All literature courses fulfill the general university core requirement in literature.
The following courses were designed for students who are not English majors, and for students considering an English major, to satisfy the general university requirement in literature. Upper- division courses in literature offered by the Department of English will satisfy the general university requirement in literature as well, but the following courses are particularly recommended. These lower-division courses in literature give primary attention to the act of reading in different contexts and genres. The courses emphasize for students the ways in which framing the reading experience by different kinds of questions reveals different texts, and enriches the imaginative experience of reading, leading more to insight on the part of the reader than final answers.
Designed particularly for upper-division students, usually but not exclusively with the major in mind.
ENGL 213: Topics in Literature: Themes and Authors – LT
A variable-content course that focuses on the act of reading and interpreting texts. (4)
ENGL 214: Poetry – LT
A study of poems and conventions of poetry from the classics to modern projective verse. (4)
ENGL 215: Fiction – LT
Examines the development of short fiction, concentrating on themes
and techniques of the genre. Stresses the Euro-American tradition. (4)
ENGL 216: Topics in Literature: Emphasis on Cross-Cultural Perspectives – C, LT
A
variable-content course that focuses on literature form
non-Euro-American socieites. Because course topics may vary
considerably, course may be repeated for credit with approval of
department chair. (4)
ENGL 217: Topics in Literature: Emphasis on Alternative Perspectives – A, LT
A variable-content course that focuses on literature that
fosters an awareness and understanding of diversity in the United
States. Because course topics may vary considerably, courses may be
repeated for credit with approval of department chair. (4)
ENGL 218: Drama – LT
An introduction to the basic elements of drama (plot, character, language) and on the traditional genres (tragedy, comedy). (4)
ENGL 221: Research and Writing – WR
Strategies for writing academic research papers are practiced,
including developing appropriate research topics, locating and using a
variety of relevant sources, substantiating generalizations, and using
paraphrase and citation accurately. (2 or 4)
ENGL 224: Travel Writing – WR
Writing about travel, while traveling or upon return. Students keep
travel journals, produce short travel essays, and read selected travel
writers. (4)
ENGL 225: Autobiographical Writing – WR
Reading autobiography and writing parts of one's own, with an
emphasis on how writing style and personal identity complement each
other. (4)
ENGL 227: Imaginative Writing I – WR
A beginning workshop in writing poetry or short fiction. Includes a
study of techniques and forms to develop critical standards and an
understanding of the writing process. Prerequisite: WRIT 101 or its
equivalent, Advanced Placement, or consent of instructor.(4)
ENGL 230: Contemporary Literature – LT
Emphasis on the diversity of new voices in American fiction such as
Toni Morrison, Leslie Silko, Nicholson Baker, Joyce Carol Oates, Cormac
McCarthy, and Amy Tan, from the emergence of post-modernism to the most
important current fiction. (4)
ENGL 231: Masterpieces of European Literature – LT
Representative works of classical, medieval, and early Renaissance literature. Cross-listed with CLAS 231. (4)
ENGL 232: Women's Literature – A, LT
An introduction to fiction, poetry, and other literatures by women
writers. Includes an exploration of women's ways of reading and
writing. (4)
ENGL 233: Post-Colonial Literature – C, LT
Writers from Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the
Caribbean confront the legacy of colonialism from an insider's
perspective. Emphasis on fiction. (4)
ENGL 234: Environmental Literature – LT
Examines representations of nature in literature, and the ways in
which humans define themselves and their relationship with nature
through those representations. Focuses on major texts from various
cultures and historical periods. Includes poetry, fiction, and
non-fiction. (4)
ENGL 239: Environment and Culture
Study of the ways in which environmental issues are shaped by human
culture and values. Major conceptions of nature, including non-Western
perspectives and issues in eco-justice. Critical evaluations of
literature, arts, ethics, conceptual frameworks, history, and spirituality. Cross-listed with RELI 239. (4)
ENGL 241: American Traditions in Literature – LT
Selected themes that distinguish American literature from British
traditions, from colonial or early national roots to current branches:
for example, confronting the divine, inventing selfhood, coping with
racism. (4)
ENGL 251: British Traditions in Literature – LT
Selected themes that define British literature as one of the great
literatures of the world, from Anglo-Saxon origins to post-modern
rebellions: for example, identity, society, and God; love and desire;
industry, science, and culture. (4)
ENGL 301: Shakespeare – LT
Study of representative works of the great poet as a central figure in the canon of English literature. (4)
ENGL 311: The Book in Society
A critical study of the history of book culture and the role of books in modern society. Cross-listed with COMA 321. (4)
ENGL 312: Publishing Procedures
A workshop introduction to the world of book publishing, involving
students in decisions about what to publish and how to produce it. Cross-listed with COMA 322. (4)
ENGL 313: The Art of the Book I
This studio course explores the history, aesthetics, and
creative dimensions of book design and typography. Cross-listed with
ARTD 331. (4)
ENGL 314: The Art of the Book II
Individual projects in typography and fine bookmaking. (4)
ENGL 323: Writing in Professional Settings – WR
Students working in professional settings analyze the rhetorical demands of their job-related writing. (4)
ENGL 324: Free-Lance Writing – WR
A workshop in writing for publication, with primary emphasis on the feature article. (4)
ENGL 325: Personal Essay – WR
Students write essays on topics of their choice, working particularly on voice and style. (4)
