Department of English

Tara MacDonald, Acting Department Chair (200 Carol Ryrie Brink Hall 83844-1102; phone 208-885-6156; englishdept@uidaho.edu).

English majors develop skills in the fundamentals of English composition, creative writing, textual interpretation, and critical thinking. Students apply these skills across diverse areas of study, including linguistics and literacy, technical and business writing, literary criticism and theory, Anglophone and world literatures, film and cultural studies, expository and creative writing, and pedagogy. Students write extensively in all courses and gain speaking experience through oral reports, presentations, and class discussions. International students must have a TOEFL score of 560 or above.

The Department of English encourages students to plan their curricula according to personal and career goals. Aspiring writers emphasize creative writing courses; future teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) study linguistics; pre-professionals take advanced writing and career-related courses. Those heading for graduate school in literature, linguistics, or ESL choose courses that prepare them for graduate study in their area. English majors who intend to teach English in secondary schools plan their program to satisfy state certification requirements (see "Secondary School Teaching Certification for Majors Outside the College of Education" in the College of Education section).

To enable students to focus on such interests within a coherent program of study, the English Department offers the choice of five emphases within the major: creative writing, linguistics and literacy, literature, professional writing, and teaching.

The Department of English offers two graduate degrees at the master's level: the M.F.A. and the M.A. Through course selection and choice of thesis topic, and with the approval of appropriate faculty members, students pursuing the M.A. may emphasize literary studies or studies in composition/rhetoric. Through course selection and choice of thesis topic, and with the approval of appropriate faculty members, those pursuing the M.F.A. may emphasize fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The M.F.A. also offers students the tools to work and teach as literary writers. Students planning to work for the M.F.A. or M.A. should be well prepared through the curriculum outlined below.

The graduate programs in English allow students to develop specialized skills in creative writing; scholarly research and critical writing in the field of literature; and linguistics. All areas of specialization prepare students to write publishable manuscripts, ranging from articles for peer-reviewed scholarly journals to full-length books for trade publishing houses. The graduate programs in English serve those who plan to teach English at the college level, secondary educators pursuing teaching certificates or credentials, writers and editors interested in editorial or publishing work, and those seeking employment in the private sector. All graduate degrees offered in English prepare students to pursue doctoral degrees in their respective fields.

For admission to the graduate program in English, the student must have a bachelor's degree with a major in English or equivalent preparation and should have an overall grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) to be granted full admission. Non-native speakers of English must score at least 560 on the TOEFL exam.

English

ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (3 credits)

General Education: Written Communication

Workshop on strategies for generating ideas for writing, for planning and organizing material, and for revising and editing; intended to prepare students for the demands of college writing, focusing on reading critically and incorporating source material. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: Appropriate placement

ENGL 101P Writing and Rhetoric I Plus (4 credits)

General Education: Written Communication

English 101 paired with a studio (lab) component. Workshop on strategies for generating ideas for writing, for planning and organizing material, and for revising and editing; intended to prepare students for the demands of college writing, focusing on reading critically and incorporating source material. This class additionally offers student-centered small-group tutorial sessions connected to the English 101 curriculum, supplemented by individualized support in the Writing Center. Typically Offered: Varies.

ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II (3 credits)

General Education: Written Communication

Applied principles of expository and argumentative essay writing, including summaries, critiques, and syntheses of texts, and the research essay; emphasis on clear, concise, and vigorous prose. Graded A/B/C/N (repeat)/F.

Prereqs: ENGL 101 or 101P or Equivalent

ENGL 109 Writing Studio (1 credit)

Student-centered small-group tutorial sessions connected to the English 101 curriculum, supplemented by individualized support in the Writing Center. Graded Pass/Fail.

Coreqs: ENGL 101

ENGL 175 Literature and Ideas (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Introduction to the terminology, techniques, and formal characteristics of literary genres. Intended to provide general students and the beginning English major with basic experience in literary analysis.

