and generated artwork used in the covers, with typography and precise diagram elements composed separately where needed. The Project Director is responsible for final editorial decisions and the released version. Except where otherwise stated, original content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0); credited external works and translations remain subject to their own terms. Series website: https://sites.google.com/view/els4efl/home