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


English Course Descriptions

(ENGL) College-Program: 12-26 Check with Department for quarter when courses are offered.Read each course description for other prerequisites.The English 121, 122, 123 College Writing sequence is a prerequisite for all English courses numbered 300 and above. Elementary Education majors: see English 310. Read each course description for other prerequisites.


089 BASIC WRITING (4 credits). Designed to help students improve or polish their writing skills before entering Freshman English. Teaches the process of writing: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Students will probably spend some time in the Writing Center where they learn to use word processing for writing and where peer tutors are available for help. May NOT be taken Pass/No Pass.

121 COLLEGE WRITING I (4 credits). Emphasis is on improving skills and effectiveness in written communication based on critical reading, other means of observation , and extensive writing. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of qualifying examination. This course is required to fulfill Area I Liberal Education Requirements. Prerequisite: In order to enroll in English 121, a student must have a satisfactory ACT verbal subscore. Those students who have not taken the ACT will be required to take an English qualifying test administered through the Department of English. Students whose ACT scores are below the established minimum satisfactory score are required to pass English 089, Basic Writing, before enrolling in English 121. May NOT be taken Pass/No Pass. (l I)

122 COLLEGE WRITING II (4 credits). Continued emphasis on composition with concentration on use of the library, research methods, and preparation of research papers. Prerequisite: ENGL 121. This course is required to fulfill Area I Liberal Education Requirements. May NOT be taken Pass/No Pass. (l I)

123 COLLEGE WRITING III (4 credits). Reading and analysis of the major types of imaginative literature as sources for critical writing. Class study of basic criteria of criticism and their application. Prerequisite: ENGL 121; recommended, ENGL 122. This course is required to fulfill Area I Liberal Education Requirements. May NOT be taken Pass/No Pass. (l I)

167 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. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

181 UNDERSTANDING FICTION (3 credits). A study of representative novels and short stories from a variety of types and backgrounds. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

182 UNDERSTANDING POETRY (3 credits). A study of traditional and modern poetry stressing comprehension and enjoyment. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

183 UNDERSTANDING NON-FICTION (3 credits). A study of and general reading in various types of non-fiction techniques. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

184 UNDERSTANDING DRAMA AS LITERATURE (3 credits). A study of traditional and modern drama as literature rather than as a performing art. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ). (May not be offered every year.)

185 UNDERSTANDING FILM (4 credits). A study of film as an art form, including technique, social implications, directors and types of films. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

218 INTRODUCTORY WRITING FICTION (4 credits). An introduction to the study of the form and style of fiction, with practice, study, and writing in a workshop format. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

219 INTRODUCTORY WRITING POETRY (4 credits). An introduction to the study of form and style of verse, with practice in a workshop format. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

220 EXPOSITORY WRITING (4 credits). A nonfiction writing course with heavy emphasis on effective exposition. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

221 SCRIPTWRITING (4 credits). Experience in writing one act, radio, television, and theatre plays. Prerequisites: ENGL 121 and ENGL 122 or equivalent. English 218 or 219 suggested. This course may also be used to fulfill Liberal Education Requirements. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

223 MODERN USAGE AND STRUCTURE (4 credits). A study of the nature of language. The morphology/syntax of English, traditional and transformational grammar, and American dialects and usage.

227 TECHNICAL WRITING (4 credits). Instruction and practice in writing about technical materials and subjects. This course may also be used to fulfill Liberal Education requirements. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

241 INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LITERATURE I (4 credits). A comprehensive study of English literature to 1800, with emphasis on the continuity of the English literary tradition. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

242 INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LITERATURE II (4 credits). A comprehensive study of English literature from 1800 to present, with emphasis on the continuity of the English literary tradition. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

265 AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURE (4 credits). A study of the prose and poetry of the North American Indian with special emphasis on the literature of the Chippewa. (May not be offered every year.)

266 AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1900 (4 credits). A study of the development of American letters from an historical perspective. The ideas and 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. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

267 AMERICAN LITERATURE FROM 1900 TO THE PRESENT (4 credits). A study of representative American writers and their works. The course traces the development of American letters into a major national literature. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

270 MYTHOLOGY (3 credits). A survey of mythologies of Europe, primarily Greek, Roman and Norse, which have importance as primitive literatures and as symbols in imaginative literature of Europe and America. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ). (May not be offered every year.)