ENGL 201 English Grammar: Key Concepts and Terms (1 credit)

1 credit Study of grammar and grammatical concepts; terms and concepts drawn from traditional and transformational grammar; includes practice in sentence diagramming with connections drawn to other grammatical systems. Not an ESL course and not remedial. Typically Offered: Fall.

ENGL 202 Technical Writing I (3 credits)

Introduction to the theory and practice of technical writing and its functions in workplace settings. In this rhetorically-based course, students will study and apply conventions to meet the needs of technical writing situations and begin to establish a professional identity by creating and learning how to maintain an electronic portfolio. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or equivalent.

ENGL 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)

Credit arranged

ENGL 207 (s) Persuasive Writing (3 credits)

Intermediate course in the practices of writing to persuade with special emphasis on current issues and audience awareness; includes research-based writing.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent

ENGL 208 (s) Personal & Exploratory Writing (3 credits)

Intermediate course in the practices of personal and exploratory writing; may include personal narrative and observation, autobiography, or extended reflection; special attention to prose style and voice; includes research-based writing.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent

ENGL 215 Introduction to English Studies (3 credits)

The gateway course for all English majors, focusing on goals of and opportunities opened by the various branches of English studies, the practice of close reading, critical terminology and issues central to English studies, and basic research and writing practices necessary for literary study.

Prereqs or Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 231 Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits)

Cross-listed with JAMM 231

Introduction to the elements of screenwriting; students explore narrative techniques through the study of the short film form, using genre, developing characters, and advancing a story by effectively using cinematic language. Recommended Preparation: FTV 100.

ENGL 241 Introduction to the Study of Language (3 credits)

Cross-listed with ANTH 241, EDCI 241

Surveys of sound patterns, morphological processes and syntactic structures; questions of language acquisition, variation, and history; exercises from a variety of languages, with emphasis on American English. Typically Offered: Spring.

ENGL 257 Survey of Western World Literature I (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Major texts reflecting development of Western thought and culture, Classical Greece to the Renaissance. Prereqs or

Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 258 Survey of Western World Literature II (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Gen Ed: Humanities 17th century to the present. Prereqs or

Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 267 Survey of British Literature I (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Medieval, Renaissance, 17th Century, Restoration, and 18th Century Literature. Prereqs or

Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 268 Survey of British Literature II (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary literature. Prereqs or

Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 277 Survey of American Literature I (3 credits)

General Education: American Diversity, Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Indigenous beginnings to the American Civil War. Prereqs or

Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 278 Survey of American Literature II (3 credits)

Gen Ed: Humanities Post-Civil War to contemporary writers.

Prereqs or Coreqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 281 Introduction to Women's Literature (3 credits)

Introduction to significant texts by women writers, with an emphasis on major social and political changes. Focus on the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and/or class.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 290 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Introduction to Creative Writing gives students practice closely reading and writing their own short samples of three genres of creative writing: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Emphasis is on the craft of writing these genres, explored through a range of sample readings and writing exercises, in both a lecture class and weekly small-group sessions. This class prepares students for any intermediate-level creative writing course.

ENGL 298 Fugue Internship (1 credit, max 3)

An editorial internship in the evaluation and acquisition of submissions to Fugue, a national literary magazine, and a hands-on introduction to the copyediting, design, and production of a magazine and to the context of contemporary literary magazine culture. Students who have read for Fugue for at least one year may enroll in ENGL 498, the advanced internship. Graded P/F.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)

Credit arranged

ENGL 309 Rhetorical Style (3 credits)

Analyze how style varies according to rhetorical genre and purpose; practice composing in multiple genres and styles.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and Sophomore Standing

ENGL 310 Critical Theory (3 credits)

Current trends and issues in critical theory, with practice in the application of theory to a range of texts.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and Junior standing or Instructor Permission

ENGL 313 Business Writing (3 credits)

Principles and practice of effective business communication. Projects teach conventions of tone and style appropriate to the specific discourse situation in a variety of formats, including oral, written, visual, and multimedia genres.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent; Sophomore standing

ENGL 316 Environmental Writing (3 credits)

Principles and practice in writing related to communicating information about scientific issues, environmental justice, and sustainability goals to public audiences. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent; Sophomore standing

ENGL 317 Technical Writing II (3 credits)

Further study of principles and practice of effective technical communication. Projects teach conventions of tone and style appropriate to the specific discourse situation in a variety of formats, including oral, written, visual, and multimedia genres. Recommended Preparation: ENGL 202. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent; Sophomore standing.

