English (ENGL)

ENGL 020 Internship - No Credit 0.0 SH [  ]

Students participate in off-campus professional organizations in work related to the study of English such as publishing, editing, research, or writing.

ENGL 178 Renaissance Themes 3.0 SH [GEH]

This course explores the major themes of Renaissance thought. It includes readings from both Italian and English Renaissance writers.
Class Level Restriction: Freshman and Sophomore only.

ENGL 200 Internship 1.0 SH [  ]

Students participate in off-campus professional organizations in work related to the study of English such as publishing, editing, research, or writing. In addition to this work experience, students will undertake background preparation for the work assignment and reflective writing regarding the work experience.

ENGL 202 Understanding Poetry 3.0 SH [GEH]

Introduces students to a variety of poetic forms and reading strategies specific to poetry. May focus this study on the work of three to five major poets.

ENGL 204 Understanding Short Fiction 3.0 SH [GEH]

This course is designed to equip students with a variety of critical reading strategies as they study short fiction written by major writers from a range of historical periods and cultural backgrounds.

ENGL 220 Environmental Themes 3.0 SH [GEH]

Examines how the representations of the environment in English-language literature shape and reflect human treatment of the natural world. Themes include land use, climate change, sustainability, and ecological justice, alongside theories of environmental aesthetics and ethics. Students will respond to ideas in the course through writing their own poetry and prose. This course may be organized chronologically, regionally, or thematically.

ENGL 230 Literary Themes & Forms 3.0 SH [  ]

Centers upon a literary theme or form at the intermediate level. The contents vary and the title will be extended to briefly describe the topic of form. May be taken four times provided the topics differ.

ENGL 231 Creative Writing Topics 3.0 SH [GEA]

Centers upon a topic for a creative writing course at the intermediate level. The contents vary and the title will be extended to briefly describe the topic. May be taken four times provided the topics differ.

ENGL 232 The Gothic Novel 3.0 SH [GEH]

The study of a specific kind of literature which began to flourish in the middle of the eighteenth century and which remains with us today in horror films and novels. The course traces the development of this literature from its beginnings in sentimentality and basic conventions, through romanticism and the addition of psychological elements, to modern existential and sociological themes.

ENGL 234 The Language of Film 3.0 SH [GEH]

The course serves to acquaint students with basic film theory and terminology as tools for the analysis of film as a type of text.

ENGL 235 Scriptwriting 3.0 SH [GEA]

An exploration into the art and craft of scriptwriting. Students will read scripts, study elements of this writing, and apply this study to their own writing. This course also includes writers’ workshop, in which students critique each other's scripts. The course may include writing for the screen, stage, radio, or podcast. Also listed as MDIA 230 and THEA 235.

ENGL 239 Nonfiction Writing 3.0 SH [GEA]

An exploration into the art and craft of nonfiction writing. Students study the elements of nonfiction and apply that study to their own creative writing. Students read published essayists and write multiple nonfiction essays themselves. A substantial portion of the course is devoted to writers' workshop in which students read and critique each other's nonfiction writing.

ENGL 240 Poetry Writing 3.0 SH [GEA]

An exploration into the art and craft of poetry writing. Students study the elements of poetry and apply that study to their own creative writing. Students read various poems from traditional and contemporary poets and write multiple poems themselves. A substantial portion of the course is devoted to writers' workshop in which students read and critique each other's poetry.

ENGL 241 Fiction Writing 3.0 SH [GEA]

An exploration into the art and craft of fiction writing. Students study the elements of fiction and apply that study to their own creative writing. Students read published modern and contemporary short fiction and write multiple short stories themselves. A substantial portion of the course is devoted to writers' workshop in which students read and critique each other's short fiction.

ENGL 242 Generative Processes 3.0 SH [GEH]

This class explores the links between critical theory and creative practice in contemporary literature and visual culture. Regarding critical theory as a creative practice, students investigate the ways in which writers and artists pose creative problems, solve them by developing working methods based on ideas, and cultivate distinct voices through inventive and informed reformulation of extant practices and theoretical models.

ENGL 243 Generative Processes Abroad 3.0 SH [GEH]

This class explores the links between critical theory, creative practice, and cultural context. The location in which the course is taught determines its focus and usually includes interaction with working artists and writers. The title will be extended to describe the current location. May be taken more than once provided the locations differ. Offered only on Principia abroads.

ENGL 245 Place-Based Writing 3.0 SH [GEA]

This course is focused on place-based creative writing. Coursework includes reading place-based literary texts, individual research on a place, and creative work based upon programmatic content of the abroad, field program, or course site. The title will be extended to describe the course's focus on place. May be taken more than once provided the focus of the course differs.

