Writing and Digital Studies Minor

An introductory study of literary terminology and the major genres of American, British, European, and multicultural literature. Focuses on critical reading and intelligent appreciation of literature and of the ways of writing about literature.

This course introduces the creative writer to the literary genres of poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama and to the writing workshop. Students will analyze examples in each genre and apply elements of form, technique, and meaning. The course is designed to help students develop a writing voice and practice each of the major genres.

This course prepares the student to work in the new media marketplace where online and digital platforms are as important as traditional print media by incorporating audio and video components to storytelling. Instructional goals are to enhance awareness of mobile journalism elements and skills; to introduce an understanding of ethics, standards and legalities of producing and publishing mobile journalism stories; and to provide knowledge and skills necessary to develop audio and video components of multimedia journalism.

The course consists of interrelations of history, art, literature, music, and philosophy. It covers the culture-epochs from the Ancient River-Valley Civilizations through the Medieval period.

The course consists of interrelations of history, art, literature, music, and philosophy. It covers the culture-epochs from the Renaissance to contemporary times.

This course studies writing within the diverse environment of the workplace. It emphasizes the need to adapt written documents for a distinct task, audience, or platform. The course introduces students to professional and technical writing through examination and evaluation of interdisciplinary readings and representative models of professional documents-both print and digital. The course will incorporate strategies for developing and improving skills in writing, reading, researching, editing, presenting, and collaborating. Students will demonstrate an understanding of effective practices through a portfolio of professional documents.

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.

In this course students assist in all aspects of the publication of the campus literary journal. Students read submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, they work with writers to edit their pieces, and they assist with layout and design.

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.

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. This opportunity is available for students who are English majors/minors, writing and digital studies minors, creative writing minors, and creative writing BFA students.

The course will examine the pivotal role that the curators play in museums, and the ways in which the expanding art-world functions today. It will introduce students to aspects of museum work, with an emphasis on the role of the fine arts curator and curatorial theory and how this can integrate with becoming a professional arts administrator.

Film as Visual Art is a study of masterworks of cinematic art with an emphasis on visual aesthetics and cultural influences. The class will examine selected International cinematic classics, focusing on the film's director, or 'auteur'. The French idea of "camera as style" (pen) will be explored through the film director's use of camera angles, composition, editing, and lighting will be explored and deconstructed, in a manner consistent with traditional forms of visual art. Also under consideration will be the way that these visual elements stand in dynamic and creative tension with the visual culture of their national origin or context. Included in this would be fashion, art, politics, and philosophy.

Contemporary Visual Arts and Culture is a study of the causes and effects of the proliferation of new media in 21st century Western Society. This class explores post-modern theory and a tactile approach to the elements that make up the visual world. By exploring advertising, television, film, digital image making, arts and crafts, social media, and both public and private spaces, this course considers the roles of consumers, creators, and critics of visual culture, while engaging with a Christian world view of these cultural practices.

A study of the dynamic relationship, which has historically existed between the content of Biblical texts and visual art, with consideration also being given to select examples of music and literature.

An intensive study of a particular area of world literature in translation (e.g., Greek drama, or the literature of Existentialism). See the instructor for the area currently being studied. May be offered as a dual-language topic such as Latin American authors.

This course explores the intellectual contributions of classical Greek and Roman literature by examining the meaning of these works within the historical, political, and cultural context of ancient Greco-Roman society.

The Metaphysical and cavalier Poets, and the prose of John Milton, in historical context.

Neoclassical, Romantic, and Victorian literature in historical context.

An introduction to the study of a wide variety of children's literature, including picture books, novels, poetry, and folklore. Focus on critical analysis of texts, employing a variety of literary theoretical perspectives, close readings, and contemporary research. Also examines the historical constructions of childhood, uses within the elementary classroom, and social response to children's literature. Meets the Liberal Studies requirement for Children's literature.

A consideration of children's classics, including but not limited to texts from "Golden Age" of children's literature, approximately 1865-1914. Focus on critical analysis of texts, employing a variety of literary theoretical perspectives, close readings, and contemporary research. Also examines the historical constructions of childhood and social responses to children's literature. Students will examine the texts in light of literary, historical, social contexts.

A close examination of selected folklore and fairy tales from various cultural or literary traditions. Focus on interpretation and analysis of individual texts, utilizing a variety of historical and contemporary critical approaches to reading, understanding, and researching folklore and fairy tales as a distinctive genre.

Introduction to literature designed to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Varied uses of literature such as poetry and short stories will be explored with intensive study of longer works of fiction and non-fiction.

Surveys some of the great literary texts in the Christian tradition. Readings from primary works will provide opportunity to become familiar with a variety of voices in the history of Christian spirituality. Students will examine the texts in light of literary, historical, social, and theological contexts. Authors and texts may vary each time the course is offered.

An opportunity for students who have demonstrated the ability to do independent work to pursue in depth a topic of particular interest. Other courses listed in the catalog may not be taken by independent study.

Focuses on a different theme, genre, or period of British, American, or World literature each time offered. See instructor for topic currently to be studied.

In this course students assist in all aspects of the publication of the campus literary journal. Students read submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, they work with writers to edit their pieces, and they assist with layout and design.

Major fiction and poetry from 1900 to World War II.

Major fiction and poetry from World War II to the present.

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.

Prose, fiction, poetry, and drama from 1890 to the present, with emphasis on the Modernist writers.

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. This opportunity is available for students who are English majors/minors, writing and digital studies minors, creative writing minors, and creative writing BFA students.

This course centers on the close reading of both religious and secular filmic texts in order to better understand the ideology that is wrapped within these artifacts of culture. Students will describe and analyze how these cinematic texts communicate both Christian and anti-Christian philosophical and theological arguments, which have the power to shape the horizons of the mind and impact culture.

This course addresses the adaptation of literature to film. It examines diverse concepts and theories that have been applied to cinematic adaptations of literary texts as part of a larger constellation of issues, including the development of cinematic language, approaches to genre studies, and an appreciation for cinematic visions in literary texts. In addition to film screenings, course readings will include prose fiction and film criticism.

This course will lead students through a critical evaluation of the ways in which the history and culture of Greece and Rome are portrayed through popular films. Students will read primary historical literature related to the historical content of the films and will compare how these films represent history accordingly.

The purpose of this course is to explore critically the ways in which at least two of the five areas of the Humanities (Philosophy; Literature; Art; Music; General Historical Culture) are related to the experience of the museum, with specific attention given to the historical importance of the museum as an educational institution. The particular cultural emphases and museum(s) to visit are left to the discretion of the course professor.

An introduction to the ethical and legal aspects of public relations and journalism, including print, online and broadcasting. Students will gain practical insight into the field through review of real-world case studies and materials on ethics, policies and law.

A course involving students in an in-depth study of procedures of copy editing for newspapers, magazines and online media. Through assignments and exercises, students will develop superior skills in grammar and word usage, punctuation, spelling, style, fact-checking, use of reference books, and writing headlines and captions. Students will practice substantive editing, and proofreading for print and online media. The special conditions of the increasingly important Internet to copy editors will be demonstrated.

Online communication platforms are constantly changing. Due to this dynamic environment, communicators must understand the strategies behind online media. This course gives students an immersive experience in analyzing, creating, and developing communication plans to effectively reach a digital audience. In addition, students will analyze and produce content for current and emerging social media platforms. By the end of the course, students will have learned how to curate and develop a social media presence for both themselves as individuals and for corporate entities or small businesses.

This course is designed to examine the role and function of narrative in law, and the role and function of law in major works of literature, to understand better both law and literature.