EN 118 - Introduction to Literature

1. Identify elements of poetry including, but not limited to: meter, form, rhyme-scheme, theme, point-of-view, and tone. 
2. Identify elements of drama including, but not limited to: character, plot, dialogue, stage direction, theme, and tone. 
3. Identify elements of fiction including, but not limited to: character, plot, dialogue, exposition, conflict, setting, theme, and tone. 
4. Construct a critical interpretation of a text for an audience, either written or presented, using relevant sources. (GELO 2) 
5. Explore how the time period, culture, history, and personal views of an author can guide readers to deeper knowledge of the text and the culture in which it was created. (GELO 4)
6. Explain how the human experience described in various texts across time, culture, and genre can be shared and illuminated through literature. 
7. Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered; connect themes from the texts and their historical context to deepen the student’s understanding of the world and their identity from multiple viewpoints. 

1. Poetry:
   1. Study Three Main Poetic Forms
      1. Lyrical
      2. Narrative
      3. Dramatic
   2. Study Approaches to Poetic Forms
      1. Line
      2. Rhyme scheme and meter
      3. Form varieties: sonnet, ode, blank verse, haiku, etc.
      4. Style: narrative “I”, tone, imagery
   3. Interpret Themes of Poetry
      1. Historical/social/contextual interpretations
      2. Reader-Response Theory
   4. Analyze and interpret multiple texts to explore how the time period, culture, history, and personal views of an author can guide readers to deeper knowledge on the text and the culture in which it was created
2. Drama:
   1. Classical Drama: Select either Asia or Europe 
      1. History and creation of the theater
      2. Key Playwrights and/or Plays
      3. Elements of Plays
         1. Plot
         2. Characters
         3. Theme
         4. Historical/Social influence and impact
         5. Play styles: 
            1. Comedy, Tragedy, Satyr, Religious, 
            2. or Noh and Kabuki, etc., 
            3. or Chinese Opera (Xiqu)
   2. Modern Drama
      1. Element of Drama in the 20th/21st Century
         1. Plot
         2. Characters
         3. Theme
         4. Historical/Social influence and impact
   3. Analyze Dramatic text
      1. Compare and contrast the elements of ancient and modern drama
      2. Demonstrate comprehension of a play
      3. Interpret a theme from a text and apply this theme to the human experience across time
3. Fiction:
   1. Study Elements of Fiction
      1. Plot
      2. Narrative arch
      3. Point of view
      4. Character
      5. Setting
      6. Theme
   2. Study Historical and Social influences on Writing
      1. Cultural norms and values
      2. Time periods
      3. Perspectives
   3. Analyze and interpret a text to explore how the time period, culture, history, and personal views of an author can guide readers to deeper knowledge on the text and the culture in which it was created and/or apply their interpretation to their current world.

Facilitated discussion: 30-50%

Analytic and exploratory writing: 10-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None