English
http://www.whitworth.edu/english
Majors: Track I (Literature) | Track II (Writing) | Track III (English/Language Arts)
Minors: English Minor | English/Language Arts Minor | Medieval and Early Modern Studies Minor
The English program includes three emphases: literature, writing, and preparation for secondary teaching. All majors in English complete a core of courses to establish a strong foundation in literature and literary concepts, terms and critical theories. Careful reading, judicious research and clear and imaginative writing comprise the program’s goals for a Whitworth English major. Additionally, the English program seeks to instill in our graduates a love of reading and writing. Through our courses, research and shared community events, we hope to encourage our students in lives of spiritual commitment and resolution to act as stewards of God’s creation while promoting civil and personal justice at home and in the community.
The learning outcomes of this major prepare the student as follows:
- At the completion of their lower-division coursework, all English majors (Tracks I, II and III) should have acquired a command of foundational literary terminology; a basis for understanding the themes and histories of British, American and world literatures; the ability to craft critical readings of several genres of literary texts; experiences in writing in different genres.
- By graduation, students completing Tracks I and II (literature and writing) will also exhibit more advanced literary skills, including improved aesthetic discernment; oral interpretation and presentation skills; enlarged literary and personal vocabulary; critical reading, thinking, and writing skills; facility with several critical approaches to literary analysis; and a command of research methods, bibliographic resources and documentation.
- At the completion of their upper-division work for Tracks I and II, students should demonstrate in-depth knowledge of several literary eras as well as the major writers and works of those eras; an ability to write a variety of literary analyses and genres; and competence in working with other students’ editing and revising their own writing.
- At the completion of their upper-division work, Track III (teaching) students should also have established a broad knowledge of subjects expected of the secondary teacher of English and language arts, and should be able to fulfill the state-mandated requirements for endorsement in language arts or another related field, as set in the current catalog.
Requirements for an English Major, B.A.
Track I: Literature (46)
Requirements for Track I: Literature (46) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE (3 credits) | ||
These courses include an introduction to basic literary terms; practice in close reading and analysis; practice in writing literary analysis; coverage of more than one genre; and a multicultural American component in the kinds of literature read and/or in the issues focused on in the literature (e.g., issues of ethnicity, gender, or class in the American context). | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
EL 122 | Gender and Faith in Film and Literature | |
EL 124 | African American Literature | |
EL 125 | Reading Literature | |
EL 126 | Women Writers | |
EL 127 | African American Women Writers | |
EL 128 | Multicultural American Literature | |
EL 130 | Latina & Caribbean Women Writers | |
EL 131 | Native American Literature | |
EL 132 | American Immigrant Literature | |
EL 136 | Asian American Literature | |
Note: Other 100-level literature courses designated by the department may in some cases be used to fulfill this requirement. | ||
| 2. FOUNDATIONS (15 credits) | ||
These courses provide a foundation for further study of literature. | ||
| Literature Surveys (Take one American survey and both British surveys.) | 9 | |
EL 205 | American Literature Before 1865 | |
| or EL 206 | American Literature After 1865 | |
EL 207 | British Literature Before 1800 | |
EL 208 | British Literature Since 1800 | |
| Global Literatures (Choose one of the following courses.) | 3 | |
EL 233 | The Epic | |
EL 251 | Modern Global Literature | |
EL 359 | Contemporary Fiction From Eastern Europe | |
EL 363 | Seminar in Poetry of Witness | |
EL 430 | Holocaust Literature | |
EL 454 | Russian Literature | |
| Literary Critical Reading (Choose one of the following courses.) | 3 | |
EL 267 | Introduction to Critical Strategies | |
| or EL 484 | Literary Criticism | |
| 3. DISTRIBUTIVE REQUIREMENTS (18 credits) | ||
15 of these credits must be upper division credits. | ||
Distributive requirements give students the opportunity to study literature from a variety of historical periods and perspectives. | ||
| a. Beginnings Through Renaissance | 6 | |
EL 247 | Shakespeare | |
| or EL 447 | Shakespeare Seminar | |
EL 338 | Arthurian Literature | |
EL 371W | British Renaissance | |
EL 374W | 17th Century British Poetry/Milton Milton | |
EL 404 | Anglo Saxon Literature and Culture | |
EL 405W | Chaucer and Medieval Literature | |
| b. 18th-19th Century | 6 | |
EL 307W | Women in American Fiction | |
EL 308W | 18th Century British Literature | |
EL 317 | Whitman/Dickinson Seminar | |
EL 321W | The American Novel to 1900 | |
EL 342 | British Women Writers | |
EL 372W | American Renaissance | |
EL 373 | Poe | |
EL 375W | Victorian Literature | |
EL 376W | British Romanticism | |
EL 378 | Jane Austen | |
EL 401W | Moby Dick | |
EL 465W | English Novel | |
| c. 20th-21st Century | 6 | |
EL 216 | Modern Drama | |
EL 305W | Contemporary American Poetry | |
EL 310 | Northwest Writers | |
EL 316 | American Drama Since 1900 | |
EL 331W | Southern Renaissance | |
EL 349W | 20th Century American Fiction | |
EL 359 | Contemporary Fiction From Eastern Europe | |
EL 360W | 20th Century British Literature | |
EL 361 | 20th Century British Poetry | |
EL 368 | Postcolonial British Literature | |
EL 377W | Modern Poetry | |
EL 430 | Holocaust Literature | |
EL 436 | Francophone African Lit/Film | |
EL 449W | Postmodern Literature and Culture | |
| 4. ONE ADDITIONAL ENGLISH WRITING COURSE (3 credits) | 3 | |
Any English writing elective numbered higher than EL 210 may be used to fulfill this requirement. | ||
