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Courses


English Courses at WKU


Literature

Prequisite for all upper level literature courses: ENG 200 or its equivalent

ENG 320 American Studies I - 3 Hours
Designed to examine the diverse origins and the decisive elements in the development of American culture and to provide a wide cultural appreciation and a greater understanding of the mainstream of American thought.

ENG 321 American Studies II - 3 Hours
Designed to examine further the diverse origins and the decisive elements in the development of American culture and to provide a wide cultural appreciation and a greater understanding of the mainstream of American thought.

ENG 333 Medieval Literature - 3 Hours
A survey of representative literary works of the Middle Ages selected from various cultures, with an emphasis on the continuities of medieval literary traditions and cultural values. Non-English works will be read in translation.

ENG 340 Speculative Fiction - 3 Hours
A survey of the development of the genre, including science fiction, and its relationship to main literary currents.

ENG 354 History of Drama to 1640 - 3 Hours
A comprehensive course which traces the major developments in drama from the ancient Greeks to 1640. Emphasis on representative dramatists and plays.

ENG 355 History of Drama since 1640 - 3 Hours
A continuation of ENG 354.

ENG 360 Gay and Lesbian Literature - 3 Hours
Introduction to gay and lesbian literature form antiquity to present, with emphasis on concepts of sex and gender, critical theory, and cultural constructionism in global and historical contexts.

ENG 370 Multicultural Literature in America - 3 Hours
Study of literature written in the U.S. by writers from such racial and ethnic groups as African Americans, Asian Americans, Jews, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans.

ENG 380 Masterpieces of English Literature - 3 Hours
Provides for familiarity with the better-known works of leading authors. May be counted toward minor in writing but not toward English major or minor.

ENG 381 Survey of English Literature I - 3 Hours
A study of selected works by representative major authors reflecting the chronological development of English lietrature to 1798.

ENG 382 Survey of English Literature II - 3 Hours
A study of selected works by representative major authors reflecting the chronological development of English literature from 1798 to the present.

ENG 385 World Literature - 3 Hours
Study of selected works in translation by major figures in world literature from ancient Greece to modern Europe, exclusive of British and American writers.

ENG 386 Women Writers - 3 Hours
A selection of works by women writers, emphasizing a literary tradition in women's writing.

ENG 387 Studies in Autobiography - 3 Hours
An examination of the literary components and cultural context of autobiographical works, with particular emphasis on under-represented groups, gender, race, and class.

ENG 390 Masterpieces of American Literature - 3 Hours
Provides for familarity with the better-known works of leading American authors. May be counted toward minor in writing but not towar English major or minor.

ENG 391 Survey of American Literature I - 3 Hours
A study of selected works by representative major authors reflecting the chronological development of American Literature to 1865.

ENG 392 Survey of American Literaure II - 3 Hours
A study of selected works by representative major authors reflecting the chronological development of American Literature from 1865 to the present.

ENG 393 Africian American Literature - 3 Hours
A critical study of the contributions of African-American writers to American literature.

ENG 395 Contemporary Literature - 3 Hours
A study of represnetative literature since World War II, stressing significant writers, thematic concerns, experiments in technique, and selected criticism. The course content, variable by genre, focuses primarily on fiction, poetry, or drama in alternate semesters.

396 Mythology - 3 Hours
Greek, Roman and Norse myths and their influence on art and literature.

ENG 398 Hemingway and Faulkner - 3 Hours Gen ED B-1
Prerequisite: ENG 200 and honors participation or 3.2 GPA required.
A critical study of the major literary works of Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.
For honors students only.

ENG 399 Topics in English - 3 Hours
A semester-long, detailed study of a specific topic in language, literature, or composition.

ENG 455 American Drama - 3 Hours
This course deals with the development of American drama from colonial productions to present-day plays.

ENG 457 Modern British Literature - 3 Hours
A study of twentieth-century British literature with emphasis on modernism, inlcuding fiction, poetry, and drama; focus on innovations in literary form and cultural context.

