Courses

Students will become familiar with critical literary trends and traditions from the classic to the contemporary. A sequential survey of classical traditions will begin with Plato and move through literary criticism as practiced in the Renaissance, Romantic and modern eras. Contemporary trends will include Marxist criticism, formalism, structuralism and semiotics, post structuralism, feminist literary criticism, and reader-response criticism. Issues of canonicity and authorial intent will also be discussed.(3 units)

Linguistic theory and methods. Includes the study of the five universal elements of language (phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics) as well as the acquisition and use of language and its variants in culture. This course is required for both multiple subject and single subject credential candidates. Ten (10) hours of fieldwork required. (3 units; Fall)

This course provides advanced study in grammar, writing and research techniques and styles. (3 units)

This three unit essay workshop serves to assess the subject-matter competence of the prospective Master of Arts in English (MAEN) student. Students will enroll for this course with the recommendation of the MA in English Program Director. It will serve as a competency course for prospective students and will not count towards the Master of Arts in English. (3 units; Spring & Online)

A course designed to introduce students to critical and theoretical perspectives on literature. Students will also consider how to examine and evaluate literary theories and texts from a Christian worldview. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

This course will focus on the application of linguistic theory in education. Students will be introduced to various teaching philosophies and methodologies, focusing on their application to language learning. Students will be familiarized with various movements in education and psychology such as behaviorism, cognitivism, social constructivism, and humanism. Students will be instructed as to how diverse language teaching methods have been informed by various educational movements and how these philosophies and methods take form in the second language classroom. This course will build on the concepts taught in ENG 563 but will focus more on second language learners both in ESL and EFL settings. (3 units; Fall)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature prior to 1900. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature from 1900 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the "long twentieth century" in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall even years)

An in-depth study of selected Shakespeare plays and sonnets. The course may utilize a topical approach and may also incorporate other, non-Shakespearean texts. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature and language prior to 1800. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to a period of British literature before Romanticism in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature from 1800 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to a period of British literature from Romanticism to the present in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

Students will become acquainted with the discipline of mythology from a variety of perspectives: from augmenting basic cultural literacy and identifying deities and stories to investigating the philosophy and universalism of myths. The emphasis will be placed on Greek and Roman myths, but will also examine other mythologies such as Mesopotamian, Nordic, and Native American, and modern assimilations of myth into Western literature and film. This course blends literary content with teaching methods.(3 units)

Examines literature from a particular non-Western culture or region of the world. The course may take a topical, canonical, critical or genre approach. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

A course designed to familiarize students with various periods of World literature. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to World literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Summer, as offered)

In this course students assist in all aspects of the publication of the campus literary journal, The Dazed Starling. Students read submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, they work with writers to edit their pieces, and they assist with layout and design. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed to enhance the English graduate student’s understanding of rhetoric and language across multiple cultures. Students will become familiar with preferred rhetorical organization patterns of a variety of cultures and sub-cultures (e.g., genres) in academic and professional writing. (3 units; As Offered)

This course prepares students to teach college writing by introducing them to current composition philosophy and methods, major theories and research in the field, and practical application of teaching techniques for collegiate-level writing courses. (3 units)

This course will provide a practical, hands on approach to the study of English grammar and the application of the acquired knowledge of grammar to the classroom setting. It will be assumed that few, if any, students have had a thorough, formal study of English grammar. The approach will seek to present models for application in the literature-based curriculum prescribed by the California State Framework in English. Students will complete numerous in class exercises as well as independent work outside of class for presentation in discussion at subsequent class meetings. Students will also analyze and evaluate theoretical texts related to grammar as well as analyze and compare grammar-related discussions in broader public discourse. (3 units; Spring)

A creative writing seminar focused on the crafts of fiction and creative nonfiction. Students read numerous published short stories and personal essays, as well as articles discussing craft, technique, and theory. Students write their own short stories or personal essays, which are discussed by the professor and students on scheduled workshop days. The works produced in this class strive to be of publishable quality. (3 units; As offered)