| 5. ENRICHMENT/ENGLISH ELECTIVES (6 credits) | 6 | |
Any additional English elective other than EL 110 (Writing I) may count toward these credits. | ||
| 6. EL 498, SENIOR PORTFOLIO (1 credit) | 1 | |
EL 498 | Senior Portfolio | |
Track II: Writing (46)
Requirements for Track II: Writing (46) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE (3 credits) | 3 | |
See Track I (Literature) for course options. | ||
| 2. FOUNDATIONS (9 credits) | ||
| Literature Surveys (Take one American and one British literature survey.) | 6 | |
EL 205 | American Literature Before 1865 | |
| or EL 206 | American Literature After 1865 | |
EL 207 | British Literature Before 1800 | |
| or EL 208 | British Literature Since 1800 | |
| One course in literary critical reading from the following: | 3 | |
EL 267 | Introduction to Critical Strategies | |
| or EL 484 | Literary Criticism | |
| 3. WRITING (21 credits) | ||
| EL 245 | Creative Writing | 3 |
| EL 304 | Fiction Writing | 3 |
| EL 345 | Poetry Writing | 3 |
| EL 346W | Essay Writing | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
EL 344 | Autobiographical Writing | |
| or EL 347W | Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
| Two of the following: | 6 | |
EL 210 | Writing II | |
EL 344 | Autobiographical Writing | |
EL 347W | Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
EL 348 | Literary Editing & Design | |
EL 358 | Composition Theory | |
EL 382 | Rhetorical Methods and Approaches | |
EL 388 | Structure and Development of the English Language | |
EL 420 | Writing Center: Theory and Practice | |
EL 444 | Advanced Writing Workshop | |
EL 453 | Introduction to Linguistics | |
- An approved upper-division writing seminar in English | ||
- An approved upper-division English special-topics course in writing/rhetoric | ||
- An approved upper-division communication course in writing/rhetoric | ||
- Teaching assistantship in EL 110 or other writing course | ||
- An approved internship in journalism, publication, etc. | ||
| 4. LITERATURE (12 credits) | 12 | |
One course in 20th- or 21st-century literature (3 credits) | ||
One upper-division elective in American literature (3 credits) | ||
Additional upper-division literature electives (6 credits) | ||
| 5. EL 498, SENIOR PORTFOLIO | 1 | |
EL 498 | Senior Portfolio | |
Track III: English/Language Arts (45)
Requirements for Track III: English/Language Arts (45) | ||
|---|---|---|
| This track is intended for students who are completing education certification or who plan to apply to a masters in teaching program immediately after graduation. | ||
Meets Washington state teaching endorsement requirements for English/language arts. | ||
All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated certification requirements. | ||
| 1. AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE (3 credits) | 3 | |
See Track I (Literature) for course options. | ||
| 2. LITERATURE (21 credits) | ||
| Literature Surveys (Take one American survey and both British surveys.) | 9 | |
EL 205 | American Literature Before 1865 | |
| or EL 206 | American Literature After 1865 | |
EL 207 | British Literature Before 1800 | |
EL 208 | British Literature Since 1800 | |
| Shakespeare (Choose one of the following courses.) | 3 | |
EL 247 | Shakespeare | |
| or EL 447 | Shakespeare Seminar | |
| Global Literatures (Choose one of the following courses.) | 3 | |
EL 233 | The Epic | |
EL 251 | Modern Global Literature | |
EL 359 | Contemporary Fiction From Eastern Europe | |
EL 363 | Seminar in Poetry of Witness | |
EL 430 | Holocaust Literature | |
EL 436 | Francophone African Lit/Film | |
EL 454 | Russian Literature | |
| Additional Literature Courses | 6 | |
One upper-division course in American or British Literature | ||
One additional upper-division literature course | ||
| 3. WRITING AND LANGUAGE (9 credits) | ||
| EL 387 | English Methods and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| EL 388 | Structure and Development of the English Language | 3 |
| One writing course from the following: | 3 | |
EL 210 | Writing II | |
EL 245 | Creative Writing | |
EL 304 | Fiction Writing | |
EL 344 | Autobiographical Writing | |
EL 345 | Poetry Writing | |
EL 346W | Essay Writing | |
EL 347W | Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
| 4. SPEECH, THEATER, AND MASS MEDIA (12 credits) | ||
| JMC 125 | Writing for Mass Media | 3 |
| TA 273 | Acting I | 3 |
| SP 210 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| Three semester credits selected from the following: | 3 | |
JMC 245 | Applied Journalism: Newspaper (1 credit) | |
JMC 247 | Applied Journalism: Yearbook (1 credit) | |
SP 362 | Argumentation and Debate (4 credits) | |
JMC 445 | Editorial Practicum: Newspaper (1 credit) | |
TA 145, 245, 345, 445 Theatre Production (1-2 credits) | ||
TA 270 | Stage Makeup & Costume Construction (2 credits) | |
TA 275 | Technical Theatre I (3 credits) | |
TA 375 | Technical Theatre II (3 credits) | |
| 5. SENIOR PORTFOLIO | 0 | |
During fall semester of senior year, Track III students must complete a writing portfolio, working with advisors from the English and education departments. | ||
Track III students, whose student teaching serves as a capstone experience, are NOT required to take EL 498 (Senior Portfolio), though they may choose to do so. | ||
English Minor (18)
Requirements for an English Minor (18) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE (3 credits) | 3 | |
See Track I (Literature) for course options. | ||
| 2. ENGLISH ELECTIVES (15 credits) | 15 | |
15 credits of approved English courses, including at least two upper-division courses (which may have prerequisites) | ||
Note: EL 110 (Writing I) does not count toward the English minor. | ||
English/Language Arts Minor (29-33)
Requirements for English/Language Arts Minor (29-33) | ||
|---|---|---|
| This minor is intended for students who are completing education certification or who plan to apply to a masters in teaching program immediately after graduation. | ||
Meets Washington state teaching endorsement requirements for English/language arts. | ||
All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated certification requirements. | ||
