Catalog Course Descriptions

[Note: our course numbers are under revision for the planned conversion from our current 3-hour-credit model to 4 hours, to be effective starting Fall 2013. The courses will, however, remain much as they are described here.]

ENG030 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: READING (3). Designed primarily for international students needing assistance with English reading skills. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Does not count toward the number of hours required for graduation.

ENG031 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: WRITING (3). Designed primarily for international students needing assistance with English writing skills. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Does not count toward the number of hours required for graduation.

ENG098 READING WORKSHOP (3). Focuses on the improvement of comprehension in reading. Emphasis is placed on the ability to organize and summarize information presented in reading selections. Reading techniques and methods appropriate to a variety of materials will be explored. Individual conferences deal with individual reading problems. Does not count toward the number of hours required for graduation.

ENG099 INDIVIDUALIZED WRITING PROGRAM (3). Prepares students to enter ENG101. Introduces the writing process with emphasis on organizing standard essays and practicing other forms of academic writing. Laboratory sessions address mechanics and sentence construction. When required, sections may be tailored to the needs of students who speak English as a second language. Does not count toward the number of hours required for graduation. Each Fall/Each Spring.

ENG101 WRITING I (3). Using a variety of writing forms, students develop college-level competencies in reading and writing. The course emphasizes expository and argumentative writing skills appropriate to academic disciplines. Laboratory. Does not count toward an English major or minor. Each Fall/Each Spring.

ENG200 GRAMMAR AND USAGE IN WRITING (3). Presents the terminology traditionally used to describe the structure of Standard English as it is applied to writing. Students receive intensive practice in the analysis of grammar and syntax. Variety in dialects and in audience expectation is addressed as well as repeated drill in written and spoken Standard English. Some emphasis is placed on punctuation and spelling. Each Fall.

ENG201 VARIETIES OF LITERATURE (3). An introduction to literature. Topics vary and may be organized by genre (introduction to poetry, to drama, to fiction. . .) or by theme (African American literature, War and Peace. . .). Emphasis is placed on developing skill in analytical writing about literature. Topics are announced in the semester schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Fall/Each Spring.

ENG201 VARIETIES OF LITERATURE: GENDER AND DIVERSITY ISSUES IN LITERATURE (3). [This section required for the Integrated Language Arts Licensure.] This course studies the diversity of women’s experiences, cultural heritage, racial identification, geographical background, sexual identity, religious practice, and class privilege as they are presented in the fiction, nonfiction, poetry and plays of both western and nonwestern authors. Students should develop an understanding of the history of women’s literary traditions and of the significant writers from each period. Prerequisite: ENG101. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

ENG215 LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS (3). This study of literature for children and young adults surveys the field from traditional origins to modern times. Cultural diverse fiction, nonfiction, poems, and plays written for, by, or about children and young adults are read and/or viewed and critically analyzed. Students develop an understanding of problems posed by stereotyping and censorship. Emphasizes books written and illustrated by authors of diverse gender, ethnicity, race, and religion. The course elicits student responses to the literature to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Fall/Each Spring.

ENG225 VARIETIES OF WRITING (3). Designed for students who wish to emphasize writing and communications in their academic program. Subject matter varies. May be repeated when topics vary. Not a course for students with weak writing skills. Prerequisite: ENG 101. Offered as needed. Offered at branch campuses.

ENG230 AMERICAN LITERATURE I: THE COLONIES TO THE CIVIL WAR (3). This historically organized survey examines the characteristics of American literature in various periods of its development from Native-American narrative and poetry to Emily Dickinson, illustrating the diverse American voices and their seminal traditions of myth, folklore and orature, and providing a framework for further study in this area. Students analyze the representations of American culture, examine the historical and cultural contexts underlying American literature, and interpret the literature in written assignments, oral presentations, and discussion. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Fall.

ENG231 AMERICAN LITERATURE II: THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT (3). In this historically organized survey, students analyze the representations of American culture in literature and examine the emergence of contemporary consciousness in 20th century American writing and culture. Students examine the historical and cultural contexts underlying American literature, and interpret the literature in written assignments, oral presentations, and discussion. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Spring.

ENG307 BRITISH LITERATURE I (3). A historical survey of British literature from the medieval period to 1798. The course covers: the nature of the oral tradition; the blending of languages and culture; manuscript culture and the transition to print culture; the development of drama; the traditions of epic and romance; medieval, Elizabethan, Cavalier, and metaphysical poetry; and the origins of the novel. Students will examine the historical and cultural contexts underlying the literature, and interpret texts through written assignments, discussion, and other activities. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Fall.

