Leo Lowenthal, "Sociology of Literature" (1932)

A refreshingly early take on historicizing literary studies--not much that is revelatory, but one is left wondering why this kind of critique had to be reinvented in the early 80's. One can't expect the depth of analysis that comes in the Frankfurt School's later and much longer critiques--but what is here is entirely sensible and intelligent, and is confessionally Marxist without leaning on dogmatism. Part IV is heavily into Germanistik, but the first three parts would make a nice reading for a senior seminar.