| 1. AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES COURSE (3 credits) | 3 | |
See Track I (Literature) for course options. | ||
| 2. LITERATURE (15 credits) | ||
| Literature Surveys (Take one American and one British literature survey.) | 6 | |
EL 205 | American Literature Before 1865 | |
| or EL 206 | American Literature After 1865 | |
EL 207 | British Literature Before 1800 | |
| or EL 208 | British Literature Since 1800 | |
| Global Literatures (Choose one of the following courses.) | 3 | |
EL 233 | The Epic | |
EL 251 | Modern Global Literature | |
EL 359 | Contemporary Fiction From Eastern Europe | |
EL 363 | Seminar in Poetry of Witness | |
EL 430 | Holocaust Literature | |
EL 436 | Francophone African Lit/Film | |
EL 454 | Russian Literature | |
| EL 387 | English Methods and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| One of the following (depending on level): | 3 | |
If secondary, one upper-division literature course (preferably Shakespeare) | ||
If elementary, one additional literature course | ||
| 3. WRITING AND LANGUAGE (6 credits) | ||
| EL 388 | Structure and Development of the English Language | 3 |
| One writing course numbered higher than EL 110 (Writing I) | 3 | |
| 4. SPEECH, THEATER, AND MASS MEDIA (5-9 credits) | ||
| SP 210 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| At least one semester credit selected from the following: | 1-3 | |
JMC 125 | Writing for Mass Media (3 credits) | |
JMC 245 | Applied Journalism: Newspaper (1 credit) | |
JMC 247 | Applied Journalism: Yearbook (1 credit) | |
JMC 445 | Editorial Practicum: Newspaper (1 credit) | |
SP 362 | Argumentation and Debate (4 credits) | |
| At least one semester credit selected from the following: | 1-3 | |
TA 145, 245, 345, 445 Theatre Production (1-2 credits) | ||
TA 270 | Stage Makeup & Costume Construction (2 credits) | |
TA 273 | Acting I (3 credits) | |
TA 275 | Technical Theatre I (3 credits) | |
TA 375 | Technical Theatre II (3 credits) | |
Medieval and Early Modern Studies Minor (19-20)
Requirements for Medieval and Early Modern Studies Minor (19-20) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note: No more than six lower-division credits may count toward this minor. | ||
| 1. CULTURE IN CONTEXT (3 credits) | 3 | |
EL 371W | British Renaissance | |
HI 425 | Holy War in Europe | |
EL 447 | Shakespeare Seminar | |
| 2. LITERATURE IN CONTEXT (6 credits) | 6 | |
EL 207 | British Literature Before 1800 | |
EL 371W | British Renaissance | |
EL 404 | Anglo Saxon Literature and Culture | |
EL 405W | Chaucer and Medieval Literature | |
EL 238, 338 Arthurian Literature | ||
| 3. HISTORY (6 credits) | 6 | |
HI 101 | The Mediterranean World | |
HI 120 | The Crusades | |
HI 315 | Medieval Europe | |
HI 345 | Cultural History of China and Japan | |
HI 364 | Medieval Russia: Mongols and Madmen | |
HI 425 | Holy War in Europe | |
| 4. ONE MORE COURSE from the lists above, or any course on medieval or early modern studies offered in history, English or other departments (3-4 credits) | 3-4 | |
| Note: LAT 102 or higher may fulfill this requirement. Examples of courses that could fulfill this requirement if those departments approve: | ||
AR 264 | History of Medieval Art | |
AR 261 | History of Renaissance and Baroque Art | |
EC 365W | History of Economic Thought | |
EL 247 | Shakespeare | |
EL 447 | Shakespeare Seminar | |
HI 374 | Renaissance & Reformation | |
MU 301 | Music History I | |
TH 313W | History of Christianity I | |
TA 476W | History of Theatre I | |
| 5. EL 497/HI 497, SENIOR PORTFOLIO FOR MEMS (1 credit) | 1 | |
HI/EL 497 Senior Portfolio | ||
English Courses
| EL 100 Research & Writing Workshop | 3 |
| Workshop format. Particular attention given to individual writing process. Focus will be on a full range of academic writing skills; projects include narratives, essays and culminate in a final research paper. Periodic offering in evening/accelerated program. | |
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| EL 109 Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| Introduction to critical writing in response to reading and research. Practice in using writing processes (invention, drafting, revision, editing) to create effective academic arguments. Style and grammar issues and strategies for avoiding plagiarism presented as needed. Offered in the continuing-studies program only. | |
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| EL 110 Writing I | 3 |
| An introduction to academic writing and research. Emphasis on revision and adaptation of writing for appropriate audiences. Practice in analyzing, synthesizing, and responding to academic readings focused on a topic. Workshop and discussion format. Does no count toward English majors or minors. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| EL 122 Gender and Faith in Film and Literature | 3 |
| Exploration of how religious beliefs shape our cultural and personal understandings of gender roles and gender identity. Also listed as WGS 122. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 124 African American Literature | 3 |
| Introduction to literary study through African American literature. Covers poetry, fiction, and drama. May also consider sermons, songs, and film by African Americans. | |
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| EL 125 Reading Literature | 3 |
| Introduction to literary genres: fiction, drama, and poetry. Attention to multicultural literature. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 126 Women Writers | 3 |
| An overview of women's literary history and an introduction to feminist literary theory. Emphasis on reading, discussion and student response through written and oral assignments. Also listed as WGS 126. | |
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| EL 127 African American Women Writers | 3 |
| Survey of the literature and cultural histories of African American women writers of the United States, including poetry, drama, fiction, essay, memoir, and a selection of black feminist scholarship and critical race theory. Elective for women's and gender studies minor and United States cultural studies minor. | |
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| EL 128 Multicultural American Literature | 3 |
