BSU Catalog Home | English Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

English (ENGL)

College-Program Codes: 2-26. The English 1101, 1102 College Writing sequence is a prerequisite for all English courses numbered 3000 and above. Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1101 COLLEGE WRITING I (3 credits) Emphasis on improving skills and effectiveness in written communication through critical reading of literature, other means of observation, and extensive writing; course deals with developing authorial voice and adapting that voice to academic audiences; course covers rudiments of citing sources. Includes an oral component. Liberal Education Category 1

1102 COLLEGE WRITING II (3 credits) Continued emphasis on composition with concentration on use of sources, research methods, and preparation of persuasive research papers. Includes an oral component. Prerequisite: ENGL 1101. Liberal Education Category 1

1250 UNDERSTANDING LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of and general reading in various types of literature, such as autobiography, drama, film, novel, poetry, etc. Liberal Education Category 6

2101 INTERMEDIATE WRITING (3 credits) A nonfiction writing course for exploring a wide variety of prose processes, audiences, and formats. Includes development of thought and expression through writing.

2150 TECHNICAL WRITING (3 credits) Instruction and practice in writing about technical materials and subjects. Liberal Education Category 11

2190 INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING (3 credits) Introduction to the study of the forms and styles of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and other genres, with practice in a workshop format. Liberal Education Category 6

2340 THE AMERICAN FILM (3 credits) A study of various aspects of American movies. Liberal Education Category 6

2350 AMERICAN LITERATURE, TO 1900 (3 credits) A study of the development of American letters from a historical perspective. The ideas, social, and cultural relationships that shape the emerging American literature are examined through the study of the works and the literary characteristics of representative writers. Liberal Education Category 6

2355 AMERICAN LITERATURE, 1900 TO PRESENT (3 credits) A study of representative American writers and their works, covering the period from 1900 to the present. The course considers the development of American literature as a significant force on the literary scene. Liberal Education Category 6

2360 ENGLISH LITERATURE, TO 1800 (3 credits) A comprehensive study of English literature to 1800, with emphasis on the continuity of the English literary tradition. Liberal Education Categories 6 & 8

2365 ENGLISH LITERATURE, 1800 TO PRESENT (3 credits) A comprehensive study of English literature from 1800 to present, with emphasis on the continuity of the English literary tradition. Liberal Education Categories 6 & 8

2370 WORLD LITERATURE, TO 1600 (3 credits) A study of world literature from Greek classical, Near Eastern, and Asian writings through the sixteenth century. Liberal Education Categories 6 & 8

2375 WORLD LITERATURE, 1600 TO PRESENT (3 credits) A study of world literature usually including works of France, Italy, Russia, Germany, Asia, and South America from the seventeenth century to the present. Liberal Education Categories 6 & 8

2380 WOMEN IN WORLD LITERATURE (3 credits) This course, through selected literature, examines myths, stereotypes, and archetypes of women's roles and places in society from the beginning of recorded literature to the present. (Might not be offered every year)

2400 THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of selected Old and New Testament books and their literary significance. Liberal Education Category 6

2410 MYTH (3 credits) Study of sacred stories that emerge from pre-literate stages of culture through early literary works. Mythic traditions studied include Greek and may include one or more others (such as Norse, Irish, Ojibwe). Liberal Education Categories 6 & 8

2460 SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY (3 credits) A study of novels emphasizing changes in science fiction and fantasy from historical, thematic, and stylistic perspectives. Intended for general audiences as well as majors. (Might not be offered every year)

2925 PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: AMERICAN NATURE WRITERS (3 credits) A course in the classics of nature writing designed to acquaint the student with great outdoor writers, especially those who stress conservation and ecology. Liberal Education Category 10

2926 PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: WRITING AND NATURE (3 credits) This course leads students to examine, in writing, their own individual perceptions of and response to natural environments and to consider how those perceptions and responses are culturally influenced. Liberal Education Category 10

3101 ADVANCED WRITING (3 credits) A nonfiction writing course for exploring a wide variety of prose processes, audiences, and formats. Includes revision and editing, style, and the authorial voice. May include exploration of opportunities for publishing. Prerequisite: ENGL 2101 or ENGL 3115 or ENGL 3125 or ENGL 3135 or ENGL 3145 or ENGL 3155 or consent of instructor.