ENGL 253 Gender Studies in Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Analyzes texts (which may include fiction, films, poetry, and essays) by authors from a range of cultural backgrounds that focus on and question the dominant gender roles of their time and place. These texts may span historical eras or focus on one particular period. Students examine the literature primarily through the lens of feminist and gender theories and historical context.

ENGL 254 Modern Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

A survey of literature written during the modernist period (late 19th through mid-20th century). Emphasis on writers and movements that challenged traditional forms through stylistic and thematic experimentation.

ENGL 255 Postmodern Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Examines postmodern literature in the decades following World War II, highlighting a diverse range of authors whose inventive works challenge ideas of identity, history, and truth while engaging pressing social and political concerns.

ENGL 260 Scottish Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Introduces students to Scottish literature. The course emphasizes literature written in the 18th and 19th centuries, though literature before and after that period may also be addressed. Emphasis is placed on issues of Scotland's complex relationship with England and the English language.

ENGL 262 Postcolonial Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Explores literature and theory by writers from previously colonized countries. These texts may span a variety of geographic areas, such as the West Indies, South Asia, Africa, and Ireland, or may focus in depth on writers from one particular continent. Texts by white Europeans writing from the perspective of the colonizing power may be included as a basis for comparison.

ENGL 263 Literature of Conflict 3.0 SH [GEH]

A study of the literature of conflict, with emphasis on war literature and its related literature of dislocation, social disruption, and dissent.

ENGL 266 African American Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

This course examines African American texts (which may include fiction, poetry, essays, slave narratives, memoirs, speeches, or sermons). Various literary periods from colonial to contemporary times may be covered.

ENGL 283 Romantic Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Examines the important themes of the British Romantic period and their cultural contexts through the study of the works of poets and prose writers of the period.

ENGL 284 Victorian Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

Explores texts of the period, focusing on questions of nationalism, colonialism, religion, gender roles, and sexual orientation, and emerging psychological and evolutionary theories, by considering how authors such as Brontë, Eliot, Dickens, and Wilde reflected the dominant ideologies of their day and called them into question.

ENGL 315 Shakespeare II 3.0 SH [  ]

Examines Shakespeare's plays through either specific themes or critical approaches. Some familiarity with Shakespeare's works will be helpful as the course is not a survey course but instead delves deeply into a select number of plays.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 320 History of the British Novel 3.0 SH [  ]

Novels selected from early and late periods trace development of this form.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 325 Film as Literature 3.0 SH [  ]

The study of film as a text. Students read and apply film theory and literary criticism to the in-depth analysis of films as alternative narratives.
Prerequisite: ENGL 234 and one additional English literature or world literature course.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 330 Single Author 3.0 SH [  ]

Examines the work of a single author. Analyzes the style of the author and introduces major biographical or critical approaches to the author. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken three times provided the authors studied differ.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 335 Contemporary Issues 3.0 SH [  ]

An advanced seminar examining contemporary literature in the context of current critical debate. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken more than once provided the topics differ.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 351 Adv Creative Writing Seminar 3.0 SH [  ]

An advanced creative writing seminar for poets, fiction writers, scriptwriters, and nonfiction writers. The course is organized as a community of serious writers who are beginning to develop portfolios of coherent work, exploring and articulating their influences, and expanding their practical understanding of what it means to maintain a creative literary practice.
Prerequisite: Completion of two 200-level creative writing courses from the following: ENGL 220, ENGL 231, ENGL 235, ENGL 239, ENGL 240, ENGL 241, ENGL 245.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 353 Editing & Publishing 3.0 SH [  ]

A hands-on workshop introducing the principles and practices of editing and publishing. Students develop professional skills in copy editing, project management, editorial design and aesthetics, website coordination, circulation, and promotion, and gain practical experience as staff members for Mistake House Magazine, the department’s annual online literary journal. May be taken a total of three times.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 354 Editing & Publishing Practicum 3.0 SH [  ]

Production staff for the annual online literary journal Mistake House Magazine. Provides experiential training in various production positions, including copy editing, project management, editorial assistance, web site coordination, circulation and promotion, etc. May be repeated up to three times but may not be counted as an elective in the English major or minor more than once.
Prerequisite: ENGL 353.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.

ENGL 399 Capstone Proposal 2.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Prepares students for their capstones. Students research possible topics and write a formal proposal for their capstones. Usually taken the semester preceding the capstone but can be taken concurrently. May be offered for variable credit from two to three semester hours.
Prerequisite: CNAR 350 or ENGL 388.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Creative Writing, English Majors only.

ENGL 401 Capstone 3.0-4.0 SH [  ]

This course is the culmination of the English and Creative Writing program. Students create a substantial and coherent body of original creative writing, read deeply and conduct serious research about the influences for their project, and write an artist statement to accompany their creative work. At the completion of the course, students give a public presentation of their capstone work.
Prerequisite: ENGL 351.
Class Level Restriction: Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Creative Writing Majors only.