Graduate Course Descriptions

Graduate courses in English are typically run as small seminars, and are often designed to provide both a degree of coverage and an intensive immersion in a particular problem, historical field, author's work, or genre. Nearly all are reserved for graduate students, though a few courses are routinely offered as small, mixed grad/undergrad seminars (for instance, Old English, Middle English, and Beowulf, as well as several courses taken primarily by students specializing in Applied English Linguistics). Many graduate courses will reflect, in topic and in approach, the graduate faculty member's most current research interests; many seek to help students devise research projects that lead or contribute to their dissertation.

You will find below a list of titles and brief descriptions (including prerequisites) of the graduate courses offered by the Department; frequently offered courses include links to more detailed descriptions.

Courses numbered under 700, are open to both undergraduate and graduate level students. Courses numbered 700 and above are open only to graduate students. "P" indicates prerequisites.

320: Old English

An intensive introduction to the Old English language and aspects of Old English literature. [ details]

321:

An intensive introduction to the English language in the late-medieval period (twelfth through fifteenth centuries). [ details]

322: Beowulf

An intensive study of the Old English poem Beowulf in the original language. P: English 320. [ details]

323: History of the English Language. Sem; 3 cr.

The development of English from its beginnings to the present. P: Sophomore standing.

324: Structure of English. Sem; 3 cr.

An introduction to analytic and descriptive methods as applied to English grammar.

325: English in Use. Sem; 3 cr.

An introduction to functional approaches to English structures, covering use in a variety of contexts and text types. P: English
324 or consent of instructor.

329: Introduction to the Syntax of English. Sem; 3 cr.

Basic principles of syntactic theory applied to the analysis of English sentences. P: English 324 or consent of instructor.

330: English Phonology. Sem; 3 cr.

Basic principles of phonetics and phonology applied to the description of English.

331: Language Variation in the U.S. Sem; 3 cr.

Description and analysis of geographical, social and stylistic variation in present day language use in the United States. P: Sophomore standing.

332: Studies in Interlanguage

Examines evidence of psychological processes on different linguistic levels of phonology, morphology, lexicon, syntax, pragmatics, and discourse. P: English 329 and 330. [ details]

332: Global Spread of English. Sem; 3 cr.

Examination of the linguistic, social and political impact of the spread of English around the world. Analysis of geographical, social, and stylistic variation in English in diverse world contexts. P: Sophomore standing.

333: Principles of Language Learning

Historical and theoretical backgrounds of problems of second language acquisition, with special reference to English. P: English 324 or consent of instructor. [ details]

334: English as a Second Language: Theory and Practice

Application of linguistic and psycholinguistic research to the learning of English as a second language. Examination of techniques and materials with emphasis on theoretical rationales. P: English 324 or consent of instructor. [ details]

335: Techniques and Materials for TESOL. Sem; 3 cr.

Supervised practice in the application of techniques and materials in the teaching of English as a second language, including teaching and video-taped sessions. P: English 334 and consent of instructor.

336: English in Society. Sem; 3 cr.

Social uses of English. Topics vary but are drawn from social aspects of the use of English structure, lexicon and discourse such as gender, race, class, education, sexual orientation and social identity. P: Sophomore standing.

337: TESOL Workshops. 1 cr. modules.

Practical modular workshops on key aspects of language teaching, stressing the application of techniques and theory to classroom needs. Rotating topics include teaching of reading, writing, oral skills, pronunciation, grammar, and assessment. P: English 334 or consent of instructor.

338: Topics in English Language and Linguistics. Sem; 3 cr.

Subject differs each year. P: Sophomore standing.

339: Linguistics and Literary Study. Sem; 3 cr.

Introduction to linguistic and pragmatic features of English and their application to language properties of texts, with special reference to literature in English. P: Sophomore standing.

341: Gender and Language. Sem; 3 cr.

Historic and contemporary issues in the study of language and gender. We question taken-for-granted ideas about gender and language and explore samples of speaking and writing to see how they compare with our preconceived notions. P: Junior standing.

608: Colonial and Early National American Literature

An overview of about 200 years of early American literary history, with attention to essential primary texts and critical/historical approaches to this body or writing. [ details]

700: Introduction to Composition Studies. I, II; 3 cr.

Rhetorical, linguistic, psychological, and social foundations of writing; implications for instruction. P: Grad st or cons inst.

