English

Professor Susan Schneibel,, Chair, Division of Languages and Literature

The Major in Literature in English or the Major in Writing/Communication are recommended for a variety of careers. The skills emphasized in organized thinking, writing, and research prepare the student not only for teaching and for the many branches of editing and publishing but also for other professions such as law, librarianship, and the ministry. These same skills are in demand in business and industry, where leadership positions go to those who can think logically and express themselves clearly.

The Major in Literature in English requires a minimum of 49 hours, including 39 hours in English, 10 hours in related fields. Courses required are English 162, 311, 351, 352, and Humanities 201 and 347. Three hours are selected from English 221 or 242 and three hours from English 222 or 241; one course from 331, 333, and 334 is required; one course from 332, 335, and 336; and one additional course in literature at the 300-level. The additional hours are to be selected from catalogue offerings under English, excluding English 216, 217, 315, and 317, which primarily serve the Writing/Communication major. One course, however, chosen from 213, 214, 314 may count for credit in the Literature in English major. Two related-required courses are to be chosen from History 111, 112, 203, 242, 243, 248, 321, 342; Religion 344; and Philosophy 205, 206, 207.

The Major in English for Teacher Licensure requires a minimum of 43 hours, including 36 hours in English, 4 hours in Humanities, and 3 hours in a related field. Required courses are English 162, 219, 311, 312, 351-52, and Humanities 201 and 347. Three hours are selected from English 221 or 242 and three hours from English 222 or 241; one course from 331, 333, and 334 is required; one course from 332, 335, and 336 is also required. Six additional hours are to be selected from catalogue offerings under English, excluding 216, 217, 315, and 317, which primarily serve the Major in Writing/Communication. One course, however, chosen from 213, 214, 314 may count for credit in the Major in English for Teacher Licensure. One related courses is to be chosen from History 111, 112, 203, 242, 243, and 248. Additional liberal studies requirements are Psychology 101 and Sociology 271. Students pursuing this track must complete 29 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed under Education in this catalog.

The Major in Teaching English as a Second Language is offered as an initial endorsement teacher licensure program for teaching pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The major is interdisciplinary. Major requirements are listed under Teaching English as a Second Language in this catalog.

The Major in Writing/Communication requires a minimum of 46 hours, including 42 hours in English and 4 hours in Humanities. Required courses are English 162, 216 (3 credits required), 217, 311, either 337 or 343, 351-52, and Humanities 201 and 347. Two courses are chosen from English 213, 214, 219, and two courses are chosen from English 314, 315, and 317. Students pursuing the internship option take 3 hours in literature courses of their choice; students pursuing the practicum option take 9 hours in literature courses of their choice. All writing/communication majors are strongly encouraged to minor in an area that will give them a degree of expertise in a field other than English.

The Minor in Literature in English requires the completion of 15 hours of English, including English 162. On the basis of the student’s particular interest, courses may be chosen from other literature offerings, History 248, English 213, 214 and 219.

The Minor in English for Add-On Teaching Endorsement requires the completion of 15 hours of English, including English 162, 219, 221, 222, and either 241 or 242.

The Minor in Writing/Communication requires 15 hours in writing, including English 216 (3 credits required) and four courses chosen from English 213, 214, 217, 219, 314, 315, and 317.