ENGL 326: Writing for Children – WR
A workshop in writing fiction and non-fiction for children and
teenagers, with an introduction to the varieties of contemporary
children's literature. (4)
ENGL 327: Imaginative Writing II – WR
An advanced workshop in writing poetry or short fiction. Some
attention will be given to procedures for submitting manuscript for
publication. (4)
ENGL 328: Advanced Composition for Teachers – WR
Students are introduced to philosophical, social, and pragmatic
issues confronting teachers of writing. Required for certification by
the School of Education and Movement Studies. (4)
ENGL 333: Children's Literature – LT
An introduction to a rich literary tradition, with analysis in depth
of such authors as H.C. Anderson, Tolkien, Lewis, Potter, Wilder, and
LeGuin. (4)
ENGL 334: Special Topics in Children's Literature – LT
Content varies each year. Possible topics include genres, themes,
historical periods, and traditions. May be repeated for credit with
different topic. (4)
ENGL 335: Fairy Tales and Fantasy – LT
Fairy tales are told and interpreted; interpretive models and
theories from several psychological traditions are explored. Fantasy is
looked at both as image and as story. (4)
ENGL 341: Feminist Approaches to Literature – A, LT
Introduction to a variety of feminisms in contemporary theory as
frameworks for reading feminist literature and for approaching
traditional literature from feminist positions. (4)
ENGL 343: Voices of Diversity: Post-Colonial Literature and Theory – C, LT
Introduces perspectives of post-colonial theorists as a framework
for understanding the relationship of colonialism and its legacies to
the works of writers from Africa, the Caribbean, and other ex-colonial
territories. (4)
ENGL 351: English Medieval Literature – LT
A survey of the first two periods of English literature: Old
English, including the epic Beowulf, and Middle English, ranging from
the romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the beginnings of
English drama in Everyman. (4)
ENGL 352: Chaucer – LT
A study of Geoffrey Chaucer's major works, especially The Canterbury
Tales and Troilus and Criseyde, and of the intellectual, social, and
political circumstances of their production in 14th-century England. (4)
ENGL 353: English Renaissance Literature – LT
Studies the Golden Age of English literature. Selected poets from
Wyatt to Marvell, including Sidney, Spenser, Shakespeare, Donne, and
Jonson; selected playwrights from Kyd to Webster; selected prose from
More to Bacon and Browne. (4)
ENGL 361: Restoration and 18th-Century Literature – LT
Surveys the lively drama, neoclassical poetry, gothic fiction, and
early novel of a period marked by religious controversy and
philosophical optimism. (4)
ENGL 362: Romantic and Victorian Literature – LT
A survey of the richly varied writers of 19th-century England seen
in the context of a rapidly changing social reality-from romantic
revolutionaries and dreamers to earnest cultural critics and
myth-makers. (4)
ENGL 367: 20th-Century British Literature – LT
A survey of England's literary landscape from the rise of modernism
through mid-century reactions to contemporary innovations. (4)
ENGL 371: Studies in American Literature, 1820-1920 – LT
The mutual influence of literary traditions and American culture in idealism, realism, and naturalism. (4)
ENGL 372: 20th-Century American Poetry – LT
Major voices in American poetry from Frost and Eliot, Williams and Pound, through the post-war generation to recent poets. (4)
ENGL 373: 20th-Century American Fiction and Drama – LT
Major authors and forms, both conventional and experimental. (4)
ENGL 374: American Ethnic Literatures – A, LT
Attention to the literatures and popular traditions of America's
ethnic communities. Includes African and Asian Americans, Native
Americans and Latino/as. (4)
ENGL 387: Topics in Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture
Provides writers with a grounding in Rhetoric, the art of shaping
discourse to respond to cultural context and to produce cultural and
social effects. Strategies for generating discourse, appealing to
audiences, and crafting a style will be studied in light of their
historical origins, theoretical assumptions, social and ethical
implications, and practical utility. Recommended for writing majors. (4)
ENGL 403: The English Language
Studies in the structure and history of English, with emphasis on syntactical analysis and issues of usage. (4)
ENGL 421: Tutorial in Writing – WR
Guided work in an individual writing project. A plan of study must
be approved before the student may register for the course. (1-4)
ENGL 425: Writing on Special Topics – SR, WR
Writing in a wide range of academic and creative genres determined
by their particular educational goals, students will shape their papers
to meet the rhetorical demands of publications relevant to their
academic or professional future. (4)
ENGL 427: Imaginative Writing III – SR, WR
An advanced workshop in writing poetry or short fiction. Some attention will be given to procedures for submitting manuscript for publication. For seniors only. (4)
ENGL 428: Seminar: Critical Theory – LT, SR
Issues in literary studies and in rhetorical theory are discussed in
relationship to influential movements such as reader-response, cultural
studies, feminism, and deconstruction. Recommended for prospective
graduate students. (4)
ENGL 451: Seminar: Author – LT, SR
Concentrated study of the work, life, influence, and critical
reputation of a major author in the English-speaking world. The course
includes careful attention to the relations of the author to cultural
contexts, the framing of critical approaches through literary theory,
substantial library research, and a major writing project. (4)
ENGL 452: Seminar: Theme, Genre – LT, SR
Concentrated study of a major literary theme or genre, as it might
appear in various periods, authors, and cultures. The course includes
careful attention to practical criticism, the framing of critical
approaches through literary theory, substantial library research, and a
major writing project. (4)
ENGL 491: Independent Studies
An intensive course in reading. May include a thesis. Intended for upper-division majors. (4)
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