English
Department Writing Program Courses
The English Department's Writing Program is
a three-semester course of studies meant to improve reading
and writing skills by engaging students in serious study of
interdisciplinary issues. The program is meant to advance
the student from the level of writing short essays of description
and narration, through proficiency in reading/writing expository
prose using various rhetorical modes and aims, to the reading
and writing skills required to research, develop and document
a paper responding to a significant question or problem.
Student placement is determined by the student's performance
on the English Placement Exam
or acceptance of appropriate transfer credit.
English 13 English Composition
The first semester concentrates on improving
the student's ability to read, analyze and respond in journal
writing and more formal essays to thematic issues in humanities,
social science and/or natural science.
English 14 English Composition
The second semester concentrates on challenging
and improving the student's ability to read, analyze and respond
in more sophisticated ways to issues in humanities, social
science and/or natural science. Prerequisite: English
13 or placement.
English 16 English Composition
The third semester expands the level and modes
of inquiry to include more complex topics. Points of logic,
substance and responsibility to the reader are emphasized. Prerequisite:
English 14 or placement.
English 13x, 14x, and 16x
English 13x, 14x, and 16x are courses parallel
to English 13, 14, and 16, for non-native speakers who need
additional work in English as a second language.
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Core
Surveys of Literature in English
Any two courses from English 61 through 64
satisfy the Humanities Area I requirement of the core curriculum.
English 61 European Literatures I:
(Beginnings to the Eighteenth Century)
Prerequisite: English 16
An examination of significant works of the
Western tradition from Ancient Greece and Rome and Medieval
and Renaissance Italy, France, Germany and England. Close
intensive readings from a wide representation of texts--epics,
sacred books, poems, plays and tales arranged chronologically
or thematically. All texts read in English.
English 62 European Literatures II:
(From the Eighteenth Century to the Present)
Prerequisite: English 16
An examination of important works of literature
from both Western and Eastern Europe. Close, intensive reading
from a wide representation of texts: novels, poems, plays
and essays arranged chronologically or thematically. All texts
read in English.
English 63 American Literatures
Prerequisite: English 16
The focus of each section concentrates on
the literatures and traditions of the United States from Colonial
times to the present or on a comparison and contrast of literatures
across all the Americas North America, the Caribbean, Latin
America. Arranged chronologically or thematically. All texts
read in English.
English 64 Non-Western Literatures
Prerequisite: English 16
Drawing primarily from among the many literatures
of Africa and Asia, each section focuses on at least two geographical
areas, such as Western Africa, China, India, Japan, Southeast
Asia and the Pacific Islands. Broad sweeps of time may be
covered or specific periods of high cultural achievements
such as the Tang Dynasty, Medieval Japan or West Africa before
the European invasion. All texts read in English.
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Upper-Division
English Courses
English 101 Introduction to English Studies
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Required of all English majors (who are strongly
encouraged to take this course at or near the beginning of
their careers as English majors) and recommended for English
minors, this course explores the following topics: genre definition
and analysis, the construction of the canon, and the contemporary
field of literary studies. The assigned texts represent a
range of genres (poetry, drama, and prose fiction) and are
drawn from more than one chronological period. Students will
also work with analytical essays that introduce them to major
critical approaches in literary studies. These essays are
linked to the primary sources. Throughout the course, rhetorical
issues, both in literary texts and in the students' own writing,
will be discussed. Students should also be introduced to careers
related to the study of literature and rhetoric. Each student
will write a substantial documented essay using both primary
and secondary sources.
English 102 History of Literary Theory
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Readings survey the history of literary theory
from Plato to the present. A wide variety of critical approaches
are discussed, including classicism, neoclassicism, romanticism,
Marxism, the new criticism, structuralism, psychoanalytic
criticism, feminism, gay studies, post-structuralism, ethnic
studies, the new historicism and cultural studies. Subjects
differ from semester to semester. May be taken twice for credit.
English 103 Workshop in the Essay (Same
as Journalism 150)
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
A nonfiction writing workshop in the genre
of the essay. Content open to subjects across the disciplines,
with particular emphasis on the essay as a literary form.
Development of writing techniques through analysis of professional
and student work. Weekly class sessions and frequent conferences
on student work.
English 104 Creative Writing
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An introductory creative-writing workshop.
Students begin to learn and experiment with the art of writing
in various genres, such as poetry, fiction, and playwriting.
Although readings are included, emphasis is on class discussion
of student manuscripts and individual conferences with the
instructor.