ENG 459 Modern Drama - 3 Hours
A selected study of dramatic literature since Ibsen with emphasis on evolving developments and trends in world theatre.

ENG 460/G Literary Criticism Historical Perspectives - 3 Hours
Historical introduction to literary theory, with readings in Western criticism form Plato through the modern period. Focus on historical foundations of contemporary theory, including interpretation, evaluation, and the function of literature.

ENG 462/G Topics in Contemporary Literay Theory - 3 Hours
Focusing on developments in literary theory since the middle of the twentieth century, this course devotes special attention to a particular area in post-structuralism (e.g., theory and practice of deconstruction, post-Freudian, feminist, new historical, or cultural criticism.)

ENG 481/G Chaucer - 3 Hours
Representative works of Chaucer, with emphasis on the Canterbury Tales; some attention to the medieval background.

ENG 482/G Shakespeare I - 3 Hours
Major plays from each stage of Shakespeare's career studied in the light of current Shakespearean criticism and writings from the time.

ENG 483 The English Renaissance - 3 Hours
Poetry and prose of the Renaissance, with emphasis on Spenser.

ENG 484/G The Romantic Movement - 3 Hours
Background and phases of romanticism, with a study of representative exponents of the romantic movement.

ENG 485/G The Seventeenth Century - 3 Hours
The concentrated study of seventeenth century literature, forms, and developments.

ENG 486/G The Eighteenth Century - 3 Hours
The concentrated study of eighteenth century literature, forms, and developments.

ENG 487/G Dante - 3 Hours
An intensive study of the Divine Comedy, in English translation, with attention to the medieval background.

ENG 488/G Literature of the Victorian Age - 3 Hours
A study of selected works by major poets, essayists, and novelists of Victorian England as a reflection of the culture of the age.

ENG 489/G The English Novel - 3 Hours
The technique and history of the novel. Several representative novels studied.

ENG 490 The American Novel - 3 Hours
History and technique of the American novel from Cooper to the present. Several representative novels are studied.

ENG 493 American Poetry - 3 Hours
This course examines, in addition to major writers, selected major movements and schools in American poetry, with special attention to influences, techniques, and styles.

ENG 494 Kentucky Literature - 3 Hours
A survey of literary people and places in Kentucky, detailed study of several works of Kentucky writers.

ENG 495 Southern Literature - 3 Hours
This course traces the development of unique Southern characters as exhibited in the works of major writers of the South.

ENG 496 Women's Poetry - 3 Hours
Themes, aesthetic importance, and historical context of poems predominantly by American women from 1650 to today.

ENG 497 Women's Fiction - 3 Hours
An examination of the themes, aesthetic importance, and historical context of canonical and noncanonical ficton by women, with emphasis on twentieth century American and British women writers.

ENG 498 Robert Penn Warren Seminar - 3 Hours
An intensive study of the fiction, poetry, and non-fiction of Robert Penn Warren, a major writer of particular interest and importance to our English program at WKU.

ENG 499 Directed Study in English - 3 Hours
A study of a specific literary or linguistic topic directed by a faculty member.


Summary of Graduate Classes in Literature

ENG 530 American Short Story

ENG 571 British Masterpieces in the Classroom

ENG 572 American Masterpieces in the Classroom

ENG 579 Studies in Victorian Literature

ENG 583 Shakespeare II

ENG 586 Seminar in British Writers

ENG 591 American Romanticism

ENG 594 Contemporary Fiction

ENG 596 Seminar in American Writers

ENG 597 Special Topics in English





Writing



ENG 203 Creative Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and 200
An introduction to the writing of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and drama as genres of literary expression.

ENG 301 Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 300
For students preparing for professional or graduate schools and general studies seeking to improve their writing. Major attention to how idea and audience determine purpose, form, and content of writing.

