LIT 261 - Modern Literature

1. Analyze literary texts for both meaning and form.
2. Understand the social, historical, and cultural contexts of literature.
3. Critically analyze works of literature through writing, discussion, or presentation.

1. Intensive Writing and Critical Inquiry
   1. Producing written discourse in more than one assignment through papers, reports, quizzes, tests, etc., which includes a minimum word standard of 3000 words.
   2. Written assignments emphasize critical inquiry which includes the gathering, interpreting, and evaluating of evidence.
   3. Includes a formal out of class paper of at least 1,500 words which requires critical inquiry and where the writer develops and supports a main idea.  
   4. Explicit writing instruction with timely feedback to help students improve their writing and critical inquiry skills is part of the course’s content.
   5. The evaluation of written assignments must include the overall quality of written work and critical inquiry, as measured by a rubric.
   6. At least 50% of the student’s grade must be based on the written work and critical inquiry assignments.
2. Analyzing Literary Texts for Meaning and Form
   1. Explaining the significance of literary texts
   2. Showing how form relates to meaning
3. Understanding the Contexts of Literature
   1. Situating literary texts within their place and time
   2. Understanding impact of political, economical, historical, psychological, and philosophical contexts of literature
   3. Comparing literary texts with analogous examples from other modes of cultural expression
   4. Developing understandings of commonalties within the human family through comparisons of literary expression
   5. Including selections from U.S. and non-U.S. cultures
   6. Including works by and about women and minorities
4. Critically Analyze Literature
   1. Using writing and discussion for critical analysis, interpretation, and evaluating evidence
   2. Producing written discourse in various forms, totaling 2500 words or more
   3. Combining in-class and out-of-class written work
   4. Including a major out-of-class paper, of at least 1000 words or two 500-word papers requiring critical inquiry.