Course Descriptions

Introduction

The department offers selected courses as warranted by student need and availability of faculty. Specific offerings for each term may be found in the schedule of classes.

Courses on the 100 level are directed to students seeking nontechnical, liberally oriented courses to fulfill general education requirements, or for use in minors and particular concentrations. Courses on the 200 level offer broad introductions to literary materials and approaches basic to the study of English. Reading is often extensive and the classes are conducted primarily through lecture. Courses on the 300 level offer more intensive investigations into particular areas of English studies. These courses, the core of the program for majors, are open to advanced students according to their special needs and their preparation in related disciplines. Courses on the 400 level apply theory and methods of literary history, criticism and research to writers, and to problems presented by specific topics. They are designed for upper-class majors. Graduate courses on the 500 level are open to senior majors by permission of the instructor and the departmental chairperson.

Course Prerequisites

Except where noted, 100- and 200-level courses have no prerequisites. Advanced courses (numbered 300 to 499) have a general prerequisite of writing proficiency, plus any special requirements listed with the course descriptions.

ENG 100 - Masterpieces of World Literature (4)
A survey acquainting the student with some of the great literature of the world. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature.

ENG 105 - Shakespeare (4)
A general introduction to representative dramatic works of Shakespeare. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature.

ENG 111 - Modern Literature (4)
A general introduction to some phase of modern literature. Sample offerings might be : modern drama, modern American fiction or continental literature. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature.

ENG 112 - Literature of Ethnic America (4)
Studies in literature about the American ethnic heritage including examples from such sources as African-American, Native American and American immigrant literatures. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature. This course satisfies the university ethnic diversity requirement.

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ENG 200 - Topics in Literature and Language (4)
Topics or problems selected by the instructor.

ENG 215 - Fundamentals of Grammar and Rhetoric (4)
A course treating the relationship of the study of language systems to composition, exploring various grammatical and rhetorical models.

Prerequisite: RHT 160 or equivalent.

ENG 224 - American Literature (4)
Introduction to literary analysis and appreciation through readings in the American literary tradition. Emphasis on such authors as Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson and James. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature.

ENG 241 - British Literature (4)
Introduction to literary analysis and appreciation through readings in the British literary tradition. Emphasis on such authors as Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens. For students seeking an English elective or a course to satisfy the university general education requirement in literature.

ENG 250 - Film: A Literary Approach (4)
Exploration of the dramatic and narrative content of classic and modern films, treating such elements as theme, motif, symbol, imagery, structure and characterization, as well as cultural and philosophical implications.

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ENG 300 - Special Topics in Literature and Language (4)
Special problems or topics selected by the instructor.

ENG 301 - Poetry (4)
The major forms of poetic expression studied from generic and historical points of view.

ENG 302 - Cultural Studies (4)
The interaction of texts and cultural contexts, studied from diverse perspectives - aesthetic, economic, historical and technological. Texts may be literary, filmic, televisual, musical, etc.

ENG 303 - Fiction (4)
The major forms of narrative fiction (short story, novella, novel) studied from generic and historical points of view. This course satisfies the university general requirement in literature
Prerequisite: Junior standing

ENG 304 - Studies in Literary Mode (4)
A major literary mode (such as tragedy, comedy, epic, romance, satire) studied from generic and historical points of view.

ENG 305 - The Bible as Literature (4)
Emphasis on the artistic, imaginative and historical aspects of the Bible. This course satisfies the university general education requirement in literature. Identical with REL 311.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

ENG 306 - Drama (4)
The major forms of dramatic expression studied from generic and historical points of view. This course satisfies the university general requirement in literature
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

ENG 307 - Modern Drama (4)
Studies in English, American and Continental drama since Ibsen.

ENG 309 - Adaptation: Fiction, Drama, and Film (4)
Examination of how works of fiction and drama area transformed into film, including focus on creative and industrial practice. This course satisfies university general education credit for Knowledge Applications Area.

ENG 311 - Chaucer (4)
The major works, with emphasis on The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde.

ENG 312 - Classical Mythology (4)
The principal Greek and Roman myths and their uses in classical and post-classical art and literature. This course satisfies the university general requirement in literature
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

ENG 313 - Myth in Literature (4)
Study in the mythic content and/or structure of literature.

ENG 314 - Folklore in Literature (4)
Reflection of folk themes, images and structures in British and American literature by authors such as Twain, Faulkner, Hardy and Joyce.

ENG 315 - Shakespeare (4)
Reading and discussion of representative plays and poetry.

ENG 316 - Milton (4)
His major poetry, with emphasis on Paradise Lost and some attention to his prose.

ENG 317 - Early American Literature (4)
Studies in colonial and early American literature, with emphasis on such writers as Bradstreet, Taylor, Edwards and Franklin.

