In this upper-level course, students explore the universal nature of spiritual and intellectual needs for love, justice, integrity, knowledge, and acceptance. Students acquire a vocabulary of literary criticism and convention by examining literary selections in their historical and cultural perspectives. The literary techniques of classic authors are studied and analyzed with a focus on critical analysis. Students contribute to a journal, participate in newsgroup discussions and complete a formal writing project. Completion of this course will enable a student to read with a critical focus; see literature in its historical and cultural perspective; recognize and understand the techniques of characterization, tone, mood, point of view, and imagery; and respond in a mature way to the authors' messages in discussion and in written analysis.