A creative writing seminar focused on the craft of poetry. Students read numerous published lyric and narrative poems, as well as articles discussing craft, technique, and theory. Students write their own poems, which are discussed by the professor and students on scheduled workshop days. The poems produced in this class strive to be of publishable quality. (3 units; as offered)

This course engages students in the technological, aesthetic, publication, and attribution issues of digital creative writing and reading. Students create and analyze hypermedia texts in poetry, short story, creative nonfiction, mixed genre, drama, and screenplays. The course highlights written, visual, and audio tools integrated into electronic literature and other storytelling genres. (3 units; As offered)

This course addresses the relationship between literature and film, focusing on the theory and practice of adaptation from a literary to a cinematic medium. Film adaptations will be analyzed for their relation to their literary counterparts, particularly in regard to ideology, socio-historical recontextualization, and generic issues. The films also will be evaluated for their cinematic integrity as autonomous cultural products aimed at particular audiences. Topics for the seminar might be genre or author-based, such as adaptations of the novels of Jane Austen, or subject-based, such as a study of adaptation and intertextuality in literature, film, and new media. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. May be repeated one time for credit. (3 units; As offered)

This course introduces students to the growing field of digital studies. Given the interdisciplinary nature of digital studies, students will study digital texts and projects and will work collaboratively to evaluate, develop, and refine their technical skills to create and edit various forms of digital publications. (3 units; Fall)

This course integrates the study of literature with digital scholarship, offering practical and theoretical approaches to textual analysis. Students will study literature in digital landscapes, and employ digital tools and methods to analyze literary works. (3 units; Fall (even years)

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to practice the written, oral, research, analytical, and/or technological skills developed in their field(s) of study under the direct supervision of a practitioner in a professional field. In consultation with the internship coordinator, the student works in the field through supervised practical experiences with a professional organization. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair. (3 units; Fall/Spring/Summer)

Concentration upon a specific topic in the field of English. Topic varies for different semesters. May be taken multiple times with change in topic. (1-3 Units)

Graduate students will become acquainted with research methods, trends, and critical issues in the study of literature and language. It is assumed that students are already familiar with basic research tools available to the literature scholar. The seminar will introduce students to the required elements of the Exam, Project, or Thesis and equip students to conduct scholarly research and produce scholarly papers and presentations worthy of publication in refereed journals and other professional forums. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director. (2 units; Spring)

Required for students in any concentration wishing to take a comprehensive exam in place of a thesis or project as part of course requirements for a Master of Arts degree in English. Students may enroll for a maximum of three semesters. Pass/Fail. Additional exam fee. Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director. (1 unit; As offered)

Continuing enrollment for students in the Digital Literary Studies, English Pedagogy, and TESOL concentrations to complete a major project in this course as part of requirements for a Master of Arts degree in English. Students may enroll for a maximum of three semesters. Additional course fee. Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director. (1 unit; As offered)

Continuing enrollment for students in the Digital Literary Studies and Literature concentrations to complete a substantive thesis in this course as part of requirements for a Master of Arts degree in English. Students may enroll for a maximum of three semesters. Additional course fee. Prerequisite: Permission of Program Director. (1 unit; As offered)

This course engages students in the technological, aesthetic, publication, and attribution issues of digital creative writing and reading. Students create and analyze hypermedia texts in poetry, short story, creative nonfiction, mixed genre, drama, and screenplays. The course highlights written, visual, and audio tools integrated into electronic literature and other storytelling genres. (3 units; As offered)

This course introduces students to the growing field of digital studies. Given the interdisciplinary nature of digital studies, students will study digital texts and projects and will work collaboratively to evaluate, develop, and refine their technical skills to create and edit various forms of digital publications. (3 units; Fall)

This course integrates the study of literature with digital scholarship, offering practical and theoretical approaches to textual analysis. Students will study literature in digital landscapes, and employ digital tools and methods to analyze literary works. (3 units; Fall (even years)

