SKILLS/EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR LEVELS OF LITERATURE CLASSES
Faculty of the Department of English, UI September 2013

200-level

•          Trains students in close reading (via class discussions, close reading strategies, and writing assignments) of a range of texts and genres
•          Introduces critical terminology
•          Helps students start to apply close reading and terminology in one or more sustained analytical essays (approximately 5-7 pages each), as well as shorter writing assignments
•          Helps students understand real-world applications of English studies

Special ENG 215 Skills

•          Introduces students to the range of emphases and possibilities within the English major
•          Builds on the basic research skills introduced in English 102, targets use of subject-specific databases, and may incorporate instructor-chosen secondary sources

300-level

•          Reinforces the critical terminology, close reading, and research skills from the 200-level
•          Helps students learn to develop their own interpretations (and/or find evidence for others’ interpretations) of more complex literary works
•          Gives students guided practice with close reading via class discussions and/or close reading assignments
•          Introduces students to major authors and a diverse range of voices from each period
•          Helps students gain an understanding of how literary texts shape and reflect their particular contexts, including major movements in literary history
•          Introduces students to scholarly conversations about the literature they read and teaches them how to integrate secondary sources
•          Helps students from a range of backgrounds (including non-English-majors) engage with and develop investment in the texts they’re reading—using a range of assignments, potentially including multimedia assignments, online discussions, individual or group presentations, debates, films, creative projects, group work, and other strategies
•          Trains students to write longer sustained analytical essays that evidence close reading of the literature, use (selectively) critical sources, and ask meaningful questions of the literature and its construction. Students should be able to sustain an analysis of 8 or more pages, and should write 15-20 pages of analysis during the semester.
•          Helps students understand real-world applications of English studies
•          Introduces students to contemporary theories of literary and cultural studies, including critical practice

400-level

•          Helps students develop more depth in their analysis and writing by spending more time with a focused body of literature
•          Continues to reinforce close reading, research skills, and analytical writing strategies from 300-level courses
•          Continues to help students investigate how literary texts shape and reflect their particular contexts, including major movements in literary history
•          Continues to emphasize a diverse range of voices and perspectives
•          Continues to help students with a diverse range of interests and learning styles to develop investment in the texts they’re reading—using a range of assignments, potentially including multimedia assignments, online discussions, individual or group presentations, debates, films, creative projects, group work, and other strategies
•          Helps students engage more thoroughly in scholarly conversations about literature—building from their research skills and use of texts in previous classes to position themselves in dialogue with critical discussions
•          Requires more substantial research
•          Requires original and well-developed theses in response to literature
•          Provides more opportunities for students to direct their own education and interests—by encouraging them to decide on their research interests, give presentations, lead discussions and/or otherwise show investment and engagement with the material that goes beyond what the instructor has given them
•          Trains students to write longer sustained analytical essays that evidence close reading of the literature, engage with critical sources, and ask meaningful questions of the literature and its construction. Students should be able to sustain an analysis of 10 or more pages, and should write approximately 20-25 pages of analysis during the semester (potentially including shorter analytical responses in addition to more sustained essays).
•          Builds on previous levels (and anticipates graduation) by helping students understand real-world applications of English studies
•          Supports continued exploration of theoretical perspectives on literary and cultural studies, enabling students to reflect upon, compose, and articulate with greater sophistication the ways that they engage with critical theory and practice