3115 WRITING FICTION I (3 credits) An introduction to the study of the form and style of fiction, with practice, study, and writing in a workshop format.

3125 WRITING POETRY I (3 credits) An introduction to the study of form and style of poetry, with practice, study, and writing in a workshop format.

3135 SCRIPTWRITING/PLAYWRITING I (3 credits) Introduction to the study of the form and style of scriptwriting and playwriting, with practice, study, and writing in a workshop format.

3145 WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION I (3 credits) Introduction to the study of the form and style of creative nonfiction, with practice in a workshop format.

3150 WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES (3 credits) Examine and practice argument and researched writing as conducted in the various academic disciplines. Prerequisites: ENGL 1101 and completion of 64 semester credits. (Might not be offered every year)

3155 PROFESSIONAL WRITING (3 credits) Written communication in professional settings. Gathering information, analyzing audiences, and assessing conventional formats of professional writing. Drafting, testing, and revising documents. Development of a portfolio project.

3160 WEB DESIGN AND CONTENT WRITING I (3 credits) A project-based, hands-on course in creating Web sites and Web content. Focuses on applying rhetorical, informational, and usability principles. Covers writing traditional, linear texts for the Web as well as multi-page hypertexts. Prerequisite: Writing course beyond the College Writing requirements, such as ENGL 2101 or ENGL 2150 or ENGL 3115 or ENGL 3125 or ENGL 3135 or ENGL 3145 or ENGL 3155 or MASC 1840 or consent of instructor.

3230 WOMEN IN FILM (3 credits) A study of the portrayal of women in feature films, considering how the cinematic presentations reflect society's attitudes toward women and expectations of women. (Might not be offered every year)

3270 AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of the prose and poetry of representative North American Indian storytellers and writers beginning with the oral tradition and moving into the present. (Might not be offered every year)

3300 AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1850 (3 credits) Specialized study of some aspect of American literature prior to the Civil War. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

3310 AMERICAN ROMANTICISM, REALISM, AND NATURALISM (3 credits) A detailed study of three major literary movements in America, focusing on works by key writers and considering the critical theories underlying the writings. (Might not be offered every year)

3320 TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICAN LITERATURE (3 credits) An in-depth study of a particular aspect of twentieth-century American literature, with an emphasis on significant authors and their social and literary contexts; consult the current schedule of classes for specific focus of course.

3330 ENGLISH RENAISSANCE LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century English literature, exclusive of Shakespeare and Milton. (Might not be offered every year)

3335 RESTORATION AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of the poetry, prose, and drama of the Restoration and the eighteenth century. (Might not be offered every year)

3350 ROMANTICS AND VICTORIANS (3 credits) A study of English poetry, prose, and drama of the nineteenth century. (Might not be offered every year)

3355 TWENTIETH-CENTURY BRITISH AND COMMONWEALTH LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of the prose, poetry, and drama of twentieth-century Britain and the British Commonwealth. (Might not be offered every year)

3360 INTERNATIONAL FILM (3 credits) A study of a variety of international feature films, focusing on major films and important directors, and considering the cultural contexts and social issues examined by the films.

3510 DIRECTED CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION (1-3 credits) A type of internship for English majors who wish to gain experience in problems, methods, and techniques of teaching writing or literature.

3520 WRITING FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER (3 credits) A study of the problems and principles of composition; designed to provide techniques for the teaching of composition in secondary schools.

3530 TEACHING WRITING WITH TECHNOLOGY (3 credits) Focuses on the theory and practice of teaching secondary and university-level writing with computer technology, including using computer-mediated communication, Web-supplemented teaching, and student writing for Web publication.

