This is an intensive survey course in British literature, beginning with Beowulf and continuing on through Shakespeare to the end of the 20th century. Works will be studied both thematically and historically. Students entering this class should already be skilled in note-taking, research, critical thinking, expository writing, and high-level class discussion. Heavy emphasis is placed on a sophisticated understanding of difficult texts and on the ability to do close textual analysis. All formal papers must be typed and are required for achieving a passing grade. Students will be required to do several forms of expository writing, including a 2,000-word research paper on an assigned topic. A grade of C- or above on the research paper is required for passing the second semester of the course.