ENG 318 - American Literature 1820 - 1865 (4)
Studies in American prose and poetry of the pre-Civil War period, with emphasis on such writers as Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville, Thoreau, and Whitman.

ENG 319 - American Literature 1865 - 1920 (4)
Studies in American prose and poetry from the Civil War through World War I, with emphasis on such writers as Twain, James and Dickinson.

ENG 320 - American Literature 1920 - 1950 (4)
Studies in American literature of the modern period.

ENG 324 - Issues in American Literature (4)
Study of literary works ranging across period and/or genre in their relation to a central issue, theme or problem in American literature. Representative topics are romanticism, the Puritan tradition, American humor, and the writer and American society.

ENG 332 - Modern Fiction (4)
Studies in fiction in the first half of the 20th century. This course may emphasize British, American or international fiction in any given semester.

ENG 333 - Modern Poetry (4)
Studies in poetry since the turn of the century. The course may emphasize American or British in any given semester or discuss international currents in modern poetry.

ENG 340 - Studies in Contemporary Literature (4)
Literature since World War II. This course may emphasize a particular theme, genre or nationality.

ENG 341 - Selected Ethnic Literature (4)
Reading and critical analysis of representative selections from American ethnic literature. Special attention to groupings such as American-Jewish and Native American at discretion of the instructor. This course satisfies the university ethnic diversity requirement.

ENG 342 - The African American Experience in Literature (4)
Study of African American literary history, including the evolution of form through slave narrative, sentimental fiction, political protest, to contemporary writing; authors may include Douglass, Jacobs, Chesnutt, DuBois, Hughes, Ellison, Petry, and Morrison.

ENG 350 - Topics in Film (4)
Topic or problem to be selected by instructor. May be repeated under a different subtitle.

ENG 354 - British Medieval Literature (4)
Development of Old and Middle English literature to about 1500. Emphasis on the major works from Beowulf to Chaucer and Malory.

ENG 355 - British Literature of the Renaissance (4)
Literature from about 1500 to 1660. Emphasis on the development of the sonnet and lyric, drama, prose and epic. Consideration of such major authors as Sidney, Donne, Shakespeare and Milton.

ENG 356 - British Literature from the Restoration to Romanticism (4)
From 1660 to the Romantic revolution of the early 19th century. Consideration of such major authors as Dryden, Swift, Pop, Johnson, Burns, Blake and Wordsworth.

ENG 357 - British Literature of the Victorian and Early Modern Periods (4)
From the Victorians to the 1920s. Among the major authors to be considered are Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Carlyle, Rossetti, Hopkins, Shaw and Yeats.

ENG 358 - British Literature of the Modern Period (4)
British literature of the first half of the 20th century.

ENG 379 - The English Novel (4)
A study of the origin and development of the English novel from its beginnings to the early 20th century. Among the novelists to be considered are Fielding, Richardson, Austen, Dickens, Conrad, Lawrence and Joyce.

ENG 375 - Studies in Modern Literature (4)
Literature of the first half of the 20th century. This course may emphasize a particular theme, genre or nationality.

ENG 376 - History of the English Language (4)
A detailed survey of the English language from its beginning to modern times.

ENG 380 - Advanced Writing (4)
Emphasis on techniques of persuasion including analysis, argument and the study of rhetorical context.

ENG 381 - Scientific and Technical Writing (4)
Writing to diverse audiences about scientific and technological subjects in formats such as articles, essays and reports.

ENG 382 - Business Writing (4)
Instruction, practice and technique in writing business communications (resumes, letters, memoranda and reports).

ENG 383 - Workshop in Fiction (4)
Creative writing workshop, with emphasis on narrative.

ENG 384 - Workshop in Poetry (4)
Creative writing workshop, with emphasis on both traditional and experimental poetic forms.

ENG 385 - Interdisciplinary Issues (4)
The relationship of literature and literary study to one or more complementary academic disciplines, such as art, history, religion and the social sciences.

ENG 386 - Workshop in Creative Non-Fiction (4)
Creative writing workshop, with emphasis on stories of real life, balancing artistry and accuracy. May include the personal essay, autobiography or travel literature.

ENG 390 - Literary Theory, Ancient to Early Modern (4)
The development of literary theory, presented as a survey. Applications of theory in critical practice will be considered.

ENG 391 - Literary Theory, Early Modern to Present (4)
The development of literary theory, presented as a survey. Applications of theory in critical practice will be considered.

ENG 392 - Film Theory and Criticism (4)
Study of major critical approaches to film such as those of Eisenstein, Kracauer, Arnheim, Bazin, Sarris and Metz.
Prerequisite : A course in film.

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ENG 400 - Advanced Topics in Literature and Language (4)
Advanced topics and problems selected by the instructor.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 401 - Studies in Literary Kinds (4)
The study of a single literary kind, whether genre (such as novel, lyric or drama) or mode (such as tragedy or comedy). May be repeated under different subtitle.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 410 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction (4)
Creative writing workshop in fiction.
Prerequisite : ENG 383 and permission of instructor.

