ENGL 101Introduction to Literature

3 credits · English · Penn State

In ENGL 101 students will study a wide variety of forms of literature --- poetry, novel, short story, drama, graphic novels --- from different time periods and cultures to gain a better understanding of how literature explores human values and issues. Throughout the course, students might use the texts to ask such questions as: of what value is a play, a novel, a poem, or a short story? Is literature worthwhile for its ability to tell a good story or for its questions that do not lend themselves to easy answers? Can literature improve our lives, individually and collectively? The course may also take advantage of literary events occurring on campus each semester--such as poetry readings, dramatic performances, even films relating to the course --- to enrich the experience both of literature and of campus life.