Students will become acquainted with the discipline of mythology from a variety of perspectives: from augmenting basic cultural literacy and identifying deities and stories to investigating the philosophy and universalism of myths. The emphasis will be placed on Greek and Roman myths, but will also examine other mythologies such as Mesopotamian, Nordic, and Native American, and modern assimilations of myth into Western literature and film. This course blends literary content with teaching methods.(3 units)

Examines literature from a particular non-Western culture or region of the world. The course may take a topical, canonical, critical or genre approach. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

An in-depth study of selected Shakespeare plays and sonnets. The course may utilize a topical approach and may also incorporate other, non-Shakespearean texts. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature and language prior to 1800. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to a period of British literature before Romanticism in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature from 1800 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to a period of British literature from Romanticism to the present in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature prior to 1900. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature from 1900 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the "long twentieth century" in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall even years)

A course designed to familiarize students with various periods of World literature. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to World literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Summer, as offered)

Concentration upon a specific topic in the field of English. Topic varies for different semesters. May be taken multiple times with change in topic. (1-3 Units)

This course will equip candidates to appraise the relationship between the theories and practices of human development and teaching/learning methods. Specifically, candidates will examine the manner in which world view perspectives of developmental forces impact classroom policies and procedures. The role of assessment in determining student needs and designing appropriate pedagogical strategies will also be emphasized. This course will solidify understanding of the strengths-based approach to making the pedagogical decisions required in the TPA process. Four (4) hours of fieldwork is required. Prerequisite: Education Committee Acceptance. 3 units; Fall/Spring/Summer

This course will equip candidates with the theories and practices connected to working with diverse student populations. Candidates will examine the manner in which societal and cultural forces have impacted current perspectives of equity especially as they relate to special needs and English language learning students. The role of assessment in determining student needs and designing appropriate pedagogical strategies will also be emphasized. This course will solidify understanding of the strengths-based approach to making adaptations required in the TPA process. Fieldwork is required. Prerequisite: Credential Program Acceptance. (3 units; Fall/Spring/Summer)

This course examines various research-based instructional techniques, planning strategies, methods, and assessment practices for the secondary schools, both public and private. Structured observation is required, equally divided between the middle school and high school classroom. This course will introduce the California TPA process. Prerequisite(s): EDU 509 and Credential program acceptance or declared major of English, MA - English Pedagogy concentration. (3 units; As offered)

Focusing on the attainment of skills as a teacher of literacy, this course requires students to demonstrate content reading and writing competencies, such as determining levels of reading achievement, applying readability formulas, evaluating textbooks, and developing strategies for vocabulary, critical thinking, and comprehension. Focus is placed on the preparation of lessons which integrate language arts standards with other content standards and provide for differentiated instruction for diverse students including English learners. Twenty (20) hours of fieldwork required. Prerequisites: EDU 509, 514, and Credential program acceptance or declared major of English, MA - English Pedagogy concentration or Kinesiology, MS - Physcal Education Pedagogy concentration. (3 units; As offered)

Students learn research-based methodologies that are specific to the content area related to the single subject credential they are earning. Students engage with relevant information from textbooks, experts, and professional journals associated with the content area. In addition, students participate in fieldwork hours that take them into both middle and high schools. Prerequisites: EDU 409/509, 411/511, 497/514, 407/515, and permission of the Program Advisor or major in English, MA - English Pedagogy concentration. (3 units; Fall/Spring/Summer)

This course provides in-depth study of a variety of diverse books for young adults that are appropriate for use in the classroom. It also offers instruction in English pedagogy of young adult literature. Prerequisite: Declared concentration in English, MA - English Pedagogy. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed to enhance the English graduate student’s understanding of rhetoric and language across multiple cultures. Students will become familiar with preferred rhetorical organization patterns of a variety of cultures and sub-cultures (e.g., genres) in academic and professional writing. (3 units; As Offered)

