Not long ago, prominent figures in English studies found scholarship on teaching literature underwhelming—especially compared to scholarship on teaching writing. This essay's analysis of citations in recent articles documents that scholarship on teaching literature has since developed into a genuine scholarly conversation. However, considerable room for further development remains.

By reconceiving the introductory general education literature course as “Conclusion to Literature,” foregrounding the ends of reading literature—its human significance—we may not only make a difference in students’ lives but also forestall the end of literary studies.

Review Article| October 01 2017 Teaching What We Do in Literary Studies Digging into Literature: Strategies for Reading, Analysis, and Writing. By Wolfe, Joanna and Wilder, Laura. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2016. 448 pages.Rhetorical Strategies and Genre Conventions in Literary Studies: Teaching and Writing in the Disciplines. By Wilder, Laura. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2012. 238 pages. Paul T. Corrigan Paul T. Corrigan Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Pedagogy (2017) 17 (3): 549–556. https://doi.org/10.1215/15314200-3975671 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter Email Permissions Search Site Citation Paul T. Corrigan; Teaching What We Do in Literary Studies. Pedagogy 1 October 2017; 17 (3): 549–556. doi: https://doi.org/10.1215/15314200-3975671 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter Books & JournalsAll JournalsPedagogy Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. © 2017 by Duke University Press2017 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

This article shows how and why one might teach painting as a reading practice in a literature course. Painting in response to a literary text can deepen the impact that the text has on a reader/painter and can develop her or his ability to read well. Such an activity taps into contemplative dynamics such as attentiveness, presence, dialogue, and community, and it contributes to students' appreciation of literature. Painting in response to a text causes students to linger with the text and provides occasion for rereading.