LIT 280 - Introduction to Literature

1. Analyze literary texts for both meaning and form.
2. Explain the social, historical, and cultural contexts of literature.
3. Demonstrate the ability to practice close reading.
4. Critically analyze works of literature through writing.
5. Identify the most important components in literary texts.
6. Make critical arguments for the interpretation of literary texts.

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. Analyze Literary Texts for Meaning and Form
   1. Explain the significance of literary texts
   2. Show how form relates to meaning
3. Explain the Contexts of Literature
   1. Situate literary texts within their place and time
   2. Explain the impact of political, economical, historical, psychological, and philosophical contexts of literature
   3. Compare literary texts with analogous examples from other modes of cultural expression
   4. Develop an understanding of commonalities within the human family through comparisons of literary expression
   5. Include selections from U.S. and non-U.S. cultures
   6. Include works by and about women and minorities
4. Close Reading
   1. Engage with texts
   2. Track how elements of form work together to produce thematic content
5. Critically Analyze Literature Through Writing
   1. Use writing and discussion for critical analysis, interpretation, and evaluating evidence
   2. Produce written discourse in various forms, totaling 2500 words or more of at least 1000 words or two 500-word papers requiring critical inquiry.
   3. Combine in-class and out-of-class written work
6. Identify Important Components in Literary Texts
   1. Select evidence from texts to go beyond summary to probing analytical interpretations
   2. Provide convincing textual evidence to support analytical interpretations
7. Critical Arguments for Interpretation
   1. Make claims about the interpretation of literary texts
   2. Support claims with textual evidence from literary texts
   3. Analyze textual evidence from literary texts