This course prepares students to teach college writing by introducing them to current composition philosophy and methods, major theories and research in the field, and practical application of teaching techniques for collegiate-level writing courses. (3 units)

This course will provide a practical, hands on approach to the study of English grammar and the application of the acquired knowledge of grammar to the classroom setting. It will be assumed that few, if any, students have had a thorough, formal study of English grammar. The approach will seek to present models for application in the literature-based curriculum prescribed by the California State Framework in English. Students will complete numerous in class exercises as well as independent work outside of class for presentation in discussion at subsequent class meetings. Students will also analyze and evaluate theoretical texts related to grammar as well as analyze and compare grammar-related discussions in broader public discourse. (3 units; Spring)

Linguistic theory and methods. Includes the study of the five universal elements of language (phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics) as well as the acquisition and use of language and its variants in culture. This course is required for both multiple subject and single subject credential candidates. Ten (10) hours of fieldwork required. (3 units; Fall)

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to practice the written, oral, research, analytical, and/or technological skills developed in their field(s) of study under the direct supervision of a practitioner in a professional field. In consultation with the internship coordinator, the student works in the field through supervised practical experiences with a professional organization. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair. (3 units; Fall/Spring/Summer)

Students will become acquainted with the discipline of mythology from a variety of perspectives: from augmenting basic cultural literacy and identifying deities and stories to investigating the philosophy and universalism of myths. The emphasis will be placed on Greek and Roman myths, but will also examine other mythologies such as Mesopotamian, Nordic, and Native American, and modern assimilations of myth into Western literature and film. This course blends literary content with teaching methods.(3 units)

Examines literature from a particular non-Western culture or region of the world. The course may take a topical, canonical, critical or genre approach. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

An in-depth study of selected Shakespeare plays and sonnets. The course may utilize a topical approach and may also incorporate other, non-Shakespearean texts. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature and language prior to 1800. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to a period of British literature before Romanticism in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature from 1800 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to a period of British literature from Romanticism to the present in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature prior to 1900. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature from 1900 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the "long twentieth century" in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall even years)

A course designed to familiarize students with various periods of World literature. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to World literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Summer, as offered)

Students will become acquainted with the discipline of mythology from a variety of perspectives: from augmenting basic cultural literacy and identifying deities and stories to investigating the philosophy and universalism of myths. The emphasis will be placed on Greek and Roman myths, but will also examine other mythologies such as Mesopotamian, Nordic, and Native American, and modern assimilations of myth into Western literature and film. This course blends literary content with teaching methods.(3 units)

Examines literature from a particular non-Western culture or region of the world. The course may take a topical, canonical, critical or genre approach. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

In this course students assist in all aspects of the publication of the campus literary journal, The Dazed Starling. Students read submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, they work with writers to edit their pieces, and they assist with layout and design. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed to enhance the English graduate student’s understanding of rhetoric and language across multiple cultures. Students will become familiar with preferred rhetorical organization patterns of a variety of cultures and sub-cultures (e.g., genres) in academic and professional writing. (3 units; As Offered)

This course prepares students to teach college writing by introducing them to current composition philosophy and methods, major theories and research in the field, and practical application of teaching techniques for collegiate-level writing courses. (3 units)

An in-depth study of selected Shakespeare plays and sonnets. The course may utilize a topical approach and may also incorporate other, non-Shakespearean texts. Students should see the instructor for the current semester's focus. (3 units)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature and language prior to 1800. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to a period of British literature before Romanticism in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with British literature from 1800 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to a period of British literature from Romanticism to the present in the context of that period’s historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Spring, as offered)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature prior to 1900. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

A course designed to familiarize students with American literature from 1900 to the present. The course will take a topical and/or genre-based approach to American literature in the "long twentieth century" in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Fall even years)

A course designed to familiarize students with various periods of World literature. This course will take a topical or genre-based approach to World literature in the context of the period's historical, cultural, and literary climate. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. (3 units; Summer, as offered)

