To clearly define purposes for the teaching of literature in secondary schools.
To draw on literary theory and scholarship to support teaching of traditional, contemporary, multicultural, and popular texts.
To develop integrated, thematic curriculum using a cultural studies approach.
To set high standards and expectations for secondary students.
To use and critically evaluate a variety of instructional techniques for teaching literature.
To gather objective data and evaluate discussion leading drawing on best practice.
To support student readers and the development of their understanding of texts and contexts, drawing in particular on reader response approaches.
To demonstrate curricular and instructional planning skills to work effectively with a wide range of secondary students.
To utilize computers and the internet to teach literature in an academically meaningful ways.
To apply the Michigan and the NCTE/IRA Standards for teaching of English to curriculum development.