English 119 Masterpieces of World Literature
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Reading and discussion of masterpieces of
world literature ranging from Western literature to the literature
of Latin America, the Far East and the Third World. Examples
of works and authors read: The Iliad, Greek tragedies,
Dante, Moliere, Racine, Corneille, Goethe, Mann, The Death
of the Woman Wang, and The Dream of the Red Chamber.
English 126 News Writing (Same as
Journalism 119)
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Introduction to the writing of news stories
studied for their organization, form, style and effectiveness
as expression and communication. In newsroom laboratory sessions,
students apply professional standards to their frequent assignments.
English 128 Early British Literatures
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An exploration of significant texts and topics
in British literature from a period of at least 200 years
prior to 1800, including texts by Chaucer and Shakespeare.
Themes vary from semester to semester and may include topics
such as the Monstrous and the Fantastic, Sexuality and Gender
in Medieval & the Renaissance, or Heroic Identities before
1700.
English 129 Later British Literatures
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An exploration of significant texts and topics
in British literature between 1800 and the present. Themes
vary from semester to semester and may include topics such
as the Age of Revolution, Writing Empire, or (Re)Writing Religion
in Modern British Literature.
English 137 Shakespeare
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
The greatness of Shakespeare explored through
the intensive study of selected plays and poems.
English 140 Major Authors
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
A concentrated study of one or two authors
or a writer and a major school American or British. Topics
may include Chaucer, Jonson, Donne, Wordsworth, Coleridge,
Austen, Woolf and the Bloomsbury Circle, Faulkner, Hemingway,
Wright and the Chicago School, Morrison. Subjects differ from
semester to semester. May be taken twice for credit.
English 150 Studies in Ethnic Literature
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An intensive examination of particular traditions
in literature. Topics may include African-American literature,
Asian-American literature, Jewish literature, Russian literature,
Latino/a literature. Subjects differ from semester to semester.
May be taken twice for credit.
English 158 Early Literatures of the United
States
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An introduction to texts and themes in pre-Civil
War American literature. Themes vary from semester to semester.
Areas of exploration may include: Examining the Frontier,
Slavery and Freedom, American Myths and U.S. Realities.
English 159 Literatures of the United States
Since 1865
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
In this course, texts and themes are drawn
from American literature from the Civil War to the present.
Themes vary from semester to semester. Possible topics include:
Country and City, Representing the Nation, Literature of a
Multicultural United States.
English 160 Gender and Language
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
An examination of the relationship of gender
and sexuality to studies of reading, writing, language use
and language acquisition. Topics may include gender and reading,
lesbian and gay voices, language and gender, queer theory,
images of women in literature, contemporary masculinities,
writing about lesbian and gay issues. Subjects differ from
semester to semester. May be taken twice.
English 165 Poetry Workshop
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64 and English 104 (Creative Writing)
An intensive workshop devoted to writing poetry.
Students will also be required to read selected poetry from
published poets. Class time will be spent critiquing each
other's writing and discussing traditional and experimental
forms and approaches. May be taken twice.
English 166 Fiction Workshop
Prerequisites: Any two courses from English 61-64 and
English 104 (Creative Writing)
An intensive workshop devoted to writing fiction.
Students will also be required to read selected fiction from
published writers. Class time will be spent critiquing each
other's writing and discussing traditional and experimental
forms and approaches. May be taken twice.
English 167 Playwriting Workshop
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64 and English 104 (Creative Writing)
An intensive workshop devoted to writing plays.
Students will also be required to read selected plays from
published playwrights. Class time will be spent critiquing
each other's writing and discussing traditional and experimental
forms and approaches. May be taken
twice.
English 168 Creative Non-Fiction Workshop
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64 and English 103 (Workshop in the
Essay)
An intensive workshop devoted to writing literary
essays. Students will also be required to read selected essays
from published authors. Class time will be spent critiquing
each other's writing and discussing traditional and experimental
forms and approaches. May be taken
twice.
English 169 Non-Western or Post-Colonial
Literature
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
This course focuses on works, in English and
in translation, emerging from non-Western cultures, including
the cultures of Africa, Asia, and South America. Courses in
this category must span a geographical region and a period
of time adequate to address the historical context of the
literature. Themes vary from semester to semester and may
include topics such as: Voices of the African Diaspora, Buddhism
in Asian Literatures, or Post-Colonial Literature and the
Atlantic World.
