Course Descriptions: English

ENGL 101. WRITTEN ENGLISH (3): A course designed to enhance critical thinking, reading, and writing skills through exposure to a diverse range of great ideas. Students will also study the major types of expository writing, both Eastern and Western. Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on the ACT, SAT, ASSET, or ACCUPLACER tests or satisfactory grade in Introduction to Critical Composition, ACFN 010. Prerequisite to all other English courses.

ENGL 102. WRITING FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES (3): A continuation of ENGL 101 for students in the arts and humanities. The course features an introduction to literary types reflecting a diversity of genres (poetry, fiction, and drama) and writers; extensive practice in various kinds of expository and critical writing, with emphasis on the research paper. Prerequisite: ENGL 101.

ENGL 103. WRITING FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES (3): A continuation of ENGL 101 for students with an interest or a major in education or one of the social sciences. The course focuses on critical reading, writing, and thinking using education and social science texts as a basis for writing assignments and class discussion. The course also emphasizes APA-based research and field work. Prerequisite: ENGL 101.

ENGL 104. SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL WRITING (3): A continuation of ENGL 101 for students with an interest or major in the physical or natural sciences or technical disciplines. The course focuses on critical reading, thinking, and writing using science and technical texts as a basis for writing assignments and class discussion. The course also emphasizes computer skills, collaborative writing, and research and presentation methods for the scientific and technical communities. Prerequisite: ENGL 101.

ENGL 202. BACKGROUNDS OF LITERATURE (3): A study of all forms of children's literature, with emphasis on laying foundations for lifelong enjoyment of literature, giving instruction and practice in storytelling, and establishing criteria and resources for book selection. Only candidates for the degree of bachelor of arts in elementary education and students with a minor or teaching field in library science may enroll in this course. Students in secondary education may, with the permission of the department chair, take this course as an elective.

ENGL 203. TEACHING READING AND ADOLESCENT LITERATURE (3): Students will be exposed to reading pedagogy and the methods of teaching reading, as well as the adolescent literary canon and the reading and oral interpretation of adolescent literature.

ENGL 204. SURVEY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE (3): A critical study of representative writers and works from Native American oral traditions to the present, reflecting a broad range of literary and philosophic ideas and the cultural and ethnic diversity of the American experience. Prerequisite: ENGL 102, 103, or 104.

ENGL 208. SURVEY OF WORLD LITERATURE I (3): A survey of world literature, including Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and chronologically comparable non-Western works. Prerequisite: ENGL 102, 103, or 104.

ENGL 209. SURVEY OF WORLD LITERATURE II (3): A survey of world literature, including Neoclassical, Romantic, Realistic, Modern, and chronologically comparable non-Western works. Prerequisite: ENGL 102, 103, or 104.

ENGL 220. APPALACHIAN CULTURE (3): Appalachian Culture will introduce students to a wide variety of creative expression from those states which constitute southern Appalachia, particularly West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Students will study cultural stereotypes about Appalachia, unique historical and cultural forces at work in Appalachia, and the rich expression of creativity in Appalachia (including oral and written literatures, visual arts and crafts, and singing and songwriting). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ENGL 280. INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION (3):
This course will introduce students to the field of technical communication through instruction in how to prepare and communicate information. It will also develop proficiency in electronic communication such as e-mail and the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Either CIS 102 or BSED 250, or permission of instructor.

