This course introduces and explores some widely used terms for understanding various kinds of texts, including poetry, fiction, and filmed narrative. We will read essays on terms like "ideology," "intention," "culture," "genre," "convention" and the like to look at Dickens's long novel Our Mutual Friend, which, like its first Victorian audiences, we will read in "parts," a few chapters a week. Then we will try out these tools on some traditional poems and novels as well as some recent films and television episodes. Attendance is required and students are expected to contribute to class discussions, sometimes with prepared responses to the course materials. Two papers and a final exam will be required.