English Language; Understanding of the development of the English language as used in works of literature Foundational Texts; Knowledge of foundational texts of British and American literature Historical and Cutural Range; Understanding of the historical and cultural range of literature written in English Literary Research; Ability to conduct and use literary research, to the point of achieving: a compelling thesis, accurate and sufficient evidence presented in a scholarly manner, proper disciplinary and interdisciplinary research tools, and clear and appropriate writing for a research paper Knowledge of foundational texts of British and American literature Understanding of the historical and cultural range of literature written in English Understanding of the development of the English language as used in works of literature Understanding of strategies of textual interpretation appropriate to different literary genres Ability to conduct and use literary research, to the point of achieving: * an overall thesis that pushes the argument beyond summary * accurate and sufficient evidence presented in a scholarly manner * proper disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research tools * clear and appropriate writing for a research paper Ability to write clearly and effectively Textual Interpretation; Understanding of strategies of textual interpretation appropriate to different literary genres Writing; Ability to write clearly and effectively