ENG 411 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry (4)
Creative writing workshop in poetry.
Prerequisite : ENG 384 and permission of instructor.

ENG 451 - Major American Writers (4)
Studies in one or two American writers to be selected by the instructor. May be repeated for credit with different writers.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 452 - Major British Writers (4)
Studies in one or two British writers to be selected by the instructor. May be repeated for credit with different writers.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 453 - Studies in Major Authors (4)
Intensive study of a selected group of authors: British, American or both. May be repeated for credit with different writers.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 465 - Shakespeare (4)
Analysis of four or five of the plays.
Prerequisite : Four courses in English.

ENG 490 - Studies in Literary Theory and Research (4)
Designed to acquaint students with the application of tools, techniques and materials of literary scholarship. Especially recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate studies in English.
Prerequisite: Four courses in English.

ENG 491 - Internship (4)
Practical experience in appropriate work position at an approved site, correlated with directed study assignments. In the semester prior to enrollment, the student will plan the internship in conjunction with the instructor and with the approval of the department chair. A final analytical paper will be required. May be repeated once in a different setting for elective credit only. Prerequisites: 16 credits in English, of which at least 8 must be at the 300-400 level, and permission of the instructor and the department chair.

ENG 498 - The Theories of Teaching Literature, Language and Composition
Designed for the future teacher of English, this course focuses on materials and methods for teaching English in junior and senior high schools. Offered only during winter semester.
Prerequisite: English and language arts secondary education majors and minors only.

ENG 499 - Independent Study (2 or 4)
A proposed course of study must be submitted to the prospective instructor in the semester before the independent study is to be taken. Only 8 credits of 499 may apply toward the major, and only 4 credits may apply toward the minor. May be elected on an S/U basis.
Prerequisite: Four courses in English and the permission of the instructor.

ENG 500 - Advanced Topics in Literature and Language (1 to 4)
Special topics and problems selected by the instructor. Not a core course.

ENG 510 - The Teaching of Literature and Composition (4)
Focus on pedagogy, emphasizing practical applications to literature, language and composition.

ENG 515 - Summer Workshop (1 to 4)
Concentrated four-week workshops on literature, language, writing and other topics of interest to high school teachers and post-baccalaureate students. See listing above on "Summer Workshops."

ENG 533 - Critical Theory and Practice
Introduction to critical methodology, emphasizing practical applications. Required of all students.

ENG 534 - Language History
An intensive study of the development of standard English through an examination of texts that are representative of Early Modern English, Middle English and Old English.

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LITERARY HISTORY

ENG 543 - Early British (4)
The course will concentrate on some period of British literary history before the 18th century. Emphasis on concepts, approaches, methodology appropriate to the literary historian. Literature in historical perspective, and in cultural and social contexts.

ENG 544 - Later British (4)
The course will concentrate on some period of literary history from the the 18th century to the present. Emphasis on concepts, approaches, methodology appropriate to the literary historian. Literature in historical perspective, and in cultural and social contexts.

ENG 545 - American (4)
The course will concentrate on some period of American literary history. Emphasis on concepts, approaches, methodology appropriate to the literary historian. Literature in historical perspective, and in cultural and social contexts.

ENG 546 - Special Topics (4)
As designated by the instructor.

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LITERARY KINDS

ENG 563 - Fiction (4)
Studies of the novel and/or shorter fiction, including definitions of the form and attention to variations among different examples of the form.

ENG 564 - Drama (4)
Studies of drama including definitions of the form and attention to variations among different examples of the form.

ENG 565 - Poetry (4)
Studies of poetry including definitions of the form and attention to variations among different examples of the form.

ENG 566 - Modes or Special Forms (4)
Studies of a particular mode (such as comedy, tragedy, satire, romance) or of an approach to literature through modes; or studies of another form such as film, biography, nonfictional prose and folklore.

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SEMINARS (Prerequisite: Completion of the Literary Studies Core)

ENG 600 - Studies in Language and Literature (4)
Special topics and problems as selected by the instructor.

ENG 640 - Studies in American Literature: Focus Pre-Civil War (4)

ENG 641 - Studies in American Literature: Focus Post-Civil War (4)

ENG 642 - Studies in Old and Middle English Literature (4)

ENG 643 - Studies in Renaissance Literature (4)

ENG 644 - Studies in Eighteenth Century Literature (4)

ENG 645 - Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature (4)

ENG 646 - Studies in Modern Literature (4)

ENG 647 - Studies in the Structure of English (4)

ENG 648 - Studies in Literary Theory (4)

ENG 680 - Children's Literary Project (4)
Restricted to qualified students in the Children's Literature minor specialization for Ph.D. in Reading.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.