Technically, this is a Gateway Course, designed for the English pre-major. Logistically, this course will introduce the student to the study of English literature. Specifically, this course will give the student some sense of different literary genres—prose and poetry—and how to approach those genres critically. Methodologically, this course will focus on early 20th century texts in order to play through some different critical approaches. Pragmatically, we'll be reading Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness; some poems by Marianne Moore; and Anita Loos's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which Edith Wharton—no slouch herself—called "the great American novel." The student will learn to read closely and critically, and by the end of the quarter you will never again not have noticed that the preceding five sentences begin with adverbs. Sadly, there will be a midterm and a final. Necessarily, all students taking 301 must sign up for the 297 writing link, as well as a 301 quiz section.