Written with great insight and authority about teaching in the 'real world'-a world in which students don't always have the opportunity to be as conscientious about school work as we would like them to be-this book is a no-nonsense guide to tackling the real-life challenges of teaching English literature in the higher education classroom. Whether you're teaching in a community college, state school, liberal arts college or Ivy League institution, this book provides invaluable advice and experience-based insights which will help you to motivate and inspire your students. Collier addresses key questions such as: How do you articulate the value of literary education to students, administrators, and parents? How can a class session with a fatigued and underprepared group of students be made productive? And how do you encourage overscheduled students to read energetically in preparation for class? Teaching Literature in the Real World articulates a philosophy of teaching that is practical and realistic, offering clear guidance on how to develop learning goals for students of literature along with easy-to-implement, effective advice on pedagogical strategies, day-to-day coping mechanisms and more. Book jacket.