ENGLISH DEPARTMENT UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
ENGLISH COURSES
English Composition Requirement
All students at Southern Connecticut State University must take two semesters of English composition; ENG 111 (formerly ENG 100) Composition I and ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101) Composition II) with the following exceptions:
Students who place into ENG 110 (formerly ENG 98) Composition Writing Lab, or ENG 099 English for Foreign Students, upon placement examination;
Students who place into ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101) Composition II, upon placement examination;
Students who transfer from other institutions with ENG 111 equivalent credit.
With the exception of transfer students who have prior credit in English composition, placement into English composition courses is by examination only. The English composition placement examination is offered each year in April, May, June, July, and October.
Contact Professor Kelly Ritter, Coordinator of Composition at (203) 392-7048 or by email with questions about the English composition courses sequence or the English composition placement examination.
University Literature Requirement
The following course satisfies the University Requirement for literature:
ENG 217--Introduction to Literature
All students may elect additional introduction to literature courses as free electives.
Prerequisites in English
ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101) is a prerequisite for any higher-numbered course in ENG or LIT. All students must take any one of the University Literature
courses to be eligible for any advanced course in English or literature.
ENG 97--Tutorial in Basic English
A writing tutorial designed to assist students needing individualized instruction in grammar, usage, and basic language skills. By placement exam or permission of instructor. Does not meet the English composition requirement. 0 credits.
ENG 99--English for Foreign Students
Instruction and practice in oral and written college-level English. Individual drill, as needed, in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Does not satisfy the English composition requirement. By assignment only. 3 credits.
ENG 110--Composition: Writing Lab
A writing laboratory offering individual guidance to students in need of intensive training and practice in basic writing skills before taking ENG 111 (formerly ENG 100). Does not satisfy the English composition requirement. By assignment only. 3 credits.
ENG 111--Composition
Instruction and practice in expository writing with appropriate readings and discussion to emphasize the importance of responsible and effective use of language. Does not satisfy the English composition requirement. By assignment only. 3 credits.
ENG 112--Composition II
Continuation of work on writing skills begun in English 111 (formerly ENG 100) with a focus on intellectually demanding texts to develop critical reading and
critical writing skills. A research paper will be required. By assignment only. Satisfies the freshman composition requirement (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 200--Intermediate Composition
Course in expository writing, teaching the command of language.
ENG 201--Introduction to Creative Writing
Emphasis on the basic craft of writing poetry and stories. Selections from contemporary literature are used as creative writing models. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 202--Introduction to Poetry Writing
Exercises in the fundamentals of poetry writing: meter, figurative language, tone, and structure. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101) 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 203--Introduction to Fiction Writing
Exercises in character, conflict, point of view, tone, plot, setting, scene, and narration -- culminating in a complete short story. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 217--Themes in Literature
A major theme in world and/or British and/or American literature, such as the hero, romantic love, politics, will be explored through an examination of the texts of important authors. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 240--Professional Writing: Theory and Practice
The study of how language works in written expression, from articles in trade journals to poetry. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 301--Introduction to Literary Analysis and Critical Theory
Introduction to literary criticism and theory, rhetorical terms, documentation formats, and literary critical thinking. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101) and University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 302--Intermediate Poetry Writing
Continued practice and instruction in the craft of writing poetry. Prerequisite: ENG 202 or departmental permission. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 304--Technical Writing and Communication
Interpreting specialized and technical information for readers at various levels and preparing material for publication. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3
credits.
ENG 306--Intermediate Fiction Writing
Continued practice and instruction in the craft of writing fiction. Prerequisite: ENG 203 or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 312--English Grammar Systems
Study of three major English grammar systems (traditional, structural, and transformational), including some history of the language. Emphasis on modern linguistic principles and on social, regional, and functional varieties of English usage. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 313--The Study of Words
The study of the formation and derivation of words. Emphasis on English words and forms derived from Latin and Greek elements. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 314--Poetry
Study of the nature and elements of poetry and of traditions associated with various poetic forms. Prerequisite: ENG 101. 3 credits.
ENG 316--Writing for Business and Industry
Practice in gathering and analyzing data and in writing and editing specialized reports, manuals, and correspondence. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 317-Cross-Cultural Literatures and Contexts
An introduction to cross-cultural literature and their
contexts. Students will become familiar
with a range of literatures: African/African-American, Asian/Asian-American,
Latino/Latin American, and Native American literature written by male and
female authors; literary texts representing other cultures may be included at
individual professors' discretion. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 325--English Medieval Literature
A study of the major prose, poetry, and drama of the medieval period in England. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 329--Modern British Poetry
Representative 20th-century British poets, with emphasis on Yeats, Eliot, Pound, and Auden. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 331--British Novel to 1900
Major and minor novelists including such writers as Defoe, Fielding, Richardson, Behn, Austen, Thackery, Eliot, and Hardy. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 339--Modern British Novel
Prominent 20th-century British novelists. Prerequisite: university literature
requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 342--Shakespeare I: 1564-1601
A study of the development of Shakespeare's dramatic art through a reading of the histories, comedies, and tragedies from the earliest works through Twelfth Night. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 343--Shakespeare II: 1601-1616
A study of Shakespeare's mature art through a reading of the problem comedies, the great tragedies, and the dramatic romances. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 344--Shakespeare's Contemporaries
A selection of plays by Shakespeare's most notable and creative peers, who wrote during a high point in English dramatic production. May include works by Marlowe, Kyd, Jonson, Dekker, Marston, Middleton, Webster, Ford, and Elizabeth Cary. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 360--Early American Writers
The major works in the age of settlement, revolution, and early romanticism. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 361--American Renaissance
American writing of the mid-19th century: Romanticism, Sentimentalism,
Transcendentalism. Prerequisite: University literature requirement.
