Creative ways of engaging Critical theories

Critical theories are largely seen as intellectual labyrinths, as challenging to navigate as the intricacies of rocket science. A core paper invariantly offered in courses on Literary Studies, most of the students and even teachers have a hard time grappling with the discussions under its purview. The very reason for the inclusion of Critical theories -  the strengthening of Humanities perspectives - fails miserably when approached as an intellectual burden that cannot be wished away.

Most of my teaching assignments since the past 7 years have included texts from Critical theories for postgraduate students. These seven years of teaching theories have been a learning experience to identify the reasons for the skewed perceptions on theories held by many students and teachers. I have also been informed by the regular discussions I continue to have with my guide and mentor, Prof. G. S. Jayasree  who introduced Literary theories at the Institute of English in 1995 and moulded the critical perspectives of many generations of students till 2014. 

As of now, these are some of my observations:

1. Most of the classroom discussions on Critical theories are situated within the binary of Creative vs Critical thinking. 

     We need to reimagine Critical theories as a creative process that uncovers the deeper nuances of texts and issues — layers that might remain hidden to those unfamiliar with these ways of thinking. Seen through this lens, theories would be more fun.

2. Discussions of Critical theories are largely reduced to the prescribed essays in the syllabus.

    The essays prescribed for study are only pointers towards larger understanding. They are products of specific socio-cultural milieus. Beyond the essay, historicising the theoretical formation is indispensable. 

3. Critical theories are alienated from the realities of everyday life.    

    Critical theories are about the everyday life. They are different frames for storying individual as well as collective experiences. Decoding contemporary situations or texts using the theory under discussion would ensure an active engagement of the students with the the concepts.

4. The practice of reading research articles is not widespread.

Students have to be initiated into the habit of reading research articles to understand the use of theories in praxis and to hone their critical perceptions. 

Critical theories are discourses that sharpen one's critical thinking skills and enable stronger reflections on pasts, presents and futures. In this age of AI and increasing authoritarianism, these reflections are highly imperative to ensure that the society is not reduced to a group of servile automatons.