| Survey of African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American literature. Readings in prose, poetry, drama, and film from at least two of the groups. | |
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| EL 130 Latina & Caribbean Women Writers | 3 |
| Study of contemporary novels, stories, poems, and films produced by Latina and Caribbean American women in light of historical, theoretical, and cultural contexts. Emphasis on reading and student response through written and oral assignments produced both individually and collaboratively. Also listed as EL 330, WGS 130/330. Jan Term. | |
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| EL 131 Native American Literature | 3 |
| Emphasis on fiction and poetry since 1965, with a look at autobiographies of 19th-century Crow man and woman, three Native-made / starring / themed movies, and footage of contemporary pow-wow dancing. N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, Linda Hogan, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and others. | |
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| EL 132 American Immigrant Literature | 3 |
| Explores the American immigrant experience through stories, journals, poems, and plays written by explorers, colonists, and immigrants from the time of Columbus to the present. A multicultural introduction to the major genres (fiction, poetry, drama). | |
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| EL 135 Seeing & Believing | 3 |
| This class for honors freshmen only will explore how five different religious groups in Spokane exhibit their beliefs in sacred spaces and sacred arts. Using scholarly articles, literature from each belief system, field visits, and outside speakers, students will analyze icons, Islamic calligraphy, the Zen garden, Hindu images of the divine, and the architecture of Judaism. The course goal is to have the students synthesize important ideas about religious practices in the United States, gaining an increased understanding of history, religious beliefs, literature, and visual cultures. Meets either humanities or American diversity requirements; field visit fee required. Also listed as HI 135. | |
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| EL 136 Asian American Literature | 3 |
| A survey of major poetry, short stories and novels by Asian American writers. | |
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| EL 191 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| EL 196 Topics in English | 1-4 |
| Selected lower-division topics in writing, film or literature. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 204 Film Noir Hardboiled Lit | 3 |
| An introduction to major hardboiled fiction authors (Hammett, Chandler, Cain, Highsmith) and classic films noir ("The Maltese Falcon" "Double Indemnity"). We will analyze these genres in their historical and ideological contexts, examining post-war paranoia, existentialism, literary modernism, etc. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 205 American Literature Before 1865 | 3 |
| Overview of the major periods, authors and representative works of American literature from the Puritans to 1865. Preparation for upper division. Prerequisite: American Cultural Diversity course strongly suggested. Fall semester. | |
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| EL 206 American Literature After 1865 | 3 |
| Overview of major periods, authors and representative works of American literature from the end of the Civil War to the present. Preparation for upper division. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly suggested. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 207 British Literature Before 1800 | 3 |
| British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the Renaissance and 18th century. Major period characteristics, authors and representative works. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly suggested. Fall semester. | |
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| EL 208 British Literature Since 1800 | 3 |
| British literature from the Romantic period through the 20th century. Major period characteristics, authors and representative works. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly suggested. EL 208 may be taken before EL 207. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 210 Writing II | 3 |
| Advanced study and production of critical writing and research. Emphasis on interpretation and production of argumentative writing for academic and public communities. Students will explore their role as active citizens, enabling them to use writing to advocate for and enact change in their communities. Prerequisite: EL 110 or advanced placement. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| EL 212 Religious Themes in Modern Literature | 3 |
| Fiction (mostly novels) from a variety of modern fiction writers. Class explores 20th / 21st Century treatments of religious themes; class is not a course in Christian Literature. | |
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| EL 216 Modern Drama | 3 |
| A survey of modern drama including the major movements, playwrights and representative plays from 1900 to the present. | |
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| EL 220 Pilgrimage: Walking & Writing | 3 |
| This course explores pilgrimage from a variety of eras, perspectives, and genres. Through reading, writing, multimedia, and research assignments, students consider a range of pilgrimage experiences, as well as contemporary uses and adaptations. Students will create their own pilgrimage, documenting and reflecting on their practice. | |
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| EL 233 The Epic | 3 |
| A reading of "The Iliad", "The Odyssey", "The Aeneid" and "The Divine Comedy". Characteristics of the epic in classical and medieval eras. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 236 Female Friendship in Film and Literature | 3 |