English 170 Literary Periods and Movements
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
A concentrated study of a particular period
or movement in literary history. The focus may be on a specific
national literature (American or British) or on the theoretical
underpinnings of these movements. Topics may include colonial
encounters, romanticism, the Victorians, realism and naturalism,
modernism, postmodernism. Subjects differ from semester to
semester. May be taken twice for credit.
English 171 Introduction to Classical Rhetoric
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64
Readings survey key figures and texts of the rhetorical traditions
(ancient through Enlightenment). Course work emphasizes mastery
of the material central to the development of the field of
rhetoric.
English 172 Introduction to Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64
Readings survey key figures and texts in contemporary rhetorical
theory (Nineteenth Century to the present). Course work emphasizes
mastery of key rhetorical and theoretical concepts and focuses
on how these theories have been influenced by earlier developments
and how they have influenced current trends.
English 173 Writing in the Community
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64
A writing workshop in which students study the rhetoric and
writing of community-based and other advocacy organizations.
Topics vary from semester to semester and may include rhetorical
analysis of community-based texts and strategies for the production
of a range of writing, such as oral histories, grant proposals
and pamphlets. English majors concentrating in Writing &
Rhetoric may take this class twice for credit.
English 174 Teaching Writing
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64
A seminar in which students survey the history, theories
and practices of teaching writing at the high school and college
levels. Topics vary from semester to semester and may include
the history of writing instruction, composition theories and
pedagogies, literacy theories and research, one-to-one conferencing,
developing and designing curricula and assignments and responding
to student writing. English majors concentrating in Writing
& Rhetoric may take this class twice for credit.
English 175 Writing for the Professions
Prerequisites: Any two courses from
English 61-64
A writing workshop in which students study rhetorical strategies
for professional and technical writing. Topics vary from semester
to semester and may include writing grant proposals, reports,
news releases, editorials, brochures, technical manuals, and
a range of public documents. English majors concentrating
in Writing & Rhetoric may take this class twice for credit.
English 180 Genre Studies
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
A study of a particular genre, offering examples
from a wide range of literary history. Topics may include
autobiography, great essays, the history of the novel, the
making of modern poetry. Subjects differ from semester to
semester. May be taken twice for credit.
English 184 Modern Drama
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
A study of selected nineteenth- and twentieth-century
playwrights, focusing on their investigation of contemporary
issues and problems.
English 187 The Bible as Literature
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
The study of the Bible (in the King James
version) as a work of literature, both for its expressiveness
in language and images and its relation to the standard literary
forms lyric poetry, drama or debate, narrative, etc. Those
features of the Bible that are universal or archetypal in
terms of its symbols or imaginative content. The ideas or
world-view implied in the Bible and their comparisons or contrasts
with those of other civilizations.
English 190 Senior Seminar in Literature
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64 and Permission of English Department
Chair.
English majors concentrating in Literature
pursue independent research projects in the history of literary
studies or critical analysis. Each student develops a substantial
research paper and presents it to the seminar.
English 191 Senior Seminar in Creative
Writing
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64 and Permission of English Department
Chair.
In this capstone course, English majors concentrating
in Creative Writing pursue independent writing projects, resulting
in a portfolio of poems, fiction, plays, or essays.
English 192 Senior Seminar in Writing &
Rhetoric
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64 and Permission of English Department
Chair.
In this capstone course, English majors concentrating
in Writing & Rhetoric apply the rhetorical knowledge and
skills they have mastered in their other courses. Each student
participates in an internship program at a location relevant
to his or her particular professional interests and produces
a final research paper analyzing a field-related issue or
problem through the lens of his or her academic work in writing
and rhetoric.
English 195, 196 Honors Study
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Honors Study is designed to give outstanding
students an opportunity to do independent work in their major
under the guidance of a member of the faculty. To be eligible,
students must have upper-junior or senior status, a cumulative
quality-point ratio of 3.00, a 3.25 ratio in their major subject,
Permission of English Department Chair and Permission
of the Dean. A total of six credits of Honors Study is the
maximum allowed. Three credits per semester.
English 197, 198 Independent Study
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64, Permission of English Department Chair
and Permission of the Dean.
Independent studies in areas of specialized
interest are available. Three credits per semester.
English 200 Series
Prerequisites: Any two courses
from English 61-64
Courses in this series emphasize nontraditional
subject matter and approaches to literature and vary from
semester to semester. Previous topics have included: Asian/Asian-American
Writers, Latin American Women Writers, Science Fiction, Representations
of Women in Literature, Constructions of Masculinity in Black
Literature, Africa in the British Imagination and Hispanic-American
Fiction. May be taken in subsequent semesters for credit when
course content differs.
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