Course Catalogs
Department: English
Foreign language study is strongly encouraged for all English majors.
Credit earned in English 1 or 2 does not count toward hour requirements for any English major or minor.
Each student graduating with a major in English will participate in a senior exit interview, normally in conjunction with English 299. This review will provide a means of self-assessment for each student and program assessment for the department.
A course designed to help students write with clarity, confidence, and conviction through regular practice in writing (including argument and exposition, writing as discovery, and personal exploration). Particular attention will be given to the role of revision in the writing process. This course also includes a study of language and its social roles, with special attention to the origin, development, and current nature of the English language.
This is a course in which students develop their composition skills through reading and writing about literature. The course includes a discussion of multiple genres and of literary works' historical and cultural contexts. Students will develop skills of writing in multiple forms and will learn the skills and terminology appropriate to discussion literary works in different genres. Students will receive instruction in writing skills such as structuring an argument, using evidence from multiple sources, using conventions appropriately, and refining an essay through revision.
This course is designed to equip new English majors and minors with the textual expertise and vocabulary needed for the analysis and discussion of various texts. It will cover English prosody (including meter, sounds patterns, and traditional closed forms), and the technical vocabulary appropriate to the discussion of fiction and drama.
An introductory course designed to help students appreciate the literary record of human relationships with nature, the supernatural, and each other. Each course examines a particular question or condition as it is represented in a restricted number of literary works, with core readings from the Bible, Greek or Roman classical literature, Shakespeare, literature by women, and literature by writers of color. Current offerings include the following:
Encountering Others This course looks at texts that represent moments of contact, conflict, or exchange between different cultures, or between a society and those individuals the society has designated as 'different' in some crucial way.
Coming of Age-Becoming Women, Becoming Men This course looks at texts that represent the forces and processes that are part of maturation, especially those related to gender identity. This course focuses on gender issues and includes feminist perspectives. Note: This course also counts for Gender Studies credit.
Families and Relationships This course will examine how writers from different historical eras and cultural contexts write about family, in every sense of that word. Writing the Self 'Who am I?' This is the quintessential question that all human beings ask. This course examines how writers from different historical eras and cultural contexts use various narrative strategies to construct a sense of self. We will also examine numerous theories that seek to explain what constitutes the 'I' that locates the self as a palpable center of self-awareness, as well as how genre influences the accounting of personal history.
Sexualities This course is designed to help students appreciate the literary record of romantic relationships. Specifically, the course will explore how writers from different historical periods and cultural milieus address the issue of human sexuality. Note: same-sex relationships will be routinely read about and discussed in the class. Note: This course also counts for Gender Studies credit.
Law and Justice The courtroom is a place where one's telling and interpretation of stories can mean the difference between life and death, so the analysis of literature and the practice of the law are already intertwined. This course explores the connection further by focusing on literary works that deal with the principle of justice and the application of law.
Revolution This course looks at texts that represent moments of sudden change, upheaval, and transformation, both within societies and within individuals.
Religion and Spirituality Religion is a virtually universal constant in recorded human history, but with answers of different religions to humankind's big questions have varied enormously. What is the origin and purpose of evil? What is death? What things should be held sacred? What is the nature of the divine? How should we treat other people - and should we distinguish between those who share our beliefs and those who do not? This course will study some of the ways these questions have been answered, from most ancient times to the present.
The Environment How are nature and the natural world imagined through literary texts? In the western tradition, "nature" is usually considered separate from humanity - a passive landscape designed to be dominated and used by humans for human purposes. What is the origin of this cultural attitude? What alternative views do we find in the history of western literature? What does the literary record of nature look like in some non-western cultural traditions? Is nature best understood as a universal category apart from human culture or is the idea of nature created by human culture? This course will explore such questions by reading texts from different eras and cultural traditions.
War Virtually every culture has experienced war, and cultures often define and understand themselves through the memories of their wars. Literature about war, from western civilization's founding epic, Homer's Iliad, to blogs maintained by contemporary soldiers, provides us with not only some of our most memorable images of courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, but also compelling evidence of war's cruelty, horror, and senselessness; its themes encompass both enormous historical and cultural change and the most intimate, personal suffering.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing.