701: Writing and Learning. I or II; 3 cr.

Historical, critical and philosophical perspectives on the relationship between writing and learning. In addition to reviewing current research, students will have the opportunity to carry out their own investigation designed to study possible relationships between writing and learning. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad adviser.

702: Perspectives on Literacy. I or II; 3 cr.

Social, historical, and educational perspectives on literacy and literacy learning. P: Grad st & cons inst.

703: Research Methods in Composition Studies. I, II; 3 cr.

Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods in composition studies. P: English 700 or cons inst.

704: Intellectual Sources of Contemporary Composition Theory I (Classical). I, Alt Yrs; 3 cr.

Selected issues in the history of rhetoric, concentrating on classical theories of invention, and their importance for contemporary issues in composition theory. P: Grad st. (Crosslisted with Com Arts 704.)

705: Intellectual Sources of Contemporary Composition Theory II (Modern), 3 cr.

Second part of a two-part survey of the history of composition and rhetoric. It covers the modern era, from the Renaissance to the present, with special emphasis on the 20th Century. P: Grad st.

706: Special Topics in Composition Theory, 3 cr.

This course completes a projected three-course sequence in the history and theory of rhetoric and composition. Subject will differ each year. P: Grad. st.

708: Advanced English Syntax. I or II; 3 cr.

The application of principles of
modern syntactic theory to selected areas of complex English grammar. P: English
329 or Linguistics 330.

709: Advanced English Phonology. I, II; 3 cr.

Problems of English segmental and suprasegmental phonology, including morphophonemic alterations and stress assignment. P: English 330 or cons inst.

710: Discourse Analysis. I or II; 3 cr.

The study of methods of accounting
for language in use, including a critical evaluation of approaches to different
discourse domains, from interactional language use to edited texts. Primary focus
is on relationships between grammar and discourse. P: English 329 or consent
of instructor.

711: Research on English as a Second Language. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

Current research on the teaching and learning of English as a second language (ESL). Theoretical background, research design, testing, and measurement. For students with professional interest in ESL. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad advsr.

712: Advanced Placement Seminar for High School Teachers. SS; 1-3 cr.

A seminar for high school advanced placement English courses, providing a workshop for sharing techniques and defining pedagogical objectives for AP courses. P: High school teachers or cons inst.

713: Topics in Contemporary English Linguistics. I or II; 3 cr.

Subject differs each year. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad advsr.

714: Topics in Historical English Linguistics. I or II; 3 cr.

Subject differs each year. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad advisr.

715: Advanced Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Sem; 3 cr.

Advanced topics in the study of the acquisition of English and other languages by adults and children. P: English 333 or consent of instructor.

722: Composition and Critical Theories. I, II; 3 cr.

Study of the relationship between composition and critical theories. P: English 700, Grad st & cons inst.

723: Critical Methods in British and American Literature. I; 3 cr.

Practical criticism and the theoretical principles behind it; examples using texts in British and American literature from various genres and periods. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

724: Narrative Literature. I, II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

725: Poetry. I, II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

726: Drama. I, II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

727: Literary Theory. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

737: Feminist Theory and Criticism. I, II, SS; 3 cr.

Methods and theories of feminist literary criticism. Subject will vary. P: Grad st.

751: Chaucer and the Courtly Tradition. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

752: Late Medieval Religious Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of dept Grad advsr.

753: Medieval Literature. (Crosslisted with Medieval 753.) 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad adviser.

760: The Literature of the 16th Century. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad adviser.

761: The Literature of the 17th Century. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

762: Renaissance Dramatic Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

763: Seminar-Special Topics in Renaissance Literature. I or II; 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad adviser.

764: Seminar-Special Topics in Renaissance Literature. I or II; 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

770: English Literature, 1660-1700. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

Selected works, with an emphasis on literary and cultural background. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept grad advsr.

771: English Literature, 1700-1745. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

Selected works, with an emphasis on literary and cultural background. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

772: English Literature, 1745-1798. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

Selected works, with an emphasis on literary and cultural background. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

773: Eighteenth Century British Novel. I or II; 3 cr.

Selected major novels in English, 1660-1800, including works by writers such as Defoe, Fielding, Richardson, Smollett, and Sterne. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

780: Creative Writing: Graduate Workshop. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

The course provides professional training in the writing of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction. The topic of the course will vary from semester to semester. P: Submission of writing sample to instr before reg. Grad or LS9 st.