271 WORLD LITERATURE I (4 credits). A study of world literature from Greek classical, Near Eastern and Oriental writings through the sixteenth century. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II, Area VII ).

272 WORLD LITERATURE II (4 credits). A study of world literature usually including works of France, Italy, Russia, Germany, the Orient, and South America from the 17th century to the present (Applies to Liberal Education Area II, Area VII ).

275 THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE (4 credits). A study of selected Old and New Testament books and their literary significance. This course may also be used to fulfill Liberal Education requirements. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

281 THE SHORT STORY (3 credits). A study of the history, development, structure, and technique of the short story as a literary genre. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ). (May not be offered every year.)

285 THE AMERICAN FILM (4 credits). A study of various aspects of American movies. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ). (May not be offered every year.)

289 ENGLISH TOPICS (1-4 credits). Provides the student with a core of specialized information in literature, language, or writing.

310 MYTHOLOGY, LEGENDS, AND FOLKTALES (4 credits). A survey of world mythologies, legends and folktales which have importance as a genre or as a content in the elementary language arts. This course may not be used for either the B.A. or B.S. major in English.

312 DIRECTED CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION STUDIES (2-4 credits). A type of internship for English majors who wish to gain experience in problems, methods, and techniques of teaching writing or literature.

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

318 INTERMEDIATE FICTION WRITING (4 credits). A workshop form course designed to offer the student further practice, analysis, and theoretical study in the composition of fiction. Prerequisite: ENGL 218 with grade of B or better, or permission of instructor.

319 INTERMEDIATE POETRY WRITING (4 credits). A workshop form course designed to offer the student further practice, analysis, and theoretical study in the composition of poetry. Prerequisite: ENGL 219 with grade B or better, or permission of instructor.

320 ADVANCED PROSE STYLE (4 credits). The development of editing skills, manuscript preparation, and efficient and effective writing for a wide range of rhetorical situations. Prerequisite: ENGL 220.

321 ADVANCED SCRIPTWRITING (4 credits). Advanced study and experience in writing one act, radio, television, screen, and theatre plays. Prerequisites: ENGL 221 or SP/TH 280. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

323 WRITING COURSE 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.

325 WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES (4 credits). Examine and practice argument and researched writing as conducted in the various academic disciplines. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, 123 or equivalents; completion of 96 quarter hours. (Applies to Liberal Education Area I ).

330 WOMEN IN FILM (4 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. (May not be offered every year.)

333 SCIENCE FICTION/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. (May not be offered every year.)

340 THE OLD AND MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIODS (3 credits). A study of English poetry and prose from the 7th through the 15th centuries, exclusive of Chaucer. (May not be offered every year.)

343 THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (3 credits). A study of Tudor poetry, prose, and drama, with emphasis on Marlowe, Sidney, Spenser, and Jonson. (May not be offered every year.)

344 THE 17TH CENTURY PERIOD (3 credits). A study of literary developments in 17th century English with emphasis on the baroque in both prose and poetry. (May not be offered every year.)

345 THE 18TH CENTURY PERIOD (3 credits). A study of the poetry and prose of the Neo-Classical Age, with special emphasis on DeFoe, Swift, Addison, Steele, Pope, Boswell, and Johnson. (May not be offered every year.)

346 THE ROMANTIC PERIOD (3 credits). A study of selected poems and critical essays by Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Keats, and Shelley. (May not be offered every year.)

347 THE VICTORIAN PERIOD (3 credits). A study of the poetry and prose of the later 19th century, with emphasis on Tennyson, Browning, Hopkins, Carlyle, Ruskin, Arnold, Thackeray, and Dickens. (May not be offered every year.)

348 20TH CENTURY BRITISH LITERATURE w (3 credits). A study of the prose, poetry, and drama of 20th century Britain. (May not be offered every year.)

351 ENGLISH REGIONAL SPECIALTY (3 credits). Specialized study of such regional English literatures as those of Scotland Ireland, Wales, Australia, etc. (May not be offered every year.)

360 AMERICAN LITERATURE SPECIALTY (3 credits). Specialized study of some aspect of American literature. Announced in the quarterly schedule of classes.

