This course will help students to develop clearer and more comprehensive understandings of literary texts, as well as to forge a more rewarding relationship with reading in general. In a supportive group environment, students will explore a range of reading strategies, including textual analysis, background research, response and summary writing, and recitation. Then they will apply these tools to an in-depth study of several literary works; likely titles for Fall 2014 include Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Our overall goal is to become more resourceful, effective, and insightful readers.