| This course investigates and celebrates friendship in the different stages of women's lives. Through a study of literature, film and other media, students examine friendship from a variety of cultural perspectives, historical eras, and theoretical methods. Reflects on Biblical models of friendship and engages the perspectives of Christian feminist theory for analysis. Also listed as WGS 236. Periodic offering, Jan Term. | |
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| EL 238 Arthurian Literature | 3 |
| Traces the development of the Arthurian legend from its earliest appearance in chronicles through narrative romance, focusing on medieval texts. | |
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| EL 242 Crime and Punishment: Study of Whodunit | 3 |
| The mystery novel and story from Sherlock Holmes to Stephanie Plum, with attention to the genre's archetypes, conventions, mythic systems, and moral vision. Non-majors welcome. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| EL 245 Creative Writing | 3 |
| An introduction to creative writing, including multiple genres. Workshop approach. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly recommended. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| EL 247 Shakespeare | 3 |
| Survey of Shakespeare's poetry, comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. Active learning through reading, discussing, studying, watching and performing plays. Fall semester. | |
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| EL 250 American Film | 3 |
| Introduction to basic cinema terms, history of the U.S. film industry. Discussion of values in cinema. Weekly evening screenings. Film fee. | |
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| EL 251 Modern Global Literature | 3 |
| Short fiction and novels of European and Third World authors after 1945. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 252 World Cinema | 3 |
| Major movements and filmmakers from Europe, Asia and other regions (e.g., German Expressionism, French New Wave, Bergman, Kurosawa, Latin American film, Eastern European film). Periodic offering. Film fee. Also listed as EL 352. | |
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| EL 261 C.S. Lewis | 3 |
| The thoughts of C.S. Lewis as found in his philosophical, theological and imaginative works and in the interconnections among those works. Critical evaluation of Lewis's ideas and application of those ideas to contemporary issues. Also listed as PH 261. | |
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| EL 267 Introduction to Critical Strategies | 3 |
| Introduction to the strategies and terminology of literary criticism and the discipline of literary studies. Emphasis on the theoretical, historical, and practical applications of both traditional and contemporary literary criticism. | |
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| EL 273 Poe | 3 |
| Study of the poetry, fiction and essays of Edgar Allan Poe. Approximately forty short stories and sketches, his sole novel, several poems, three major essays, and selections from Eureka. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly suggested. Also listed as EL 373. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| EL 279 J.R.R. Tolkien | 3 |
| Introduction to the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Readings of his major literary works as well as folklore and medieval literature that influenced him and shaped his life as a scholar. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 280 Field Studies | 1-4 |
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| EL 290 Internship | 1-4 |
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| EL 291 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| EL 300 Domain of the Arts | 3 |
| Exploration of drama, poetry, music, art, film. The arts in relation to society, values, faith. Taught in San Francisco. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 301 Children's Literature | 3 |
| Reading and evaluation of a broad range of literature for children. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 302 Gender and Faith in Film and Literature | 3 |
| Exploration of how religious beliefs shape our cultural and personal understanding of gender roles and gender identity. | |
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| EL 304 Fiction Writing | 3 |
| Advanced-level workshop in the crafting of narrative and the marketing of fiction. Students read two novels and several published short stories as well as the work of their colleagues. Serious and Stern. Prerequisite: EL 245, or permission of instructor. | |
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| EL 305W Contemporary American Poetry | 3 |
| Study of American poets, periods and major events, 1955 to the present. Includes central figures such as Adrienne Rich, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell, and contemporary poets such as Louise Gluck, Mary Oliver, Li-Young Lee, Naomi Shihab Nye, and others. Prerequisite: EL 205 or EL 206. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 307W Women in American Fiction | 3 |
| Portrayals of women in American fiction and popular literature. Female and male authors, primarily 19th century. Fall semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 308W 18th Century British Literature | 3 |
| Study of major 18th-century British authors, genres, social history. Particular emphasis on fiction, Restoration comedy, satire. | |
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| EL 310 Northwest Writers | 3 |
| Readings from a diverse group of Northwestern poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, with consideration of central themes and concerns shared among them. Explores the relationship between these writers and their region. | |
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| EL 314 Church Drama | 3 |
| This course involves study of classic and contemporary drama used in Christian worship. Students will engage in biblical text study, critical writing, playwriting, and performance of original theatre on campus and in area churches. | |
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| EL 316 American Drama Since 1900 | 3 |
| Examines a variety of American plays written and produced since 1900, with particular attention to how direction, staging, and performance factors affect the critical reading of dramatic texts. | |