A survey of British literature is designed as a foundation course for majors. Its aim is to provide a historical perspective of British writers and genres, from the Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the end of the Neoclassic era.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
A survey of British literature designed as a foundation course for majors. Its aim is to provide a historical perspective of British writers and genres, from the beginnings of the Romantic Movement to the present.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
A survey course providing a historical perspective on the culture of the U.S. through the study of its literature from the colonial beginnings to the Civil War.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
A survey course providing a historical perspective on the culture of the U.S. through the study of its literature from the Civil War to the present.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
The focus of this course is on the writing process and its product, the central activity being to study the effects of writing on both writer and reader. The course is conducted as a workshop in which students read their own compositions to the class and respond to the compositions of their classmates.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing.
An introduction to the writing of fiction with an emphasis upon a variety of forms, techniques, and narrative voices. Discussion of student writing will take place in a workshop setting.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the writing of poetry with an emphasis upon a variety of forms and techniques. Discussion of student writing will take place in a workshop setting.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing or permission of the instructor.
Students study principles of linguistic analysis and survey various theories of English grammar. Topics include: English phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and subfields of linguistics such as: sociolinguistics (regional and ethnic dialects, issues of gender), historical linguistics, and psycholinguistics (language acquisition, language and the brain).
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and sophomore standing.
An introductory course in the historical and grammatical development of Modern English from Old English and Middle English.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and sophomore standing.
Students will study the early history of rhetoric, drawing upon the Greek and Roman traditions and those of at least one additional culture. Students will focus on the major tenets of these rhetorical traditions, enabling them to analyze a variety of texts from multiple cultural perspectives.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and sophomore standing.
A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty. This course will usually be a course in literature, but it may sometimes be a course in language or writing.
A systematic study of the outstanding literary artist of the English language: comedies, tragedies, and historical plays.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies or [course:THTR-002=l} and junior standing.
An advanced writing workshop covering rhetorical principles (invention, arrangement, style, presentation) of various disciplines. Students will complete writing projects related to their professional interests.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.
An advanced course in the writing of fiction within a continued emphasis on a variety of forms, techniques, and narrative voices. Discussion of student writing will take place in a workshop setting. Specific topics will vary by semester. Course may be repeated for credit with the permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 117 Fiction Writing or permission of the instructor.
An advanced course in the writing of poetry with a continued emphasis on a variety of forms and techniques. Discussion of student writing will take place in a workshop setting. Specific topics will vary by semester. Course may be repeated for credit with the permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 119 Poetry Writing or permission of the instructor.
An advanced course focusing primarily on British medieval literature. Its aim is to provide depth of knowledge by concentrating upon a single author, genre, or theme that distinctively represents the medieval period. Training in scholarship is provided through individual projects in literary research and analysis. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An advanced course focused primarily on British Renaissance literature. Its aim is to provide depth of knowledge by concentrating upon a single author, genre, or theme that distinctively represents the Renaissance period. Training in scholarship is provided through individual projects in literary research and analysis. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An advanced literature course designed to provide depth of knowledge by concentrating upon a single author, genre, or theme that distinctively represents literature from the years 1660-1800. Training in scholarship is provided through individual projects in literary research and analysis. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An advanced literature course designed to provide depth of knowledge by concentrating upon a single author, genre, or theme that distinctively represents the nineteenth century or some portion of the century. Training in scholarship is provided through individual projects in literary research and analysis. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An advanced literature course designed to provide depth of knowledge by concentrating upon a single author, genre, or theme that distinctively represents the twentieth century or some portion of the century. Training in scholarship is provided through individual projects in literary research and analysis. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An analytical course designed to provide intensive study of the fiction genre, or some aspect of the genre, and to improve students' techniques and standards of literacy analysis and judgment. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An analytical course designed to give students exposure to some of the major achievements of British, Continental, and American dramatists. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An analytical course designed to provide intensive study of poetics and the various genres in verse, and to improve students' techniques and standards of literary analysis and judgment. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
An analytical course designed to provide intensive study of the different genres of literary non-fiction writing, and to improve students' techniques and standards of literary analysis and judgment. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
This course in the development of the novel since the end of World War II, uses examples drawn primarily from Great Britain, the United States, and the Anglophone world.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and junior standing.
Fiction and essays by women from various cultures (including the U.S., Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean) will be the focus of this course. The multicultural, international reading list will provide students insight into the lives and experiences of women most likely very different from themselves; thus they can appreciate and learn from the differences and make connections across cultures.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature.
