Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Spring 2024
Undergraduate
Close analysis of literary texts, including but not limited to poetry, fiction, and drama. Emphasizes reading and writing exercises to develop basic interpretive skills. Examines figurative language, central ideas, relationship between structure and meaning, narrative point of view. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
18 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Studies literary texts within the framework of culture. Examines texts within such categories as history, gender, sexuality, religion, race, class, and nation. Notes: Builds on reading and writing skills taught in ENGH 101. May be repeated within the term.
Read More »
14 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Studies literature by topics, such as women in literature, science fiction, and literature of the avant garde. Notes: Topic varies. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces the works of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Studies a broad range of Shakespeare’s writings, including at least one comedy, one tragedy, and one history. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
English poetry and prose from 1603 to 1688, excluding Milton. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
American drama of 20th century, with special attention to playwrights such as Glaspell, O'Neill, Miller, Williams, Fornes, and Albee. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Emphasizes several major writers from Reconstruction to beginning of 20th century, concluding with W.E.B. DuBois's The Souls of Black Folk . Concentrating on evolution of African American fiction and poetry as well as political and social discourses on "race," explores how authors such as Frances E.W. Harper, Charles Chesnutt, Pauline Hopkins, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Anna Julia Cooper, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Booker T. Washington, and DuBois shaped the foundation for 20th-century African American literary art and aesthetics. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Encompassing array of genres and forms, examines black writing from mid-20th century to present. Engages textual, critical, political, and theoretical issues related to cardinal literary movements, such as Black Arts Movement of 1960s and Third Renaissance of 1980s-90s. Examines how musical forms such as blues, jazz, and rap shaped literary production. Major authors include Ralph Ellison, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, Alice Walker, Ernest Gaines, Gloria Naylor, August Wilson, and Toni Morrison. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Studies particular ethnic American literatures. Focuses on literatures such as Asian American, Native American, Latino/a, Arab American, or Jewish American. Notes: May be repeated when topic (expressed by course subtitle and content) is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
American short story writers and novelists from World War II to present, including Mailer, Barth, Cheever, Oates, Gass, Beattie, Updike, and Morrison. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Major American poets from World War II to present, emphasizing Roethke, Brooks, Rich, Dickey, Lowell, Ammons, Kizer, Sexton, Clifton, Plath, and Piercy. Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Studies two cultures other than contemporary British or American culture through exploration of several textual forms such as written literature, oral literature, film, folklore, or popular culture. Specific cultures vary, but at least one is non- Western. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Read More »
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Major works of Chaucer, with emphasis on The Canterbury Tales . Limited to three attempts.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Study of one or two major figures in British literature. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Study of one or two major figures in American literature. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Special studies in literary nonfiction by topic, such as the personal essay, New Journalism, the "nonfiction novel," the memoir, or historical traditions of literary nonfiction. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topic-based course in research methods. Students conduct advanced research in literary studies using traditional and digital research tools and approaches. Notes: May be repeated when the topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
Intensive study of topics involving literary or other texts such as film, television, opera, and folklore. Notes: May be repeated with permission of department. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Read More »
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Introduction to selected critical theories pertinent to textual analysis. May not be repeated for credit.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Methods of teaching literature. Includes study of methods of literary analysis, and ways of developing student responses to literature, with some classroom practice. Notes: Does not satisfy Virginia certification requirement in diagnostic or developmental reading. May not be repeated for credit.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Intensive study of a selected period, movement, or genre in American literature. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 24 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Presents historically based introduction to major debates within feminist theory and criticism. Stressing gender in literature and its interpretation, explores diverse collection of feminist interpretive practices. May not be repeated for credit.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Advanced introduction to theoretical practice known as cultural studies, with attention to role in textual studies. Part of interdisciplinary cultural studies PhD and MA in English programs. May not be repeated for credit.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Content varies. Notes: May be repeated with permission of department. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