781 Creative Writing: Fiction Graduate Workshop. I or II; 3 cr.

For MFA students only and by special permission.

782:  Creative Writing:  Poetry Graduate Workshop. I or II; 3 cr.

For MFA students only and by special permission.

783:  Creative Writing Pedagogy Seminar.  I; 3 cr.

For MFA students only and by special permission.

790: Proseminar in the Teaching of Writing; 1 cr.

Provides an introduction to the teaching of writing; guides first-time and prospective teachers in the development and implementation of syllabi and assignments for, and evaluation of, first-year student writing class in English. P:

795:  Creative Writing Thesis Hours

For MFA students only.

799: Independent Reading. I or II or SS; 1-6 cr.

P: Cons of English Grad adviser & director of English Grad division.

801: The English Romantic Period. I or II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

802: The English Victorian Period. I or II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

806: Aesthetic Movements in Later Victorian Literature. I, II; 3 cr.

The Pre-Raphaelite, Aesthetic, and Decadent Movements, focussing on early modernist avant-garde elements in literature. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad adviser.

810: Major American Novelists. I, II; 3 cr.

An intensive study of the development of the American novel from Brown through Dreiser and Wharton. P: Grad st and approval of English dept grad adviser.

811: Major American Poets. I, II; 3 cr.

An intensive course in American poetry from Taylor through Frost. P: Grad st and approval of English dept grad adviser.

812: Literature of the American Renaissance. I; 3 cr.

An intensive study of American literature of the period 1835-1860. P: Grad st and approval of English dept grad adviser.

813: American Realism. I, II, SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

822: 20th Century American Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

823: Twentieth Century Literature. I, II; 3 cr.

Selected twentieth-century British and/or American figures, works or movements in cultural and literary context. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

824: Seminar: Special Topics in Restoration & 18th Century English Literature. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

845: Seminar: Special Topics in 19th Century English Literature. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

846: Seminar: Special Topics in 19th Century English Literature. 2-3 cr.

Continuation of 845 P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

860: Main Problems of Scholarship in English Lit of the 20th Century. I or II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

867: Seminar: Modern Literature. I or II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

873: Seminar: Special Topics in 20th Century English and American Literature. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

874: Seminar: Special Topics in 20th Century English and American Literature. 2-3 cr.

Continuation of 873 P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

900: Seminar: Special Topics in Composition and Rhetoric. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: English 319 & 329; or cons inst.

900. Seminar: Topics in Language and Cognition in the Composing Process. Sem; 3 cr.

Topics vary. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

901. Seminar: Topics in the Structure of Written Communication. Sem; 3 cr.

Topics vary. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

905: Seminar: Topics in Applied English Linguistics. I or II; 3 cr.

Topics vary. P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

906: Seminar: The English Language. 3 cr.

Topics vary. P: Grad st & cons of English dept Grad advsr.

935: Advanced Seminar: English Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

936: Advanced Seminar: English Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

939: Seminar: Feminist Theory and Criticism. I, II, SS; 3 cr.

Research in feminist theory and criticism. P: Grad st.

940: Main Problems of Scholarship in American Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

942: Seminar: American Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr. Feltskog.

943: Seminar: The Literature of Colonial America. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

945: Seminar: American Literature 1775-1836. I or II or SS; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

949: Seminar: Special Topics in American Literature Up to 1914. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

950: Seminar: Topics in Medieval Literature. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad adviser. (Crosslisted with Medieval 950.)

956: Seminar: Topics in Renaissance Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st, cons of Eng dept Grad adviser.

960: Seminar: Topics in Restoration & 18th Century English Literature. 2-3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

965: Seminar: Topics in Nineteenth Century English Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

971: Seminar: Topics in 19th Century American Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

975: Seminar: Topics in 20th Century British Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

976: Seminar: Topics in 20th Century American Literature. 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

977: Seminar: Topics in 20th Century American and British Drama. I or II; 3 cr.

P: Grad st & cons of Eng dept Grad advsr.

990: Research in English. 1-12 cr.

In connection with the doctoral thesis. Consult graduate adviser. P: Grad st & cons PhD adviser.

999: Independent Reading for PhD Candidates. I or II or SS; 1-12 cr.

Consult graduate adviser. P: Completion of PhD. English course requirements: consult Eng dept PhD adv.

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