This writing and reading intensive course is foremost intended to increase students' exposure to and appreciation of literature in its many forms. Students will therefore read and discuss the primary genres of poetry, the short story, drama, and the novel. The second goal of the course is to hone students' abilities to read, write, and think critically about the ways in which human experience itself is shaped by language in literary texts. Through the development of literary analysis skills and the practice of writing about literature, students will learn to communicate meaningfully about literature as an art form with aesthetic, social, cultural, and political significance.

Grounded within the context of media studies, this course engages students in a critical and analytical exploration of the media and its influences on American culture and society. The course examines the various ways that the media functions as both a lens for interpreting culture and a tool through which culture is shaped. Through critical engagement with various forms of media, students explore the roles of film, visual art, television, music, mass media, and web- based media in shaping their understanding of literature, writing, and culture.

This course extends and refines writing, reading, and critical thinking skills. Through analysis of texts, study of language as a symbol system, and exploration of advanced expository and persuasive techniques, students identify and apply effective strategies for creating and communicating meaning in their own essays. Writing within the course integrates research and citation in ways that are appropriate to the individual learner's chosen field of study. The workshop format of the course includes class discussion, individual conferences with the instructor, and peer critique of work in progress.

This course explores a wide range of literature for young adults, along with social and literary criticism that help to illuminate the impact of this literature. Through readings and discussion of both current and classic literature, students identify why literature is a powerful tool and how it can help young adults shape their lives. Learners respond to young adult literature through written analyses and critiques.