Literary Imagination and Professional Knowledge establishes a foundation for expanding the use of literature in teacher education curricula. The contributors to this collect have a wide variety of education and experience, thus bringing a richness to the content of the volume. Literature can be a valuable means for illuminating subject matter in college courses focused on educational psychology, educational foundations, human development, educational assessment, and other areas critical to the development of future teachers. The resulting connections can serve to enhance student understanding and classroom discussions in both quality and scope, when literary excerpts are incorporated into the presentation of content. This book is intended to provide specific suggestions and outlines for incorporating literature (e.g., fiction, poetry, and narrative) in teacher education courses. A variety of genres, historical contexts, and specific applications are represented. Among the literary works highlighted are Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Milton's Paradise Lost, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Homer's Odyssey, Dante's Inferno, and The Sum of Our Days by Isabel Allende. The Gilgamesh legend, the poetry of Jason Reynolds, the writings and artwork of William Blake, and classic folk and fairy tales are also presented as frameworks for introducing or exemplifying concepts typically covered in teacher education curricula. One chapter also describes a research investigation into the effects of using literature on pre-service teachers' beliefs and attitudes about cultural diversity.