Composition and Literature
ENGL 102 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Fulfills the general education requirements in communications or arts and humanities.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112. Further practice in writing using readings in literature. Focus is on academic writing forms, especially critical analysis of literature, through a variety of modes, such as comparison and contrast, classification, and causal analysis. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 102 or ENGL 292.
Introduction to Mythology
ENGL 103 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Formerly HUMN 103.) A foundation in ancient mythology, focusing on Greek and Roman myths. Discussion may also cover Norse, Irish, Chinese, Arabic, and Hindu myths, among others. Emphasis is on examining various classical myths as expressed through plays, poems, and stories. The objective is to demonstrate an understanding of the differences between myths, legends, and other similar genres and show how classical world mythology still influences contemporary society. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 103 or HUMN 103.
Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
ENGL 240 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama, with an emphasis on developing critical reading and writing skills. The objective is to identify and define elements of literature and literary genres, analyze literary texts using principles of close reading, and demonstrate skill in academic writing. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 240 or ENGL 340.
Introduction to Women's Literature
ENGL 250 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An overview of multiple forms of writings by and about women from various periods and cultures. The aim is to read critically, understand diverse perspectives, and write effectively about women's literature.
Standard English Grammar
ENGL 281 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Fulfills the general education requirement in communications but is not a writing course.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An overview of standard edited English, a standard central to academic and professional communications. The aim is to write clear, effective prose consistent with the writer's goals. Topics include applying advanced grammatical and linguistic descriptions and prescriptions and attending to the needs of diverse audiences while making writing and editing decisions. Tasks focus on parts of speech, sentence patterns, and sentence transformations. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 281, ENGL 281X, or WRTG 288.
Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 294 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An introductory survey and practical study of key aspects of literary writing. The objective is to produce original creative writing and to critique, revise, and edit that writing from a writer's perspective. Constructive, collaborative processes are employed to better understand the art and craft of creative writing. Topics may include poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama.
Critical Approaches to Literature
ENGL 303 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Designed as a foundation for other upper-level literature courses.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of the techniques of literary criticism, emphasizing close reading, critical thinking, and critical writing. The goal is to apply a variety of theoretical approaches to literature, analyze texts, and create professional written communications.
Renaissance Literature
ENGL 310 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of major British authors and literary works from the English Renaissance period. The goal is to gain historical perspective and discern contemporary relevance by exploring social and cultural contexts.
The Long 18th-Century British Literature
ENGL 311 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of major British authors and literary works from the period known as the long 18th century, roughly from Restoration through the Age of Sensibility (1660-1830s). The goal is to gain historical perspective and discern contemporary relevance by exploring social and cultural contexts.
19th-Century British Literature
ENGL 312 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of major British authors and literary works from the historical eras known as Romantic Age and Victorian Age. The goal is to gain historical perspective and discern contemporary relevance by exploring social and cultural contexts.
African American Authors from the Colonial Era to 1900
ENGL 363 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An examination of African American authors before 1900, including Phillis Wheatley, Frances Harper, Maria W. Stewart, David Walker, Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, Charles Chesnutt, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. The goal is to research historical issues; integrate findings into discussion; and articulate, develop, and advance a persuasive argument in written form.
African American Authors from 1900 to Present
ENGL 364 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An examination of early 20th-century to early 21st- century African American authors, including James Weldon Johnson, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Ann Petry, Helene Johnson, Dorothy West, and Langston Hughes. The goal is to research historical issues; integrate findings into discussion; and articulate, develop, and advance a persuasive argument in written form. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 364 or HUMN 364.
Special Topics in Creative Writing
ENGL 381 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of special creative writing topics. The goal is to develop creative writing skills within the scope of the special topic. Focus may be on a specific format (such as the novella, novel, or screenplay) or genre (such as mystery, horror, or teen fiction; travel writing; or epic poetry). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits when topics differ.
Advanced Grammar and Style
ENGL 384 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Fulfills the general education requirement in communications but is not a writing course.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An examination of the basic units of grammatical descriptions, the nature of grammatical categories and structure, the methods, and reasons for creating and using those structures, and the application of grammatical concepts to editorial and written style. The focus is on creating dynamic texts that convey complex subject matter to diverse audiences. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 384 or WRTG 388.
History of the English Language
ENGL 386 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An examination of the development and usage of the English language. The objective is to explore various texts and research tools to examine the linguistic heritage and continuing evolution of English. Discussion traces the history of English from its origins and examines contemporary issues and controversies.
Special Topics in English Literature
ENGL 389 | 1 - 3 Credits
Course Desc: An in-depth introduction to literary works written by a specific author or authors, representative of a literary movement or produced in a specific time or place. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for a given topic in either ENGL 289 or ENGL 389 only once.
Shakespeare Studies
ENGL 406 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. An intensive study of Shakespeare's work and its continuing relevance with reference to historically specific social and cultural contexts. The objective is to evaluate and synthesize source materials, apply critical theory, and demonstrate understanding of dramatic text. Histories, comedies, tragedies, romances, and sonnets may be examined. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ENGL 406 or HUMN 440.
Major British Writers Before 1800
ENGL 418 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A comprehensive and intensive study of one or two British writers from the period before 1800. The aim is to apply critical reading and thinking skills to analyze and interpret major British works before 1800 from various perspectives (social, historical, political, intellectual, and biographical). Authors studied may include Chaucer, Spenser, Marlowe, Jonson, Milton, Defoe, Richardson, Fielding, Pope, Swift, or Johnson. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits when topics differ.
Early American Literature
ENGL 430 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of early American literature. The aim is to examine literary periods, movements, and styles; interpret literature as a reflection of national and world events; recognize the differences among types of American literary works; and apply critical methodology. Topics include Indigenous narratives, revolution and government, American romanticism, slavery, women's rights, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and naturalism and realism.
Modern American Literature
ENGL 433 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A study of modernist American fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. The goal is to interpret and analyze literature in its social and historical contexts. Topics include the literary movement of modernism and application of critical theory.
Major American Writers
ENGL 439 | 1 - 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or equivalent. A study of works by selected American authors from the colonial period to the present. The goal is to understand the place these authors and their works hold in the canon of American literature. Emphasis is on the impact of historical and social events, as well as biographical influences, on the literature. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits when topics differ.
Postmodern American Literature: 1945 to 1999
ENGL 441 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A comprehensive study of literature in America from 1945 till the end of the 20th century. The objective is to interpret American literature as a reflection of national and world events, recognize the differences among types of American literary works, and apply critical methodology. Topics include the American Dream; war; fear and paranoia; rebellion and counterculture; civil rights, feminist, and gay movements; postmodernism; and multiculturalism.
Contemporary Global Literatures
ENGL 459 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 112 or ENGL 102. A synthesis and application of knowledge and skills developed by previous study in the discipline. The goal is to refine skills and explore ways that they may be applied after graduation. Focus is on reviewing and revising previously written papers and/or projects to create a comprehensive portfolio. Assignments include the creation of the portfolio and writing original papers on one's professional postgraduate objectives and the current status of the discipline.
English Literature Capstone
ENGL 495 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisites: ENGL 250, ENGL 303, and at least 9 additional credits of upper-level ENGL courses. An advanced examination of contemporary literary texts written by diverse writers that addresses the connections between geographical regions, history, and social justice. Literature studied will be of varied genres, including poetry, fiction, memoir, with some in multimedia form. Students will study canonical and emerging writers to understand established and current discourse in the field. The goal is to demonstrate critical, interpretative, and analytical skills in reading and writing as well as apply contemporary theory. Writers covered may vary from term to term.