A thematic course designed to complement the more traditional offerings in British and American literature. The emphasis will be on the shock of colonization, the oppression of imperialism, and the struggle for independence. Attention will also be paid to the encounter of the individual with the questions of God, family, love, war, work, change, and death.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
A course in which students will concentrate in depth on one subfield or topic in the domain of linguistics. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing, ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and one 100-level language theory course.
(Normally offered every other year.)
A course in which students will concentrate in depth on one topic within the domain of rhetoric. The particular subject will be determined each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing, ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies and one 100-level language theory course.
(Normally offered every other year.)
A study of Shakespeare's work and life on site in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Coursework includes attendance at six productions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a visit to the Shakespeare Globe Museum and New Globe Theatre in London, a theatre tour and workshop conducted by the Royal Shakespeare Company, lectures by resident scholars at the Shakespeare Centre, and visits to all the Shakespeare Trust Properties and Holy Trinity Church. The course culminates in a major paper developed from research at the Shakespeare Centre Library and the Royal Shakespeare Collection. This course may be counted toward the English major in lieu of ENG 200 Shakespeare.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.
This course supplements the basic American survey courses. Its aim is to acquaint students with representative autobiography, fiction, drama, poetry, literary criticism, and essays by African-American writers from Frederick Douglass to Toni Morrison.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 001 English Language and Writing and a Masterpieces of Literature course (ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, HIST 116 Western Civilization through Literature 1500 - Present, MLANG 134 Masterpieces of European Literature, or THTRE 101 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature).
An advanced course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty. This course will usually be a course in literature, but it may sometimes be a course in language or writing. This course may be offered to meet a group requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or instructor approval.
A course in pedagogical theory as it relates to teaching composition and introductory literature classes. This course is the required preparation for ENG 293 Pedagogy Practicum (English Student Instructor) (ENG 001 English Language and Writing, or ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature Student Instructor).
Pass/Fail only.
(Only offered winter term.)
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor and department chair, ENG 100 Introduction to Textual Studies, ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature, and junior standing.
Student instructors will apply their knowledge of discipline-specific pedagogical theories by working with faculty members in either ENG 001 English Language and Writing or ENG 101 Masterpieces of Literature. Students will plan class discussions; create and respond to student assignments; and do independent projects designed to reflect on their experiences in class. All students in ENG 293 Pedagogy Practicum (English Student Instructor) will meet once a month with the department chair to evaluate their progress. Course may not be repeated for credit.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor and department chair and ENG 292 Preparation for Pedagogy Practicum.
A projects course designed to analyze and develop techniques and subjects not involved in any of the standard courses. The topic, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be counted toward a major emphasis area with the approval of the department chair.
A project course in which students serve as apprentices in their chosen fields. Students' progress and performance will be supervised and evaluated jointly by the cooperating supervisor and instructor. Each project will be individually designed to suit the student's professional interests.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
A course in the theory and development of literary criticism including a general overview of theories of literary criticism before the 20th-century and 20th-century critical theories.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.
A senior-level research and writing seminar. In this course students produce a research paper of approximately 20 pages or an original work (e.g., a short story) supplemented with a 10-page essay that explains their work critically. At the end of the term, students make panel presentations about their work to the entire department, and each paper is read by two faculty chosen by each student.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.
An introductory course in journalism concentrating upon basic techniques of news gathering and writing, including a basic history of news media.
Analysis of and practice in writing news feature stories for a variety of publications. The course will stress audience appraisal, interviewing, and research.
Study and practice of various print-media production skills including typography, layout design, and printing techniques. Students will learn several pagination and design computer programs.
Working session during which staff members produce the weekly newspaper, The Reveille. May be repeated. Credit is limited to 4 hours.
Pass/Fail only.
Advanced study and practice of computer-related print production skills.
Prerequisite(s): JOURN 164 Computer Publishing I or permission of the instructor.
A projects course designed to analyze and develop techniques and subjects not involved in any of the standard courses. The topic, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty.
On-the-job training with a newspaper or other sponsor involved with communications. Work may include writing, photography, or production. Each internship will be designed individually to benefit both student and sponsor. Sponsors may be secured either by the student or by the department.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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402.465.2243