364 THE WEST IN AMERICAN LITERATURE (3 credits). A study of the influence of the West and the westward expansion of the American literary imagination. (May not be offered every year.)

366 AMERICAN ROMANTICISM (4 credits). A careful, detailed study of the 19th century Romantic literary movement in America; representative and major works of the writers of the period are the focus. The novel, poetry, drama, and critical theory of the movement are examined and analyzed. (May not be offered every year.)

367 AMERICAN REALISM (4 credits). A study of the realistic movement in American literature of the latter 19th century; representative and major works of the writers of the period are the focus, although European and British theoretical influences are also examined and analyzed in terms of their effects on American writers' practice. (May not be offered every year.)

380 THE NOVEL (4 credits). Study of the novel as a literary form, with analysis of representative works illustrative of major literary movements. (May not be offered every year.)

381 THE POEM (4 credits). A study of form in poetry which emphasizes cultural and literary diversity. The course will survey ethnic, experimental, feminist, imagistic, mythic, populist, and surrealist approaches. Style and technique will be examined within an inclusive context of inherited traditions.

385 INTERNATIONAL FILM (4 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. (May not be offered every year.)

389 ENGLISH TOPICS (1-4 credits). A concentrated study of special topics in or related to the study of literature, language, and writing.

418 ADVANCED FICTION WRITING (4 credits). A workshop form course designed to offer the student advanced practice, analysis and theoretical study in the writing of fiction as well as an overview of mechanics and markets of current fiction publishing. Prerequisite: ENGL 318 with "B" or better, or consent of instructor.

419 ADVANCED POETRY WRITING (4 credits). A workshop form course designed to offer the student advanced practice, analysis and theoretical study in the writing of poetry, as well as an overview of mechanics and markets of current poetry publishing. Prerequisites: ENGL 319.

429 HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (4 credits). A chronological study of all major aspects of linguistic changes in the history of English from the Anglo-Saxon age to the present, culminating in modern American dialectical differences. (May not be offered every year.)

441 CHAUCER (4 credits). Study of Geoffrey Chaucer's life, times, and major poetical works. (May not be offered every year.)

442 MILTON (4 credits). Study of John Milton's life, times, and major prose and poetry. (May not be offered every year.)

444 SHAKESPEARE (4 credits). A close reading of selected plays for the purpose of introducing the student to the works of Shakespeare.

449 ENGLISH LITERATURE - SINGLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (3 credits). Intensive study of the life and works of a major English writer. (May not be offered every year.)

450 ENGLISH LITERATURE - MULTIPLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (4 credits). Intensive study of the works of two or more major English writers. (May not be offered every year.)

451 ENGLISH LITERATURE SPECIALTY (3 credits). A study of special types of English literary trends and groupings that reach beyond literature by chronology and genre. (May not be offered every year.)

452 CANADIAN LITERATURE (3 credits). A study of prose, poetry, and drama of 19th and 20th century Canadian literature, with emphasis on Canada's emergence as a central force in contemporary North American literature. (May not be offered every year.)

457 TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY (4 credits). A study of 20th century American poetry using representative works from significant American poets. Both the poetry and theoretical studies of poetry, particularly from the poets themselves, will be examined. Each year the course is offered, the Schedule of Classes will identify the decades to be studied. Prerequisites: ENGL 266 and 267.

465 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN NOVEL (4 credits). A study of major American novelists and their works from the 20th century; the social, intellectual and literary contexts of the American novel are examined. Consult the schedule of classes for the specific decades studied in an offering of the course(May not be offered every year.). Prerequisites: ENGL 266, 267.

468 AMERICAN LITERATURE - SINGLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (3 credits). Intensive study of the life and work of a major American writer. (May not be offered every year.)

469 AMERICAN LITERATURE - MULTIPLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (4 credits). Intensive study of two or more major American writers. (May not be offered every year.)

477 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. (May not be offered every year.)

480 SEMINAR: LITERARY CRITICISM (4 credits). Theory, history, and methods of literary criticism from Plato to the present.

488 COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - SINGLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (3 credits). Intensive study of the life and works of a major international writer. (May not be offered every year.)

489 COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - MULTIPLE AUTHOR SPECIALIZATION (4 credits). Intensive study of the works of two or more major international writers. (May not be offered every year.)


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