A creative writing seminar focused on the crafts of fiction and creative nonfiction. Students read numerous published short stories and personal essays, as well as articles discussing craft, technique, and theory. Students write their own short stories or personal essays, which are discussed by the professor and students on scheduled workshop days. The works produced in this class strive to be of publishable quality. (3 units; As offered)

A creative writing seminar focused on the craft of poetry. Students read numerous published lyric and narrative poems, as well as articles discussing craft, technique, and theory. Students write their own poems, which are discussed by the professor and students on scheduled workshop days. The poems produced in this class strive to be of publishable quality. (3 units; as offered)

This course engages students in the technological, aesthetic, publication, and attribution issues of digital creative writing and reading. Students create and analyze hypermedia texts in poetry, short story, creative nonfiction, mixed genre, drama, and screenplays. The course highlights written, visual, and audio tools integrated into electronic literature and other storytelling genres. (3 units; As offered)

This course addresses the relationship between literature and film, focusing on the theory and practice of adaptation from a literary to a cinematic medium. Film adaptations will be analyzed for their relation to their literary counterparts, particularly in regard to ideology, socio-historical recontextualization, and generic issues. The films also will be evaluated for their cinematic integrity as autonomous cultural products aimed at particular audiences. Topics for the seminar might be genre or author-based, such as adaptations of the novels of Jane Austen, or subject-based, such as a study of adaptation and intertextuality in literature, film, and new media. Students should see the instructor for the focus of the current semester. May be repeated one time for credit. (3 units; As offered)

This course integrates the study of literature with digital scholarship, offering practical and theoretical approaches to textual analysis. Students will study literature in digital landscapes, and employ digital tools and methods to analyze literary works. (3 units; Fall (even years)

Concentration upon a specific topic in the field of English. Topic varies for different semesters. May be taken multiple times with change in topic. (1-3 Units)

This course prepares students to teach writing to second language learners, especially but not exclusively at the college level. Course materials and activities focus on current composition philosophy, research-based method and teaching techniques for collegiate level second language writing courses. At a minimum, this course is designed to introduce students to major theories, research, and practice in the teaching of English writing to second language learners. Thus, students should complete this course being able to do what ESL/EFL writing instructors do: design lesson plans for college composition; evaluate (read, respond to, grade, and assess) college level writing; and engage in research in at least one relevant issue in ESL/EFL composition pedagogy. This course should train students to be reflective practitioners and researchers of collegiate level English composition (3 units; Fall)

As the title indicates, this course will be about reading in a second language, primarily, but not exclusively English. In particular, the class will emphasize teaching reading in English to learners whose native language is not English. Since research and theory inform sound pedagogical practice, we will also research and review research on a variety of relevant topics to teaching reading from both linguistic and educational perspectives. Finally, given the importance of literacy in so many contexts today, we will consider a multitude of variables which affect the teaching and learning of reading skills for both children and adults, in second and foreign language settings, and explore the implications of the research for all concerned. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed for future ESL teachers who are interested in current thinking and research in second language material development and assessment and in the application of such in classroom teaching. There are two major goals: one is developing a solid understanding of the core issues in these areas and the other, which requires students to design their own materials and assessment tools and to evaluate existing ones, is facilitating the application of such an understanding in classroom teaching. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed to enhance the English graduate student’s understanding of rhetoric and language across multiple cultures. Students will become familiar with preferred rhetorical organization patterns of a variety of cultures and sub-cultures (e.g., genres) in academic and professional writing. (3 units; As Offered)

This course is an introduction to some of the major concepts and key issues (theoretical and methodological) in the area of second language acquisition (SLA). During the first few weeks, the class will survey some of the major conceptual advances in second language acquisition research. During the second half of the course, students will have many opportunities to review seminal research articles and evaluate the findings of the research and their implications as applicable to the field of SLA. Each student will also have the opportunity to design his or her own study in an area of SLA that interests him or her. (3 units)