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| EL 317 Whitman/Dickinson Seminar | 3 |
| Seminar focuses on the relation between the poetic forms and voices of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Fall semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 320 Pilgrimage: Walking and Writing | 3 |
| This course explores pilgrimage from a variety of eras, perspectives, and genres. Through reading, writing, multimedia, and research assignments, students consider a range of pilgrimage experiences, as well as contemporary uses and adaptations. Students will create their own pilgrimage, documenting and reflecting on their practice. | |
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| EL 321W The American Novel to 1900 | 3 |
| Development of the novel in the U.S. from 1794 to the dawn of the 20h century. 10 - 12 novels, including writers such as Brown, Cooper, Hawthorne, Melville, Twain, James, Howels, Crane, Chopin. Prerequisite: EL 205 or EL 206. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 329 Visual Narrative | 3 |
| Exploration of graphic novels, comics, and transmedia storytelling. Readings will include both exemplary visual narratives and relevant critical theory on such texts. | |
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| EL 330 Latina and Caribbean Women Writers | 3 |
| Study of contemporary novels, stories, poems, and films produced by Latina and Caribbean American women in light of historical, theoretical, and cultural contexts. Emphasis on reading and student response through written and oral assignments produced both individually and collaboratively. Also listed as EL 130, WGS 130/330. Jan Term. | |
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| EL 331W Southern Renaissance | 3 |
| Major 20th-century American writers from the South (e.g., William Faulkner, R.P. Warren, Eudora Welty). Fall semester, even years. | |
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| EL 333 Literary England (Study Abroad Program) | 4 |
| Focus on British authors and works in relation to their settings. Part of British Isles study program, every third year (fall semester 2011, 2014, and so on). | |
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| EL 338 Arthurian Literature | 3 |
| See EL 238. | |
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| EL 339 Digital Storytelling | 3 |
| Explore theory and practice of digital, multimodal writing and storytelling. Students will analyze and create digital stories using freely available tools for capturing, editing, and presenting audio, video, and text. Prerequisites: EL 210, EL 245, JMC 125, or instructor permission. | |
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| EL 342 British Women Writers | 3 |
| Examines the contributions of familiar (e.g., Austen, Bronte, Woolf) and less familiar women writers of Britain. Considers literary history in light of recent revisions of that history. Periodic offering. Women's and gender studies elective; also listed as WGS 342. | |
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| EL 344 Autobiographical Writing | 3 |
| Practical and theoretical approaches to autobiography writing. Readings in literary autobiography. Workshop format. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 345 Poetry Writing | 3 |
| Advanced workshop in poetry composition, revision. Reading of current American poets. By application, portfolio. Prerequisite: EL 245. | |
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| EL 346W Essay Writing | 3 |
| Advanced workshop in writing contemporary essay genres including experimental critical writing and the literary essay. Reading of current literary essays. Prerequisite: written communication course and one other writing course strongly suggested. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 347W Creative Nonfiction Writing | 3 |
| Advanced workshop in memory-based or fact-based writing that is literary, employing stylistic devices of fiction and lyrical narrative poetry. Prerequisite: written communication course strongly recommended. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| EL 348 Literary Editing & Design | 3 |
| Class will focus on various editorial and design elements useful to students in the English major who are looking for ways to enter the profession other than via teaching. Prerequisites: none. Class level: sophomore or higher (or declared English major). Offered Spring 2010. | |
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| EL 349W 20th Century American Fiction | 3 |
| Significant American novelists from the World War I era to the contemporary era. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly recommended. Fall semester, even years. | |
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| EL 351 Documentary/Avant Garde Film | 3 |
| Documentary & Avant Garde Film will focus mostly on the genre of documentary filmmaking since its beginnings in the 1920s. We will view the work of several early documentary filmmakers, notably Robert Flaherty, John Grierson and Leni Riefenstahl, then concentrate on films and directors of the 1980s and after. A secondary emphasis will be placed on the development of experimental, underground, personal or other forms of avant garde filmmaking, with emphasis on American artists like Maya Deren and Stan Brakhage. Typically several AG short films will be projected each class session. Later in the semester we will look at the interactions between the two film traditions. Each Sunday evening has been set aside for film viewing, while Tuesday evening classes will be devoted to lecture, discussion, and reports. | |
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| EL 352 World Cinema | 3 |
| Major movements and filmmakers from Europe, Asia and other regions (e.g., German Expressionism, French New Wave, Bergman, Kurosawa, Latin American film, Eastern European film). Film fee. Periodic offering. Also listed as EL 252. | |
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| EL 358 Composition Theory | 3 |
| In this course students will read and discuss landmark essays and studies about composing processes and theories. Attention will be given to intellectual foundations of composition studies and current practice in the teaching of writing. | |