ENGL 318 Science Writing (3 credits)

Cross-listed with JAMM 328

Principles and practices of making scientific concepts and work accessible to general audiences through multiple forms of media; also examines the ways in which media coverage of scientific issues shapes public opinion and policy.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and Sophomore Standing

ENGL 320 Grant and Proposal Writing (3 credits)

Students will study grant writing concepts and techniques and gain practice in applying these to obtain funding for travel, research projects, and more. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102; Sophomore standing

ENGL 322 Climate Change Fiction (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Study of climate change fiction (cli-fi) as an emerging genre. Focus may include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, film, and art; speculative and apocalyptic futures; and the narrative elements of scientific scenario modeling aligned with sustainability goals. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 329 (s) (s) Literature and Film (3 credits, max 6)

Study of the relationship between literature and film with emphasis on time period, theme, culture, or genre. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 345 Shakespeare (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Study of selected texts representative of Shakespeare's work. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 Prereqs or

Coreqs: One 200-level ENGL class

ENGL 365 Gothic Literature (3 credits)

Major themes and traditions in Gothic texts. Concentrations will vary by semester and may examine historical and contemporary trends. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

Prereqs or Coreqs: One 200-level ENGL class

ENGL 366 (s) (s) Utopian and Dystopian Literature (3 credits, max 6)

Major themes and traditions in utopian and dystopian texts. Concentrations will vary by semester and may examine historical and contemporary trends. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 Prereqs or

Coreqs: One 200-level ENGL class

ENGL 380 (s) U.S. Ethnic Literature (3 credits, max 6)

General Education: American Diversity

Significant texts, topics, and writers from U. S. ethnic groups in their literary and historical contexts, including the social and political circumstances out of which they arise. Examines texts that encourage us to ask questions about identity, power, privilege, society, and the role of culture today and in the past. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 382 (s) Queer Literature (3 credits, max 6)

Comparative study of significant LGBTQ+ texts, topics, and writers, with emphasis on understanding the queer experience inherent in landmark works of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 383 (s) (s) African American Literature (3 credits, max 6)

Significant texts by African American writers in the historical, cultural and intellectual context of their creation, with attention to identity, power, inequality and liberation. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 384 (s) Native American and Indigenous Literature (3 credits, max 6)

General Education: American Diversity

Cross-listed with AIST 484

Significant texts, topics and traditions of American Indian, First Nations, and Indigenous writings in their literary and historical contexts, including the social and political circumstances out of which they arise. Emphasis on North America. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 385 (s) (s) World Literature (3 credits, max 6)

Significant texts, topics and traditions of postcolonial cultures and diasporic communities. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 391 Techniques of Poetry (3 credits, max 6)

Emphasis on techniques of writing various forms and styles of poetry; focus on developing individual writing practice through exercises and experimentation, as well as close reading, analysis, and imitation. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and ENGL 290, or Instructor Permission

ENGL 392 Techniques of Fiction (3 credits, max 6)

Emphasis on techniques of writing various forms and styles of fiction; focus on developing individual writing practice through exercises and experimentation, as well as close reading, analysis, and imitation. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and ENGL 290, or Instructor Permission

ENGL 393 Techniques of Nonfiction (3 credits, max 6)

Emphasis on techniques of writing various forms and styles of nonfiction; focus on developing individual writing practice through exercises and experimentation, as well as close reading, analysis, and imitation. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 and ENGL 290, or Instructor Permission

