Major Courses

An introduction to the English major in the online modality with a focus on applying a Christian worldview to study of English. Introduces students to a range of online discussion tools and to a range of professions in which the English major can be applied.

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.

Literature of Great Britain from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century.

Literature of Great Britain from the Romantic Period to the present.

American Literature from the Colonial Period to 1865.

American literature from 1865 to present.

Advanced study in theories of imaginative literature and in the issues of interpreting literary texts.

Selected poems and plays are studied in their historical contexts. A variety of critical approaches are incorporated. Includes comedies, history plays, and tragedies.

Introduction to research topics, methods, and materials in the field of language and literature for application in a series of scholarly papers and presentations of various types and lengths.

Linguistic theory and method. Includes the study of the five universal elements of language (phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics) as well as the use of language and its variants in culture. Fieldwork required.

This three unit senior capstone project serves to assess the subject matter competence of the English major and the Single Subject Program candidate. Students will enroll for this course with the recommendation of their English program advisor and the approval of the department chair.

Major fiction and poetry from 1900 to World War II.

Neoclassical, Romantic, and Victorian literature in historical context.

The literature of women and ethnic minorities. Recommended for Liberal Studies majors. At least one literature survey course recommended.

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 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.

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.

Detective Fiction is an historical approach to the detective fiction genre and its impact on Western society. The class explores issues of knowledge production, detection, policing, and identity through drama, novels, short stories, and film. (3 units)

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.