3 credits.
ENG 362--American Realism
American writing from the post-Civil War period to the turn of the century.
Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 365--Literature of the American West
Study of the literature about the trans-Mississippi West. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 366--American Poetry
Study of American poetry. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 367--Poetic Theory: Contempoary American Free Verse
Intensive study of contemporary poetry theory with an emphasis on free verse and its development in 20th-century American poetry: prosodic and rhythmic devices. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 371-Literature Into Film
An examination of the dynamics involved in the cinematic renderings of literary narratives. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 380--Chaucer
Chaucer's poetry, with special emphasis on The Canterbury Tales. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 383--American Women Writers
A study of American women writers of the 17th century to the present, including Bradstreet, Dickinson, Chopin, Cather, Wharton, Hurston, and O'Connor. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 397--Composition Internship
An internship in one of the introductory-level, writing-focused courses offered by the English Department for an upper division student with particular interests and strengths in writing. Prerequisite: Upper division standing. 3 credits.
ENG 402--Advanced Poetry Writing
Workshop in poetry writing for advanced students. Prerequisite: ENG 302 or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 405--Techniques of Teaching Composition
The course provides intensive experience through writing and analysis, with a variety of techniques to stimulate and evaluate many forms of writing. For prospective English teachers. Prerequisite: ENG 112 (formerly ENG 101). 3 credits.
ENG 406--Advanced Fiction Writing
Workshop in fiction writing for advanced students. Prerequisite: ENG 306 or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 407--Writing the Novel I
Students approach the difficulties of writing a novel from outline and synopsis to character analyses and sample chapter. Prerequisite: ENG 203 or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 408--Writing the Novel II
Students continue to develop plot, conflict, and theme in a long fictional work. Prerequisite: ENG 407 or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 415--History of the Language
Historical, cultural, political, and linguistic survey of the origins and development of the English language. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 421--Feminist Theory and Literary Criticism
Inquiry into the fundamental problems of feminist thought, critical theory, and literary criticism. 3 credits.
ENG 423--Contemporary African-American Novelists
An examination of recent African-American novelists such as Morrison, Naylor, Johnson and Wideman, with particular emphasis on emerging writers. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 424--The Harlem Renaissance
An examination of the major poets and writers of fiction of the Harlem Renaissance, including Toomer, Johnson, Thurman, McKay, Larsen and Hughes. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 428--Victorian Age Literature.
British literature of the Victorian era, 1837-1901. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 444--18th-Century British Literature
Study of the British writers of the 18th century. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 447--American Drama
American dramatic literature from colonial times to the present. Plays by Tyler, Boucicault, Mowatt, Howard, Herne, Moody, O'Neill, Wilder, Williams, Albee, and others. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 452--Renaissance in England
Literature of the Renaissance in England, excluding Shakespeare. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 454--17th-Century British Literature
A survey of the major non-dramatic writers (poets as well as prose writers) and the literary movements. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 455--19th-Century British Literature: 1837-1900
Major writers from Tennyson to Hardy. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 458--English Romantic Poets
Major British Romantic writers: Blake, Scott, Dorothy Wordsworth, William Wordsworth, Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, Byron, Keats. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits. For Sample Syllabus, Click Here
ENG 459--British Drama
A study of the development of British drama from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, using representative plays to illustrate continuity and change. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 460--Queer Theory
An investigation of important theorists of sexuality such as Judith Butler, Helene Cixous, Michel Foucault, and Sigmund Freud. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 461--The Beat Movement
A survey of important Beat writers such as William Burroughs, Diane DiPrima, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 462--Gay and Lesbian Film and Literature
A survey of gay and lesbian literature and film in several genres, including documentaries, comedies, camp parodies, and dramas. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 463--20th-Century American Novel
Representative 20th-century American novels. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.;
ENG 484--Milton
Study of Milton's poetry. Prerequisite: University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 486--Seminar in American Literature
Intensive study of a major writer or a selected topic, with choices changing each term. Prerequisite: open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed the University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 487--Seminar in British Literature
Intensive study of a major writer or a selected topic, with choices changing each term. Prerequisite: Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed the University literature requirement. 3 credits.
ENG 492--Teaching Literature to Adolescents
English language arts students learn the theories, pedagogies, and practices associated with teaching poetry, novels, drama, and short fiction to young adults. Work for the course includes a fieldwork component. Prerequisites: Acceptance to the School of Education and junior or senior standing. 3 credits.
ENG 497--Internship in Teaching Writing
An internship in one of the introductory-level, writing-focused courses offered by the English Department for an upper division student with particular interests and strengths in writing. Prerequisite: Upper division standing. 3 credits.
ENG 498--Professional Writing Internship
Practical experience in writing and editing reports, correspondence, and technical materials for area businesses, industries, and government and community agencies directed by a company supervisor and a faculty member. Prerequisite: One professional writing course and B or above on the professional writing exam or departmental permission. 3 credits.
ENG 499--Independent Study
Prerequisite: Departmental permission. 3 credits.