Course Descriptions

162. Interpreting Literature
3 credit hours
Co-requisite: Composition 120
A genre approach with concentration on the forms of the short story, drama and poetry. The course is designed to cultivate skills in analysis and appreciation of works ranging from the classical Greek to the contemporary American and Continental. Through class discussion and oral and written reports the students model processes by which literature is taught and meaning enhanced.
208. Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
A close analysis of modern fantasy with attention paid to the formal structures of the genre and its roots in the romance tradition. The emphasis is on such writers as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Ursula Le Guin, and Isaac Asimov.
212. Children’s Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
An introduction to children’s literature, with attention devoted to picture books, adolescent and intermediate fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Specific topics discussed include literary styles, genres, the relationship of art and text, historical development of literature for children, criteria for evaluating contemporary literature, and ways of creating classroom experiences.
213. Creative Writing: Poetry
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
Students write poetry, including assignments on specific topics and poetic forms. Class work includes practice in-group critiques, discussion of assigned works, and oral presentation of students’ poetry.
214. Creative Writing: Fiction
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
Students write short fiction, including one critical/analytical essay/oral report on a fiction writer of each student’s choosing. The class includes writing exercises, in-class group critiques of student work, discussion of assigned works, and individual conferences. The course culminates in a class presentation/reading of revised, selected fiction.
216. Publications
1 credit hour
Prerequisite: Composition 120
Working as a staff member on the Highland Echo or Impressions. This course can be taken for a maximum of four credit hours, at one credit hour per semester for service on the Highland Echo staff. For service on the Impressions staff, one may receive a maximum of two credit hours, at one credit hour per academic year. (This assumes a full nine months service). This course is offered on a S/U basis only.
217. Journalism
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
An introduction to writing and editing for the print media, including focus on reporting and writing, as well as on editing, layout and design.
219. Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
A course in rhetoric and writing conventions based on a study of grammar and syntax. This course is designed to provide the student with rhetorical options based on an understanding of the function of sentence parts in their relation to one another and to meaning.
221. American Literature: Puritan Through Romantic
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
An examination of the literary expressions of culture in America from the early Puritans through the Civil War. Special attention is paid to the coming of age of American literature in the mid-nineteenth century, with emphasis on the concept of self, transcendentalism, the frontier, and the meaning of symbol.
222. American Literature: Realism to the Present
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
An examination of the literary expressions of culture in America from Reconstruction through the 20th century, emphasizing shifting definitions of America and conflict within American culture over that time period.
241. Survey of British Literature I
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Composition 120 and FRS 140
A study of works by major British authors, ranging from the Old English period through the eighteenth century. By providing an overview of the development of the British literary tradition, the course will enable students to situate works studied in advanced and period-specific courses within a broad context. Authors to be studied may include Chaucer, Langland, Spenser, Shakespeare, Milton, Dryden, Swift, Pope, and Johnson.
242. Survey of British Literature II
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Composition 120 and FRS 140
A study of works by major British authors, ranging from the romantic period through the postmodern. By providing an overview of the development of British literary tradition, the course will enable students to situate works studied in advanced and period-specific courses within a broad context. Authors to be studied may include Blake, Austen, Wordsworth, the Brontes, Woolf, Yeats, Joyce, and Lessing.
311. History of the English Language
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
The history and development of the English language based on textual analysis of Old, Middle, and Early Modern English.
312. Linguistic Theory and Second Language Acquisition
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: English 219
Basic principles of linguistics, especially those pertaining to second language acquisition. A survey of the components of language such as syntax, semantics, morphology and phonology, and all major subfields of linguistics such as psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics. Studying relationships among psychological, social, and cultural issues that impact second language acquisition.
314. Creative Nonfiction
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and one course from English 213, 214, or 217
An advanced study of a large body of peer and professional writing that builds upon requisite critical skills. Students will produce fact-based creative writing, including one major critical/analytical essay/oral report on a write of choice. Class will include writing exercises, in-class group critiques of student work, discussion of assigned works and individual conferences.
315. Business and Technical Writing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
The study and practice of formats for business, scientific, and technical writing used in corporate and government contexts. Practice in information gathering, writing, editing, and speaking is emphasized in both individual and group work.
317. Public Relations Writing and Practice
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
An introduction to a variety of public relations writing styles, including copy for newsletters, brochures, news releases, and speeches. Lecture/discussion sessions provide an overview of public relations principles and theory. The course builds toward a public relations campaign as the major final project.
322. Advanced Studies in American Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
The course examines selected authors, periods and/or genres for thematic, formal, historical, and cultural issues. Course content and focus will vary.
331. Chaucer in Middle English
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
The major works of Chaucer read in Middle English, with lectures on the historical and literary backgrounds and on other important works of the Medieval Period, such as Piers Plowman, The Pearl, The Wakefield Cycle, and medieval lyrics.
332. Shakespeare
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
A study of Shakespeare’s plays, with equal emphasis on the comedies, tragedies, and histories as well as attention to the literary and historical backgrounds of the period.
333. English Literature of the 17th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: English 162 and Literature 270 or 290
A study of the poetry, drama, and prose of the 17th century to the Restoration, focusing on major themes and literary developments in their historical contexts. Special emphasis will be placed on interpretive methods as they apply to some of the major texts of the period.
334. English Literature of the Restoration and 18th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: English 162 and Literature 270 or 290
A study of the poetry, drama, and prose of the “long” 18th century (1660-1815), focusing on major themes and literary developments in their historical contexts. Special emphasis will be placed on interpretive methods as they apply to some of the major texts of the period.
335. English Literature of the 19th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: English 162 and Literature 270 or 290
A study of the poetry and non-fiction prose of the English Romantic and Victorian periods, focusing on major themes in the respective historical periods. Special emphasis will be placed on interpretive methods as they apply to some of the major texts of the period.
336. British and American Literature of the 20th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: English 162 and Literature 270 or 290
A study of selected 20th century British and American authors using multiple interpretive methods. Emphases will include building an understanding of some of the larger literary and theoretical movements of the 20th century through extensive reading of literature and criticism.
337. Internship
7 to 15 credit hours
Prerequisites: English 217, 315, or 317
Field experience that provides an introduction to careers in writing and communications through work on the writing staff of a newspaper, magazine, publishing house, or related enterprise. Internships require a time commitment equivalent to full-time employment, with credit allotted on the basis of one credit hour for each week of full-time involvement. This course is offered on a S/U basis only.
343. Practicum
2 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisite: Composition 120
On- or off-campus experience that provides an introduction to careers in writing and communications. Involvement is expected to be at least three hours of activity per week during the semester for each credit hour earned.
348. The Novel in English
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
A study of the novel from its beginnings in the 18th century to the modern period. While tracing minor streams in fiction such as the epistolary and Gothic, the course concentrates on the major British and American novelists.
349. Selected Topics in Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Course content varies from year to year to meet the special interests, abilities, and needs of advanced students.
351-352. Senior Study
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam, junior standing and Humanities 347
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. The courses involve individual study with the guidance of a faculty supervisor. They are ordinarily taken in the spring term of the junior year and the fall term of the senior year.