ENG 303 Fiction Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 and ENG 203 or permission of instructor
A concentrated study of the techniques of writing fiction, emphasizing contemporary theory and practice.

ENG 305 Poetry Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 and ENG 203 or permission of instructor
An intensive course in the writing of poetry. Some attention to the practice and prevalent theories of contemporary poets.

ENG 306 Business Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 100
Designed to meet the needs of students in business fields, this course teaches the preparation of written reports, case studies, and other forms of professional writing.

ENG 307 Technical Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 100
Designed to meet the needs of students in engineering and other technical fields, this course teaches the preparation of written and oral reports. Emphasizes formal and informal reports, but also included various kinds of business letters, memoranda, and other forms necessary in the students' future professional role.

ENG 311 Creative Nonfiction Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 and ENG 203 or permission of instructor
An intensive study of the writing of creative nonfiction (literary nonfiction prose), with emphasis on contemporary theory and practice.

ENG 358 Drama Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 and ENG 203 or premission of instructor
A concentrated study of the techniques of drama writing emphasizing contemporary theory and practice.

ENG 401/G Advanced Composition - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 And ENG 300
Theory and performance in the essay of ideas with stress on the essay form and coherence, sentence and paragraph design, punctuation, research paper technique, and other writing conventions.

ENG 402/G Editing and Publishing - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: 9 hours of writing beyond general education courses
Editing collections of student works in several types, including experience in computer text editing, lectures by visiting publishers and editors of books, journals, and newspapers.

ENG 403/G Writing Memoir and Autobiography - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 and ENG 300
A course in the techniques of writing autobiography; readings will be chosen primarily from contemporary American examples of the genre.

ENG 409 Practicum in One-To-One Writing Instruction - 1 Hour
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 200 or any other course from Gen Ed Cat. B1
Participants will study the theory and practice of writing conferences and tutorials. Course will prepare participants to work individually with students in tutorial settings.

ENG 410/G Theories of Rhetoric and Composition - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 304
A study of classical and contemporary theories of rhetoric and composition with an emphasis on the application of the theories to writing and the teaching of writing.

ENG 411 Directed Writing - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
A tutorial for students to work under the supervision of a writing instructor. Students choose the form of writing they wish to pursue.

ENG 412/G History of Rhetoric - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 200 or any other course in Gen Ed Cat. B1
This course surveys classical, traditional, and contemporary rhetoric as it is applied to written discourse. Emphasis will be placed on invention, arrangement, and style. Readings will include the work of classical and modern rhetoricians. Rhetorically oriented methods of teaching written discourse will be considered.

ENG 413 Advanced Creative Writing Workshop - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: Two upper level writing courses; for creative writing majors or minors with senior standing
A capstone course in the creative writing concentration; provides a workshop setting for students with substantial creative writing projects.

ENG 414 Advanced Professional Writing Workshop - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: Two upper level professional writing courses and senior standing
A capstone course for students in the professional writing concentration; provides a workshop setting for students with substantial writing projects and culminates in production of a portfolio of professional writing.

ENG 415 Writing and Technology - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 300
Study of issues surrounding interrelations of technology and writing; effects of technologies (e.g., printing press, computers) on writing processes and on types of writing; institutional changes wrought by computers.



Summary of Graduate Classes in Writing


ENG 501 Graduate Writing Workshop

ENG 502 Graduate Directed Writing

ENG 509 Practicum in One-to-One Writing Instruction

ENG 510 Graduate Rhetoric and Writing




Language and Linguistics


ENG 104 Introduction to Linguistics - 3 Hours
A general introduction to language study with emphasis on units of sound, units of meaning, sentence structure, dialects, and other cultural aspects of language. Focus is on the English language.

ENG 302 Language and Communication - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 100
A course in English grammar and usage designed primarily for elementary education majors. Emphasis is given to sentence structure. Attention is also given to the nature of language, historical backgrounds, dialects, and standards of correctness.

