To introduce three major western literary genres （fiction, poetry, drama）　over a 3-semester course, and to strengthen students in reading, analyzing, and discussing works of literature from a discerning and critical standpoint. In each of three semesters students are introduced to both representative and non-traditional texts in fiction, poetry and drama respectively. Students read closely, think critically, and evaluate texts chosen to elucidate critical ideas introduced in class. Class meetings include instructor-led textual examination, student-generated discussion, and individual or group presentations of selected works.

The general aim of the three semesters of Introduction to Western Literature is to help you read, reflect on, analyze, and respond to a wide range of English-language literary works. The literary works are chosen for their general merit as literature and their usefulness in illustrating certain formal features or aspects of short fiction, poetry, and drama. We focus on formal features rather than, for instance, historical issues or recurrent themes. In this (third) semester of Introduction to Western Literature, we will work on the skills needed to understand and appreciate drama. By the end of the semester, you should be able to 1.compare the conventions of drama with those of fiction and poetry, 2.understand the basic elements of Western drama, 3.read, analyze and respond to Western drama, and 4.express well-supported ideas about drama, both orally and in writing

Kirszner & Mandell, Protable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing, 6th Edition, Thomas Wadsworth 2007; handouts