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| EL 359 Contemporary Fiction From Eastern Europe | 3 |
| Study of about a dozen novels published recently (since 1985 in most cases) in Poland, the Czech Republic, Albania, Russia, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Croatia, Bulgaria, and other countries in the region. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly suggested. | |
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| EL 360W 20th Century British Literature | 3 |
| The fiction of the British Isles from 1900 to the present. | |
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| EL 361 20th Century British Poetry | 3 |
| Survey of modern and contemporary British poets (Yeats and Auden and later poets). Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 363 Seminar in Poetry of Witness | 3 |
| Seminar explores WWII and post-WWII European and Eastern European poets, along with more recent poets from Israel and Palestine. Focus on the transcendent, truth-telling role of poetry and art that bears witness to unthinkable cultural destruction. | |
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| EL 368 Postcolonial British Literature | 3 |
| An examination of key texts and debates in postcolonial British writing. Representative areas and writers may include India (Kipling, Forster, Rushdie, Roy), the African Continent (Conrad, Achebe, Coetzee, Gordimer), Ireland (Joyce, Yeats, Bowen), and theory by Said, Spivak, and Bhabha. Prerequisite: American Cultural Studies course strongly recommended. Fall semester, even years. | |
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| EL 371W British Renaissance | 3 |
| English literature of the 16th and 17th centuries (e.g., Spenser, Sidney, Marlowe, Donne, Herbert). | |
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| EL 372W American Renaissance | 3 |
| Major figures of the extraordinarily rich blossoming of American literature, 1835-1860 (e.g., Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, Whitman, and less lights). | |
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| EL 373 Poe | 3 |
| See EL 273. | |
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| EL 374W 17th Century British Poetry/Milton Milton | 3 |
| English lyrics of the 17th century: metaphysical and cavalier (e.g., Donne, Herbert, Jonson, Marvell) plus Milton, with emphasis on "Paradise Lost". Prerequisite: EL 207. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 375W Victorian Literature | 3 |
| Seminar focusing on literary figures and genres of 19th- century Britain, including fiction, prose, poetry, autobiography and drama. Explores Victorian visual media and other popular print culture. Fall semester, even years. | |
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| EL 376W British Romanticism | 3 |
| Romantic literature in an age of revolution (e.g., Wollstonecraft, Blake, Wordsworth, Austen, Keats). Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 377W Modern Poetry | 3 |
| The revolution of Modernism in American poetry, 1910-1940 (e.g., Eliot, Pound, Williams, Stevens). Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 378 Jane Austen | 3 |
| A seminar on Jane Austen's major works. Some literary background strongly suggested. Also listed as WGS 378. Jan Term. | |
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| EL 382 Rhetorical Methods and Approaches | 3 |
| This course concerns the rationale, methods and applications of rhetorical criticism in English studies. Includes a survey of contemporary critical approaches to persuasive writing. Prerequisite: completion of written communication requirement and one other writing course recommended. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 387 English Methods and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| English methods, including theory and practice of teaching the writing process. Reading adolescent literature. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 388 Structure and Development of the English Language | 3 |
| Review of traditional grammar, exposure to various new grammars, development of usage. Designed for prospective teachers. Prerequisite: junior standing. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| EL 390 Internship | 1-4 |
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| EL 391 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| EL 395 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
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| EL 396 Topics in English | 1-3 |
| Selected upper-division topics in writing, film or literature. Periodic offerings. | |
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| EL 401W Moby Dick | 3 |
| A close study of Herman Melville's leviathanic novel. Students will read "Moby Dick" twice in three weeks, become absolute masters of two chapters, and never be the same. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| EL 404 Anglo Saxon Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Study of Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose in historical and cultural contexts, including a brief introduction of Old English grammar and translation. Also listed as HI 404. | |
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| EL 405W Chaucer and Medieval Literature | 3 |
| Study of Chaucer with emphasis on Canterbury Tales (in Middle English). Other medieval works (e.g., Langland, Romances). Prerequisite: EL 207. Spring semesters, even years. | |
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| EL 420 Writing Center: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Initial training for Whitworth Writing Center consultants. Includes writing center theory and philosophy along with development of analytical insight into papers and interpersonal skills necessary for consulting. Prerequisite: faculty nomination and then completion of application and selection process. Fall semester. | |
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| EL 430 Holocaust Literature | 3 |
| Study of works by Elie Wiesel and other writers of the Holocaust. Prerequisite: two literature courses strongly suggested. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 436 Francophone African Lit/Film | 3 |
