This gateway course to the graduate program examines the comparative and contrastive relationships between critical and pedagogical theory. The course’s approach is both historical and international with the dual aims of making students keener readers of literature and of preparing them better to show others how to become such readers.

Students will apply both practical and theoretical approaches to various texts of American literature. Readings will vary in time period, selection, and genre. Attention will be paid to both the traditional and the ever-expanding canon. Assignments will be writing intensive.

Students will apply both practical and theoretical approaches to various texts of British literature. Readings will vary in time period, selection, and genre. Attention will be paid to both the traditional and the ever-expanding canon. Assignments will be writing intensive.

Students will apply both practical and theoretical approaches to various texts of Western world literature. Readings will vary in time period, selection, and genre. Attention will be paid to both the traditional and the ever-expanding canon. Assignments will be writing intensive.

Students will apply both practical and theoretical approaches to various texts of non-Western world literature. Readings will vary in time period, selection, and genre. Attention will be paid to both the traditional and the ever-expanding canon. Assignments will be writing intensive.

This course provides various approaches to the writing process and grounds students in the formal history of rhetoric with an eye to the various modes writers use to inform and persuade audiences.

This course studies the intersection of the theory and practice of ever-expanding digital technology with literary and pedagogical issues. Seminar emphasis may vary from semester to semester, but one goal will be to provide a framework for teachers expecting to teach Web and print design at the high school or college level. Student projects may be integrated with publications and Web sites of Philadelphia-area organizations.

This course allows students to ground literary works within their cultural contexts with attention to the historical circumstances and contemporary issues that inform writers and their works.

This course examines selected writers from the greater Philadelphia region (such as Benjamin Franklin, Charles Brockdon Brown, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Owen Wister, Christopher Morley, John Edgar Wideman, Lorene Carey, Chaim Potok, Sonia Sanchez, Toby Olsen, David Bradley) in terms of various frameworks and contexts, including the cultural and historical development of the Philadelphia region, the patterns of immigration and migration that have produced the area’s ethnic and racial diversity, and the insights into that literature suggested by contemporary critical theories.

This course studies drama from a number of historical and cultural traditions with an eye both to reading and producing the play text. Students will study in detail the production history of both established and cutting-edge dramatic pieces; this course will also suggest ways for students to stage theatrical productions under their own direction. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with professional theatre artists associated with theatres in Philadelphia.

This course studies the relationship between literary texts and works of art, music, and film by allowing students to look at examples of literature that reflect, adapt, or make use of materials from a variety of artistic media.

In consultation with the graduate director, students will undertake a substantive critical pedagogical project approved by the graduate director and advisory committee.

Under the direction of a graduate faculty advisor, students will write a major critical essay of at least 10,000 words (i.e., 40 pages) on a topic approved by the graduate director and advisory committee.