ENGL 400 (s) Seminar in Literature and Theory (3 credits, max 6)

Specialized focus on literature and theory; topics vary per semester. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 215

ENGL 401 Writing Workshop for Teachers (3 credits)

Enrollment limited to juniors or seniors majoring or minoring in English or in secondary or elementary education programs. Develops students' writing abilities in a workshop setting adaptable to K-12 classrooms and includes theory and practice of teaching writing in elementary and secondary schools.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 402 Internship in Tutoring Writing (3 credits)

General Education: American Diversity

Theoretical and practical issues involved in tutoring writing; directed experience tutoring students across the disciplines. Graded P/F. Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent and Permission

ENGL 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)

Credit arranged

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 408 Language Acquisition and Development (3 credits)

This course explores issues in both first and second language acquisition focusing on language structure, use and development by monolingual and bilingual children.

Prereqs: ENGL 241

ENGL 410 Studies in Linguistics (3 credits, max 12)

Joint-listed with ENGL 510

Topics such as applied linguistics, educational linguistics, language and technology, discourse analysis, or language and intercultural communication. Additional work required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.

ENGL 417 Technical Writing III (3 credits)

This course at the advanced level will build on the skills that students have acquired in previous technical writing courses. Students will study and apply advanced concepts of document organization and design, the processes of information exchange, and document specifications. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 317

ENGL 418 Visual Perception, Culture, and Rhetoric (3 credits)

This course offers students applied practice in the skills needed to conceive, produce, interpret, and write about visual texts, texts in which images, film, and/or video play a major role in audiences’ responses. In addition to teaching hands-on techniques of graphic production, the course draws on the disciplines of analytical design, cultural criticism, digital design, graphic narrative theory, creative writing, and technical writing. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102 or Equivalent; Sophomore standing

ENGL 419 Writing for the Web (3 credits)

Written and multimodal composition in various digital media, potentially including but not limited to blogs, microblogs, and websites.

Prereqs: At least one of the following courses: ENGL 202, ENGL 207, ENGL 208, ENGL 309, ENGL 313, ENGL 316, ENGL 317, ENGL 318, or ENGL 440. Courses in JAMM or COMM may also be accepted as prereqs or coreqs with instructor approval.

ENGL 440 Professional Writing Portfolio (3 credits)

General Education: Senior Experience

Capstone course with specialized focus in professional writing for both print and digital culture. Students will collaborate with an external partner to produce a portfolio that showcases their skills in meeting client needs. Typically Offered: Varies.

Prereqs: ENGL 102; and Senior standing or 24 credits of English courses

ENGL 444 Sociolinguistics (3 credits)

Joint-listed with ENGL 544

Introduces the study of the relationship among language, society and culture. Specific topics include (1) native and nonnative variation of English, (2) language attitudes and ideology, (3) multilingualism, and (4) social class and gender. Provides practice in the methods for collecting and analyzing sociolinguistic data. Examines educational and political implications. Additional projects required for graduate credit. (Spring, alt/years)

Prereqs: ENGL 241 or Permission

ENGL 445 Young Adult Literature (3 credits)

Major trends and traditions in Young Adult (YA) Literature. Course concentration will vary by semester and may focus on the research, theory, and practice of literature study in secondary schools and sociohistorical, sociocultural, and literary contexts.

Prereqs: ENGL 102

ENGL 447 Screenwriting (3 credits)

Cross-listed with JAMM 447, THE 447

Joint-listed with ENGL 547, THE 547

Introduction to the study of the fundamental elements of feature film screenwriting; techniques of developing story lines and advancing a narrative in a visual way using the industry standard of a tightly structured long-form feature film. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereqs: ENGL 231 or JAMM 231 or permission

ENGL 461 (s) Modern and Contemporary Poetry (3 credits, max 6)

Studies in 20th and/or 21st-century poetry. Concentrations will vary by semester and may include the study of particular aesthetic movements, international works in English translation, and historically significant texts. Typically Offered: Varies.