ENG308 BRITISH LITERATURE II (3). A historical survey of British literature from 1798 to the twenty-first century. The course covers: the development of the novel; the characteristics of romanticism; the conflicting nature of the Victorian period; and the developments of modernism and post-modernism that mark the twentieth century. Students will examine the historical and cultural contexts underlying literature and interpret texts through written assignments, discussion, and other activities. Prerequisite: ENG101. Each Spring.

ENG320 LITERARY STUDIES (3). A special topics course for upper division students, focusing upon particular themes, or selected authors, periods, or genres. Attention is given to developing advanced literary skills in reading, analyzing, and writing. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

ENG321 CREATIVE WRITING (3). An intensive experience in writing poetry, short stories, or drama. May be repeated when topics vary or with the permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

ENG330 SHAKESPEARE (3). An in-depth study of the plays and sonnets of Shakespeare with emphasis on the great tragedies. Works by Shakespeare's contemporaries may be included. Plays are read closely and analyzed in conjunction with the reading of criticism and theory. Live performances, readings, videos, and electronic resources will be used as appropriate. Students will be expected to write papers which demonstrate an informed close reading of the primary texts, as well as competence in library research and in the evaluation of theoretical and critical approaches. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Each Spring.

ENG331 MAJOR BRITISH AUTHORS (3). An intensive study of a major literary figure, period, theme, or genre. Examples of course titles: "The Twentieth Century", "The Novel", "Romanticism". May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Fall 2005.

ENG342 AMERICAN ETHNIC LITERATURE (3). An exploration of the diversity of American literature. Students address the artistic, political and social concerns of writers who perceive themselves or are perceived to be ethnic writers in the United States and the ways these writers have challenged Americans toward a broader vision of literature, culture, and identity. Introduces students to the traditions, both oral and written, of such groups as Native-Americans, African-Americans, Chicanos, and Asian-Americans. Through writing assignments and discussion students analyze and interpret the literature. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Each Spring.

ENG350 STUDIES IN WRITING (3). Provides an opportunity for advanced study in writing. Topics vary and may include: Advanced Composition, Business Writing, Writing Nonfiction. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Not offered 2005-06.

ENG406 INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS: THE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (3). An introduction to the nature and structure of language with an emphasis on English and the various historical and present-day approaches to the study of English grammar. The course includes such topics as first and second language acquisition and development, linguistic geography, and the origins and nature of dialects. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing, ENG200 and/or ENG307 recommended, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Spring 2006.

ENG409 MAJOR AMERICAN AUTHORS (3). An intensive study of a major literary figure, period, theme, or genre. Writers from all periods and types of American literature may be included; examples of course titles: "Southern American Writers," "The Immigrant Generation," "Mark Twain and his Contemporaries." May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

ENG417 MAJOR WORLD AUTHORS (3). An intensive study of a number of texts of proven universal appeal by male and female authors from a wide range of countries and cultures, both western and nonwestern. Examples of course titles: "Classic Murder Mysteries", "Discovering the Self." May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Each Fall.

ENG450 SENIOR SEMINAR: CRITICAL THEORY AND RESEARCH (3). A capstone course for majors, designed to fulfill the needs of those planning to teach at the secondary level and those going on to graduate studies and to teaching at the college level. The course has two major components: literary theory and criticism and original research from primary sources. In the first, students examine the major theories and learn how they are applied. In the second, they work with a department advisor and, following the practices of genuine scholarly research, investigate their topic thoroughly and produce a thoughtful and original paper. Prerequisite: ENG201, ENG230, ENG231, ENG307, or ENG308, or permission of instructor. Each Fall.

ENG460 INTERNSHIP (1-6). English faculty help students design their own internship experiences with businesses and professional organizations where the skills developed in the English program are particularly relevant. NOTE: A maximum of 3 credit hours of either ENG460 or ENG475 may be applied toward the English major. Specific guidelines for each internship are available in the department. Internships are offered by arrangement, on an individual basis, and must be set up before the beginning of a given term.

ENG475 SPECIAL PRACTICUM (1-3). English faculty offer several on-campus practica including assisting in teaching composition, working for the student newspaper or in the writing center, or in the College Office of Public Relations. NOTE: A maximum of three credit hours of ENG460 or ENG475 may be applied toward the English major. Other specific guidelines and prerequisites for each practicum are available in the area. Practica are offered by arrangement, on an individual basis, and must be set up before the beginning of a given term.