ENGL 300. GREEK MYTHOLOGY (3): An in-depth study of Greek mythology through discussion of significant Greek and Roman texts read in translation, with emphasis on the historical, cultural, and literary influence that Greek myths have exerted on the thinking and writing of the Western world. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 302. THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE (3): A study of the various types of literature found in the Bible. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 310. SURVEY OF BRITISH LITERATURE I (3): A survey of the major works of poetry and prose of the British literature from Beowulf through the Renaissance. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 311. SURVEY OF BRITISH LITERATURE II (3): A survey of major works of poetry and prose of the British literature from the Neoclassical through the Modern periods. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 315. MEDIEVAL LITERATURE (3): A study of representative works from the major medieval genres - epic, romance, dreamvision, and drama - with special emphasis on medieval English literature, excluding Chaucer. Prerequisites: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 316. MEDIEVAL DRAMA (3): An in-depth study of medieval drama, from its beginnings in 10th-century liturgical dramatizations through the late 15th century, with an emphasis on Middle English Corpus Christi cycles, saints' plays, and morality plays. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 320. RENAISSANCE PROSE AND POETRY (3): A study of the major non-dramatic poetry and prose of the English Renaissance, including works by Spenser, More, Browne, Donne, and Herbert. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 321. RENAISSANCE DRAMA (3): A study of the major playwrights of the English Renaissance, excluding Shakespeare. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 322. HAMLET IN CONTEXT (3): A rereading of the received text of Hamlet in terms of the theatrical, historical, and cultural contexts of Shakespeare's tragic vision. The class will consider the popular tradition of Elizabethan and Jacobean revenge drama, ranging from Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy to Webster’s The White Devil and the apparent source materials of the Hamlet story; the political background and the crisis of authority in Tudor England; four centuries of Hamlet criticism, including romantic, idealistic, Freudian, formalist, feminist, pacifist, and complementarian interpretations of the play. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 330. RESTORATION AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY BRITISH LITERATURE (3): A study of the intellectual ideas and the principal writers of the period, including Dryden, Behn, Pope, Swift, Johnson, Wollstonecraft, Gray, Burns, and Austen. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 331. RESTORATION AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY DRAMA (3): A survey of the major works of British drama (both tragedy and comedy) from the Restoration through the 18th century. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 332. THE BRITISH NOVEL (3): A study of the development of the British novel through the works of major novelists of the 18th and 19th centuries. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 333. SATIRE (3): A study of Enlightenment satire in a classical context. May include works by Aristophanes, Horace, Juvenal, Cervantes, Rabelais, Swift, Pope, Gay, Lennox, and Austen. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 340. BRITISH ROMANTIC LITERATURE (3): A study of the major writers of British Romanticism, with emphasis on the social and intellectual background from which they evolved. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 341. NINETEENTH-CENTURY BRITISH LITERATURE (1837-1900) (3): A study of representative selections from the major poets and prose writers of the period. The thought, content, and literary form of the selections are emphasized. Attention is given to their reflection of the chief cultural and intellectual currents of the political and social history of the era. Prerequisite: ENGL 208.

ENGL 346. AMERICAN FICTION (3): Primarily a study of the American novel to the First World War, although key shorter works also may be included. The fiction of major 19th- and early 20th-century writers is discussed in its artistic, intellectual, and social significance. Prerequisite: ENGL 204.

ENGL 347. AMERICAN POETRY (3): An in-depth critical study of selected American poets from the 19th and early 20th centuries with primary emphasis on the artistic achievements of each figure and on the position each holds as representative of the major literary movements in American poetry from the Romantic through the Modernist periods. Prerequisite: ENGL 204.

ENGL 355. AMERICAN ETHNIC LITERATURE (3): A study of the literatures of various American ethnic groups, including African American, Native American, Hispanic United States, Asian American, and Appalachian literatures. Emphasis will be placed on the oral tradition of the ethnic groups and the development of written literatures, with primary emphasis on twentieth-century written texts. Prerequisite: ENGL 204.

ENGL 357. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POETRY (3): A study of themes in contemporary American poetry from World War II to present. Discussion will include influence of postmodernism, postcolonialism, and emergence of ethnic literatures on contemporary American poetry. The course will also explore experimental poetry.

ENGL 360. LITERATURE AND THE SEXES (3): A study of American, British, and Continental literature by and about women, with particular emphasis on the relationship between the sexes. The course includes work by Lanier, Austen, Wollstonecraft, Brontë, Chopin, Dickinson, Ibsen, Shaw, and others. Gynocritical, deconstructive, and traditional critical approaches to the works are investigated. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 361. SHORT STORY (3): A careful reading and discussion of selected short stories with the dual purpose of developing students' critical appreciation and acquainting them with the nature and development of the short story form. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 362. MODERN NOVEL (3): A study of representative American, British, and European novelists of the 20th century, designed to acquaint the students with the themes, techniques, and artistic problems of the modern novel, and the relationship of the latter to the basic issues and concerns of modern people. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 363. MODERN DRAMATIC LITERATURE (3): A study of the drama from Ibsen to the present day. Representative plays from Europe, Britain, and America will be read and critically interpreted. The cultural and intellectual background of modern American theater will be studied. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 364. LITERARY CRITICISM (3): A historical survey of major critical trends from the Classical period through the 20th century and a study of contemporary critical theories through practical application to specific literary works. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 310 or ENGL 311.

