ENGL 1500 B (CRN: 93219)

English: Intro to Literary Studies (B)

3 credit hours

About ENGL 1500 B

Introduction to the critical work of close reading across literary genres, understanding of key terms and concepts, and writing in the discipline. Required for English majors and minors. Topics vary by section.

Notes

Junior and senior ENGL, SEE majors and ENGL minors only until Wednesday, April 8th; then ENGL SEE majors and ENGL minors only during the first week registration Open to Degree and PACE students

Section Description

ENGS 1500 is a foundational course in the reading methods of the English major, so our focus will be on key elements of literary meaning-making. We'll read a variety of kinds of texts from different historical periods. Part of our concern will be how the text’s genre and form (is it a play? a poem? an essay?) and historical context (was it written last year in America? in Shakespeare’s England?) establish parameters that guide responsible analysis and interpretation. We'll think about HOW texts mean (in addition to WHAT they mean), and we'll consider issues of authorship, audience, and authority as we ask how and where a text's meaning is determined.

Section Expectation

Our focus will be on METHOD, on the particular strategies of reading and writing that are used in the discipline of literary study. Because of this focus, the reading assignments are short by design. As will become clear as we move through the course, the assigned texts ask to be read in a different manner from the way we read casually (as we do, for example, when surfing the internet). To put it differently, the focus of this course is SLOW READING. I expect you to linger over each short assignment, reading it closely, carefully, and multiple times, and annotating it thoroughly. This effort, coupled with our class discussions and writing assignments, will help you unveil the full richness of what we call literature.

Full class participation (attendance AND involvement in class discussions and in-class writing activities) is important and expected.

Evaluation

Grades are based on combined assessment of participation, completion of class activities, and quality of submitted writing.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

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Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund
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