The purpose of this course—a gateway, of sorts, to the English major—is to introduce you to the basic practices of literary analysis. We will take a genre-based approach, with units on poetry, fiction, and drama. In exploring these texts we will not only hone our skills of close textual analysis and build a vocabulary for discussing literature, but become acquainted with various theoretical and ideological approaches for analyzing texts, such as gender criticism, Marxist criticism, and psychoanalysis. Through readings, discussion, and writing assignments, this course will: Introduce you to a wide range of texts and authors; Help prepare you for the rigors and expectations of upper-level English courses; Introduce you to theoretical models or frameworks for analyzing literary texts; Sharpen your skills of close analysis and critical thinking; Teach you the conventions for discussing and writing about literature in an academic setting; Enhance your knowledge of literary terms, conventions, and forms.