ENG 304 English Language - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 100
A study of the sounds, word structures, and sentence patterns of modern English, with emphasis given to parts of speech, phrases, and clauses.

ENG 404/G Hist/English Language - 3 Hours
Origin and development of the language from Indo-European to Modern English with emphasis on developments in the sound system, vocabulary, and grammar; historical and cultural effects.

ENG 407/G Linguistics Analysis - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 104, [or] ENG 302, [or] ENG 304, or an equivalent
The study of current linguisitc theory, which includes the important levels of language as a means of communication, as well as some of the various theories and applications of linguistic theory or other fields of study.

ENG 408/G Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 407/G
The study of how sociology and psychology contribute to the study of linguistics. Emphasis on social and regional dialects, first and second language acquisition, and speech perception and production.


TESL


ENG 469 Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: One linguistics course
An introduction to theories, methods, and materials for teaching English as a second or foreign language.

ENG 470 Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 469 or ENG 469/G and one linguistics course
Selecting and evaluating commercially-prepared materials and developing teacher-made materials for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).



Summary of Graduate Classes in TESL


ENG 508 TESL Field Experience

ENG 565 Integrated Teaching ESL

ENG 566 Teaching and Testing ESL Grammar


Film


ENG 309 Documentary Film - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 200 or its equivalent
Introductory study of documentary film and theory with special attention to the genre's complex reception as "nonfiction" in diverse social and cultural contexts. Among the forms to be studied are the essay film, cinema verite, reportage, and mockumentary. Will include a film viewing lab.

ENG 365 Literature and Film - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 200 or its equivalent
Examines the relationship between literary techniques and those specific to cinema; how to "read" film; modes of adaptation as an historically specific interpretive process.

ENG 366 History of Narrative Film - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 200
Examines the history and development of narrative film from the silent era to the present. Emphasis on specific narrative conventions of Hollywood cinema.

ENG 368 Japanese Cinema in Translation - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: ENG 200
Examines major periods, genres and figures in Japanese cinema, with appropriate background readings in Japanese history/culture. Emphasizes a comparison of Japanese cinema with Hollywood and explores the influence of Japanese cinema on other world cinema.

ENG 465/G Film Genres - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 100 and ENG 200; BCOM 271 or ENG 365, or instructor's permission
Study of the historical development, thematic and stylistic conventions, and cultural significance of film genre(s). Surveys representative films from one or two genres, e.g. film noir and the Western; romantic comedy and family melodrama; horror and science fiction; the musical; the war film; the epic.

ENG 466/G Film Theory - 3 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 366, ENG 365, BCOM271 or permission of the instructor
Study of major theories of narrative film and related media; specific theories examined will include formalist, auteurist, historical, structuralist, psychoanalytical and political. Will include viewing of selected films.

(create link to film minor)



Other



ENG 202 Honors Forum - .5 hour
An informal intrtoduction to English honors. Topics vary by term.

ENG 299 Introduction to English Studies - 2 Hours
Prerequisites: ENG 200 or permission of instructor
Introduction to the discipline of English studies, including exploration of issues and conflicts within the discipline, strategies for reading and researching literary texts, overview of requirements and opportunities within the major and introduction to career and graduate study options.

ENG 369 Cooperative Education in English I (Internship) - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to departmental cooperative program
Appropriate supervised work with a cooperating organization.

ENG 389 Cooperative Education in English II (Internship) - 3 Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to departmental cooperative program
Appropriate supervised work with a cooperating organization.

ENG 492 Senior Seminar - 1 Hour
In the Senior Seminar students will synthesize and assess what they have learned over the course of the English major by reviewing the discipline of English, exploring career and graduate studies opportunities, and collecting and revising selected major projects from previous classes.


Summary of Other Graduate Classes

ENG 520 Introduction to Graduate Studies

ENG 599 Thesis Research and Writing (6 Hours)

ENG 600 Maintaining Matriculation (1 to 6 Hours)












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