English Courses
(GP) indicates that the course satisfies the Global Perspective Elective requirement in the General Education core.
ENG 2240 CREATIVE WRITING (3)
This course is an examination of a particular genre of creative writing (fiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting, etc.). Students will hone their craft in a workshop setting, including understanding genre conventions, exploring sources on writing, critiquing and being critiqued, and deepening understanding of themselves as writers.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040 or instructor permission
Offered: fall
ENG 2410 DEATH AND DYING IN LITERATURE (3)
Mortality is the common condition of all humanity. How humans cope with death and dying—both their own and other people’s—is as diverse as humanity itself. This course explores death, dying, and the responses to it across multiple time periods, languages, and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction, and film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2420 LOVE IN LITERATURE (3)
Love is a common condition of humanity across time and culture. How we love; who we love; what love is; are questions that concern all people. This course explores love in its many forms: romantic, familial, companionate, etc. across multiple time periods, languages and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction, and/or film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2430 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN LITERATURE (3)
The natural environment has been a constant source of inspiration for humans since before written language first developed. From prehistoric cave paintings to ancient epic poetry, to current “green” initiatives and ecocriticism, the effects of the natural environment on humans and the effects of humans on the natural environment all have wide-ranging implications. This course explores the natural environment in terms of those effects, across multiple time periods, languages and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction, and/or film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2440 LEGAL STUDIES IN LITERATURE (3)
Lawyers, judges, clerks, politicians, criminals, prison workers, and the settings in which they work and live will provide the subject matter for this course. Legal documents, materials, and precedents will be explored, as this course explores the legal in works across multiple time periods, languages and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction, and/or film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2450 SCIENCE IN LITERATURE (3)
Disease, medicine, and health workers (including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, etc.) have provided the subject matter and characters in a broad range of texts, this course explores the health sciences in works across multiple time periods, languages, and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction and/or film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2460 WORK AND THE WORKPLACE IN LITERATURE (3)
Whether it be in the office, in the factory, at home, or on the farm, work is an important part the human experience. This course explores literary perspectives on work across multiple time periods, languages and/or cultures. A variety of texts, including poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, essays, non-fiction, and/or film and television may be included.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall or spring
ENG 2850 SPECIAL STUDIES IN ENGLISH (3)
To be determined. In-depth study involving research or research/travel and writing.
Prerequisite: permission of the division head
Offered: as needed
ENG 2950 STUDY ABROAD (1-3) (GP) The academic side of a Study Abroad trip, the course includes readings and written assignment in support of the academic goals of the trip and in line with the academic goals of the English department. Credit hours available at the discretion of the instructor.
Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor.
ENG 3020 MODERNIST LITERATURE (3) (GP)
formerly ENG 4020
British and American fiction, drama, and/or poetry from the early twentieth century, emphasizing principal trends and representative works.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (even years)
ENG 3030 CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE (3) (GP)
formerly ENG 4030
Fiction, drama, and/or poetry written since World War II, emphasizing principal trends and representative works.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (odd years)
ENG 3220 ADVANCED GRAMMAR (3)
The history of the English language; an analysis of the structure of English grammar: sounds, parts of speech, sentence patterns, prose style, and the new grammars.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (even years)
ENG 3240 ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING (3)
This course is an advanced study of a particular genre of creative writing (fiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting, etc.). Students will focus on the completion of a major project with an eye toward submission for publication. In a workshop setting, students will critique and be critiqued with an emphasis on developmental revision.