| Introduction to literature and film from French-speaking African countries after independence, including historical and cultural background. Also listed as FR 436. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 442 Brontes and Gaskell Seminar | 3 |
| Studies the creative works of the Bronte sisters and Elizabeth Gaskell within the context of 19th-century Britain. | |
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| EL 444 Advanced Writing Workshop | 3 |
| Workshop/seminar for serious, self-motivated students who have completed EL 245, EL 304 and EL 345. Introduction to the major contemporary literary journals, on-line publications, writer's markets, and contemproary theory. Much of course devoted to developing a single substantial writing project. | |
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| EL 447 Shakespeare Seminar | 3 |
| Special topics course on Shakespeare's dramatic and non-dramatic literature. Topics vary but will focus upon particular genres, historical contexts, and ideas in a limited number of plays. Spring semester, even years. | |
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| EL 449W Postmodern Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Readings in postmodern literature and theory, with attention to the break from aesthetic Modernism and to cultural dilemmas commonly informing postmodern texts. Prerequisite: EL 205, EL 206, EL 207, EL 208, or instructor permission; American cultural studies course strongly recommended. | |
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| EL 453 Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| A general study of language content and systems, with primary focus on sounds, meaning, historical change, and social contexts. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 454 Russian Literature | 3 |
| Russian fiction of the 19th century (e.g., Turgenev, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy). Non-majors welcome. Periodic offering. | |
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| EL 460 Irish Literature | 3 |
| Fiction, drama, poetry, and film by Irish artists (e.g., Joyce, Yeats, Bowen, Beckett) along with study of political and cultural contexts. Fall semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 465W English Novel | 3 |
| The rise of the novel from 1720 through 1895 (e.g., Defoe, Fielding, Austen, Gaskell, Hardy). | |
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| EL 480 Field Studies | 1-4 |
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| EL 484 Literary Criticism | 3 |
| Learning to write from various critical perspectives. Major literary theories from Aristotle to the 21st Century. Perquisites: two literature courses and junior standing strongly suggested. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| EL 486 Readings | 1-4 |
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| EL 490 Internship | 1-4 |
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| EL 491 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| EL 495 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
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| EL 497 Medieval and Early Modern Studies Senior Portfolio | 1 |
| Students will submit a portfolio by April 15 of their final year (or midway through their final term). The portfolio will include a selection of work from 3 to 4 courses in the minor. Also listed as HI 497. Spring semester. | |
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| EL 498 Senior Portfolio | 1 |
| Capstone colloquium for English majors, including revision and submission of their best work in portfolio form. Fall semester. | |
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Humanities Courses
| HU 191 Independent Study | 1-3 |
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| HU 196 Selected Topics | 1-3 |
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| HU 200 Introduction to Culture British Isles Abroad | 1 |
| This course will provide a survey of the art, history, and literature of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Required for and exclusive to students participating in the British Isles Study Program. Jan Term, every third year - or spring semester preceding the program (2011). | |
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| HU 201 International Films | 1 |
| Professors from different disciplines present seven international films; students view films together and react to them through short papers. Learn about international cinematic traditions and film history. Fall semester. | |
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| HU 202 Classic Films | 1 |
| Professors from different disciplines present seven classic films; students view films together and react to them through short papers. Learn about cinematic traditions and American film history. Spring semester. | |
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| HU 291 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| HU 302 French Civilization - Abroad Program Preparation | 2 |
| A survey of French history from the Gauls and Romans through the 19th century, with emphasis on contemporary French culture. Required for and exclusive to students participating in the France Study Program. Fall semester, every third year preceding the program. | |
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| HU 349 Introduction to Thailand Studies | 2 |
| Preparation for Jan Term in Thailand. | |
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| HU 350 Thailand Study Program | 3 |
| See WS 350. | |
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| HU 391 Independent Study | 1-3 |
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| HU 395 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
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| HU 396 Selected Topics | 1-3 |
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| HU 491 Independent Study | 1-4 |
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| HU 495 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
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