ENGL 365. CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE (3): A study of world literature from the early 1950's to the present. Representative texts from Europe, Britain, North America, Latin America, and Africa will be read. Emphasis will be placed on postmodernism, postcolonialism, and the emergence of ethnic literatures. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 366. WOMEN IN THE ARTS AND LITERATURE (3): A course dealing with issues of creativity and the creative process as explored in the literary, visual, and performing arts of women. Class discussion proceeds from a core of literary works dealing with women and creativity: works by Austen, Rossetti, D. Wordsworth, Barrett Browning, Dickinson, Gilman, Rich, Plath, Sexton, Woolf, Drabble, Dinesen, Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, and Walker. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 370. STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH (3): A linguistic survey of the English language, its history and structure, the course utilizes traditional grammar, structural linguistics, and transformational grammar as a basis for a comprehensive understanding of how language works - both written and oral. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 103 or ENGL 104.

ENGL 372. ADVANCED COMPOSITION (3): A study of techniques and extensive practice in informative, argumentative, journalistic, and contemplative writing. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 103 or ENGL 104.

ENGL 373. CREATIVE WRITING (3): An applied study of basic stylistic and structural techniques characteristic of various forms of imaginative writing, analyzed in selected models, with particular emphasis given to a guided, constructive criticism of student writing submitted for class discussion. Consent of the instructor necessary for admission. Prerequisite: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 375. HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (3): A diachronic study of the English language and its linguistic heritage. Prerequisites: ENGL 310 or ENGL 311.

ENGL 377. PEER TUTORING AND COMPOSITION THEORY: The course will provide a solid theoretical foundation in composition in order to enable students to improve their own writing as well as that of their peers. Students will receive practice in reading, commenting in, and assessing written work from many disciplines. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or ENGL 103 or ENGL 104.

ENGL 380. ADVANCED TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION (3): Building on what students learned in Introduction to Technical Communication, this course will provide intensive practice in technical communication through scenarios and workshops. Students will work collaboratively on one long project that involves research. Prerequisite: ENGL 280 or permission of instructor.

ENGL 382. TECHNICAL EDITING (3). This course provides an in-depth study of the types of technical editing found in professional settings and will include exercises in copy editing, collaborative projects, and preparing documents for a specified audience. Prerequisite: ENGL 280, or permission of instructor.

ENGL 405. SEMINAR IN LITERATURE I (3): A seminar course focusing on a literary genre, movement, period, or figure chosen by the instructor and approved by the department chair. The student is expected to attend regular meetings of the seminar, participate in open discussions, and present a series of short written or oral reports related to the topic chosen for study. In addition, the student is expected to submit a major documented paper which individually investigates some aspect of the subject matter of the course as a whole. In addition to ENGL 405, students also may take ENGL 406 and/or ENGL 407 and receive three hours credit for each course successfully completed. No one of this group of courses is a prerequisite for the other two, but permission of the instructor is necessary for admission. Prerequisites: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 406. SEMINAR IN LITERATURE II (3): A seminar course with the same format and requirements as ENGL 405 but focusing on a different genre, movement, period, or figure chosen by the instructor and approved by the department chair. In addition to ENGL 406, students may also take ENGL 405 and/or ENGL 407 and receive three hours credit for each course successfully completed. No one of this group of courses is a prerequisite for the other two, but permission of the instructor is necessary for admission. Prerequisites: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 407. SEMINAR IN LITERATURE III (3): A seminar course with the same format and requirements as ENGL 405 but focusing on a different genre, movement, period, or figure chosen by the instructor and approved by the department chair. In addition to ENGL 407, students may also take ENGL 405 and/or ENGL 406 and receive three hours credit for each course successfully completed. No one of this group of courses is a prerequisite for the other two, but permission of the instructor is necessary for admission. Prerequisites: ENGL 204 or ENGL 208 or ENGL 209.

ENGL 418. STUDIES IN CHAUCER AND MILTON (3): A thorough study of the language and art and a detailed critical reading of the masterworks of two major figures in English literature: Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and Milton's Paradise Lost. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209 or ENGL 310.

ENGL 421. SHAKESPEARE (3): A study of selected plays and the sonnets. Minor emphasis on Shakespeare's biography and Elizabethan background. Prerequisite: ENGL 208 or ENGL 209 or ENGL 310.

ENGL 430. BRITISH LITERATURE AND THE PROMINENCE OF PLACE (3): A cornerstone experience for any English major, minor, or individual interested in British culture or literature, the course is designed to focus on British writers whose work or renown is framed largely by the prominence of place. A travel experience to Britain will accompany the course. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or ENGL 103 or ENGL 104 and permission of instructor. Repeatable.