Prerequisites: ENG 2240 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
ENG 3310 GOTHIC LITERATURE & FILM (3)
This course will focus on classic eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Gothic texts, as well as classic and contemporary film adaptations of those texts, and works of Gothic architecture and art. Furthermore, this course will explore the concept of the Gothic from its origins through the twentieth century and beyond, including its influence on various forms of popular culture.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (odd years)
ENG 3420 WOMEN’S LITERATURE (3) (GP)
Concentrated study of literature written by women. The course emphasizes the historical context of women’s poetry, prose, and fiction; introduces students to major figures in women’s literary history; identifies recurrent themes in writings by women; and introduces students to feminist literary theory.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Cross-listed with WST 3420
Offered: fall (odd years)
ENG 3500 AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE (3)
The study of literature by or about African Americans. This course may focus on specific themes, periods, or authors within the field.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (even years)
ENG 3520 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN LITERATURE (3) (GP)
This course will present a comparative study of literature from all over the world, including a variety of genres and time periods and drawing on non-Western as well as Western texts.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (odd years)
ENG 3530 THE LITERATURE OF SLAVE NARRATIVES (3)
An exploration of slave narratives and other testimonial literature, including antebellum, postbellum, and neo slave narratives.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (odd years)
ENG 3540 AMERICAN IDENTITY IN LITERATURE (3)
A study of literary texts exploring a variety of answers to the question: “What does it mean to be an American?” Readings will draw on writers from a variety of backgrounds and time periods.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (odd years)
ENG 3550 SPECULATIVE FICTION (3)
A study of a major author, genre, theme, or period in speculative fiction. Speculative fiction includes any genre that deals with non-reality, including but not limited to alternative history, fantasy, science fiction, monsters, horror, ghost stories, magical realism, dystopian, afro-futurism, and eco-fiction.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (even years)
ENG 3560 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LITERATURE (3)
This course will explore the concept of social justice in relation to works of literature, as well as other relevant written, multimedia, and interdisciplinary works. Social justice will be discussed in terms of its social, political, economic, historical, as well as gender and racial contexts across a variety of texts and genres, and may focus on a specific time period, language, or culture.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (even years)
ENG 3710 LITERATURE OF CHAUCER (3) (GP)
The English medieval period with particular emphasis on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and minor poems.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (even years)
ENG 3730 LITERATURE OF MEDIEVAL ENGLAND (3) (GP)
This course will explore the writings of major authors of medieval England, with a focus on the major themes including feudalism, Arthurian legend, romances, the Catholic Church, heresy, mysticism, medieval drama, and/ or love poetry. This will also expose students to the major works outside of those of Chaucer and may discuss connections to be made between the middle ages and our own culture today.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (even years)
ENG 3740 LITERATURE OF SHAKESPEARE (3) (GP)
Representative Shakespearean plays with attention to historical background and cultural setting.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (even years)
ENG 3750 LITERATURE OF JANE AUSTEN (3) (GP)
formerly ENG 4170
This course will explore selected written works authored by Jane Austen, as well as selected adaptations.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (odd years)
ENG 3760 LITERATURE OF CHARLES DICKENS (3) (GP)
formerly ENG 4180
This course will explore selected written works authored by Charles Dickens, as well as selected adaptations.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: spring (even years)
ENG 3850 SPECIAL STUDIES IN ENGLISH (3) (GP)
To be determined. In-depth study involving research or research/travel and writing.
Prerequisite: permission of the Division Head
Offered: as needed
ENG 3920 VICTORIAN LITERATURE: SOCIAL JUSTICE & INDUSTRY IN THE 19TH CENTURY (3) (GP)
A study of major genres, authors, and/or themes of Victorian Britain (circa 1837-1901). More specifically, this course will explore Victorian literature, food, and other aspects of Victorian culture, focused on the themes of social justice and Victorian industry. This course will also explore film adaptations of works of Victorian literature that also address themes related to social justice and Victorian industry.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: fall (even years)
ENG 3950 STUDY ABROAD (1-3) (GP)
The academic side of a Study Abroad trip, the course includes readings and written assignment in support of the academic goals of the trip and in line with the academic goals of the English department. Credit hours are available at the discretion of the instructor.
Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor.
ENG 4160 ENGLISH/WRITING INTERNSHIP (1-3)
Experiential learning. An opportunity for an upper-level Writing or English major to work either in the public or private sector at a position involving writing, editing, or research. The student is assigned duties approved by the Division Head, or by a supervising English or Writing instructor, and an on-site supervisor when appropriate. Written reports by the student might be required.
Prerequisite: Permission of the supervising instructor
Offered: as needed
ENG 4550 SENIOR SEMINAR IN LITERARY STUDIES (3)
A capstone course required for all English majors nearing graduation, English 4550 offers a thorough review of current research methodologies, citation practices, the use of print and electronic resources, literary theory, and career and/or academic work after MU graduation. It provides each student with the opportunity to engage in a lengthy, semester-long research project on a single literary topic or text(s) of the student’s choosing. A research paper of at least 20 pages and utilizing at least 10 electronic or nonelectronic sources will be required as well as a 20-minute oral presentation involving the integration of visual aids and demonstrating each student’s computer literacy.
Prerequisite: ENG 1040
Offered: as needed
ENG 4850 SPECIAL STUDIES IN ENGLISH (3) (GP)
To be determined. In-depth study involving research or research/travel and writing.
Prerequisite: permission of the Division Head
Offered: as needed
ENG 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ENGLISH (TBA)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Prerequisites: Requires approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the division head, and the college dean before approval by Provost. Credits to be determined.