Offers secondary teachers an opportunity to develop competence and confidence working with diverse students, many of whom appear to read and write only when required to do so. Considers the design and practices of traditional English curricula at the middle and high school level and explores alternative syllabi and unit design as strategies for actively engaging students in the pursuit of meaning in reading and writing as they enhance their skills. Explores the role of research as well as interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches as they relate to curricula in English and the humanities. Requires graduate students to demonstrate advanced levels of study and research.