ENGL 431. BRITISH LITERATURE TRAVEL PRACTICUM (3):  The course is designed to accompany British Literature and the Prominence of Place. Formal papers and a travel journal relating the literature course to the study tour practicum are required for the practicum. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or ENGL 103 or ENGL 104 and permission of instructor.

ENGL 445. STUDIES IN AMERICAN LITERATURE (3): An in-depth study of major American writers of the 19th century with primary emphasis on the artistic achievements of each figure. Some attention also is given to the development of characteristically American philosophical and social concepts as these are evidenced in the works being discussed. Prerequisite: ENGL 204.

ENGL 446. AMERICAN LITERATURE AND THE PROMINENCE OF PLACE (3): Geography and region play major roles in shaping the literature called "American." In this course, students will explore the richness of region as it informs literary periods, particular literary movements or philosophies, and themes associated with nature or place. Prerequisites: ENGL 204 and permission of instructor. Repeatable.

ENGL 447. AMERICAN LITERATURE TRAVEL PRACTICUM (3): This travel component is designed to accompany American Literature and the Prominence of Place. Course requirements include travel journal entries and other assignments that will contribute to the travel experience. Prerequisites: ENGL 204 and permission of instructor. Repeatable.

ENGL 460. PRACTICUM IN APPALACHIAN CULTURE I (1): The student serves as assistant and/or researcher for the Appalachian Studies Festival or he/she will further explore a research or practicum project which grows out of the Appalachian Culture course. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ENGL 461. PRACTICUM IN APPALACHIAN CULTURE II (2):  The student serves in more significant role as assistant and/or researcher for the Appalachian Studies Festival or he/she will further explore a research or practicum project associated with the Appalachian studies program. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ENGL 476. PRACTICUM IN ENGLISH I (1): The student serves as a writing tutor, proofreader for The Picket, apprentice  in a freshman composition class, assistant in publicity and grant preparation for the Rude Mechanicals, or any other departmentally approved activity. This course may be repeated. Prerequisites: ENGL 370 or ENGL 372 or ENGL 377 and/or permission of instructor.

ENGL 480. LEAD TUTOR PRACTICUM  (1): The student assists the coordinator of the Writing Center in developing instructional materials and other resources for Writing Center tutors. Prerequisites: ENGL 377 and permission of the instructor.

ENGL 481. STUDENT TUTOR PRACTICUM IN THE WRITING CENTER (1): The student tutor, trained in composition theory and instruction, will serve as a tutor in the College Writing Center. This course may be repeated. Prerequisites: ENGL 377 and permission of Writing Center director.

ENGL 483. INTERNSHIP IN TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION (3): The apex of the minor degree, internships - sponsored locally or in the Washington, D.C., area - will allow students to enhance career preparation while fulfilling course requirements by completing an internship report and submitting a portfolio of work accomplished. Prerequisite: ENGL 280 or permission of instructor.

ENGL 484. PRACTICUM IN EDITING (1): The student serves for one semester on the staff of Sans Merci, the Shepherd College literary magazine as a proofreader, copy editor, student editor, art director, or any other capacity approved by the Sans Merci faculty editors. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course may be repeated.

ENGL 485. SENIOR CAPSTONE PRACTICUM IN ENGLISH (1): Under the supervision of a faculty mentor of the student's choice, the student will propose a project, have the proposal approved, and execute the project. Students will concentrate on experiences they have had at Shepherd that would be useful in graduate school or career choices. Projects may include, but are not limited to,  preparation and presentation of a conference paper; development of a substantial Web site; creation of a special workshop for other students in English; and participation in a dramatic performance. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

ENGL 486. ENGLISH EDUCATION CAPSTONE PRESENTATION (1): This English Education capstone serves as a complementary component for the student teaching experience. Working under the supervision of the English specialization coordinator and drawing from experience in the student teaching assignment, the apprentice teacher will participate in end-of-semester Department of English capstone presentations, sharing the teaching experience, a particular unit, lesson series, or project created during the final field experience. The apprentice teacher will also finish and polish the English education portfolio, which will be presented to the Department of English.

ENGL 490. INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ENGLISH (3): See Independent Study Program. All plans of study and syllabi must be approved by the Department of English. Prerequisite: Six hours of advanced work in English.