An Economic Model Of Literary Studies

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.

Date of Award	2010
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Randy Beebe (Supervisor)