Culturally Bankrupt

I hold a doctorate in English literature. I was relatively successful in my program, and have published scholarly articles and presented papers at numerous academic conferences. It is in the realm of possibility that I have taught your children Introduction to American Literature. However, there are A LOT of books I've never read and movies I've never seen that, if pressed at a cocktail party, I would lie rather than admit ignorance of. This might have already happened. It might have happened last night. No matter. I've decided to finally tackle some of the big boys (and/or girls) of cultural literacy so I don't have to panic and bolt when someone wants to hear my opinion on The Red Badge of Courage. Or Blade Runner. I'm not a snob here. But I'm not reading Proust.