3540 LITERATURE FOR YOUNG ADULTS (3 credits) A study of literature appropriate for adolescents, as well as ways of correlating free reading with class assignments.

3550 METHODS OF TEACHING ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION (4 credits) Basic aims, materials, and methods with a practicum experience.

3555 ENGLISH TOPICS (1-3 credits) A concentrated study of special topics in or related to the study of literature, language, or writing . (Might not be offered every year)

3580 THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (3 credits) A linguistically-based study of the structure, grammar, and historical development of the English language.

3770 CONTEMPORARY WRITERS AND THEORY (3 credits) A seminar that centers on the study of creative prose and poetry by contemporary authors and includes an analysis of selected essays and criticism by the authors themselves as well as their critics. Focuses on the evolution of form and language in the most contemporary creative writing period. May not be taken to fulfill core requirements in literary criticism and theory.

4116 WRITING FICTION II (3 credits) A workshop course designed to offer the student further practice, analysis, and theoretical study in the composition of fiction. Prerequisite: ENGL 3115 with grade of B or better, or consent of instructor.

4126 WRITING POETRY II (3 credits) A workshop course designed to offer the student further practice, analysis, and theoretical study in the composition of poetry. Prerequisite: ENGL 3125 with grade B or better, or consent of instructor.

4136 SCRIPTWRITING/PLAYWRITING II (3 credits) Advanced study and experience in writing one act, radio, television, screen, and theatre scripts. Prerequisite: ENGL 3135 or THSP 2030 with grade of B or better, or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4146 WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION II (3 credits) Workshop offering further practice, analysis, and theoretical study in the composition of creative nonfiction. Prerequisite: ENGL 3145 with grade of B or better, or consent of instructor.

4156 PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS (3 credits) Presentation skills for professional and technical writing. Audience analysis, visual communication, researching and organizing a presentation, presenting complex material. Emphasizes use of computers.

4170 WEB DESIGN AND CONTENT WRITING II (3 credits) A project-based, hands-on advanced course in creating original Web sites and Web content. Prerequisite: ENGL 3160.

4400 MAJOR AMERICAN AUTHORS (3 credits) Intensive study of the life and work of major American authors. The course may focus on one author or several. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

4410 CHAUCER AND HIS AGE (3 credits) A study of Chaucer's poetical works in the context of his times and of the work of his major contemporaries. (Might not be offered every year)

4420 SHAKESPEARE AND HIS AGE (3 credits) A study of Shakespeare's works in the context of his times and of the work of his major contemporaries.

4425 MILTON AND HIS AGE (3 credits) A study of Milton's works in the context of his times and of the work of his major contemporaries. (Might not be offered every year)

4430 COMPARATIVE LITERATURE (3 credits) Comparative study of the life and work of major authors from varied national and cultural traditions. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

4435 LITERARY GENRES (3 credits) A comparative study of representative types of literary discourse, such as autobiography, drama, the letter, poetry, and short story. (Might not be offered every year)

4440 AMERICAN LITERATURE - SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits) Specialized study of some aspect of American literature. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

4445 ENGLISH LITERATURE - SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits) Intensive study of a specific topic in English literature. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

4450 WORLD LITERATURE - SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits) Intensive study of a specific topic from world literature. Specific title announced in the semester schedule. (Might not be offered every year)

4455 SEMINAR: LITERARY CRITICISM AND THEORY (3 credits) Theory, history, and methods of literary criticism from Plato to the present.

4881 SENIOR PROJECT, PART I (1 credit) In consultation with and with consent of an advisor, design and begin Senior Project II. Prerequisite: Senior status.

4882 SENIOR PROJECT, PART II (2 credits) In consultation with and with consent of an advisor, complete a B.F.A. senior project that is professional and publishable in nature and quality, or can serve as documentary evidence appropriate to admission to graduate programs. Prerequisite: ENGL 4881.