Undergraduate Course Catalog 2008-2009
College of Liberal Arts
» http://www.unh.edu/liberal-arts/
English (ENGL)
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Chairperson: Andrew H. Merton
Professor: Thomas A. Carnicelli, Mary Morris Clark, Walter F. Eggers, Burt H. Feintuch, Michael K. Ferber, Lester A. Fisher, Diane P. Freedman, Elizabeth H. Hageman, Rochelle Lieber, John S. Lofty, Lisa MacFarlane, Mekeel McBride, Andrew H. Merton, Thomas R. Newkirk, David H. Watters, Janet Aikins Yount
Associate Professor: Brigitte Gabcke Bailey, Monica E. Chiu, Margaret-Love G. Denman, Robin Hackett, Susan Margaret Hertz, James Krasner, Douglas M. Lanier, Lisa C. Miller, Naomi G. Nagy, Petar Ramadanovic, Siobhan Senier, Sarah Way Sherman, Sandhya Shetty, Rachel Trubowitz
Assistant Professor: Dennis Britton, Delia C. Konzett, Martin McKinsey, Sean D. Moore, Reginald A. Wilburn
Senior Lecturer: Pamela Barksdale, Janet Schofield
Lecturer: Shelley Girdner, Dawn Haines, Meredith Hall, David Howland, Krista L. Jackman, Clark Knowles, Robin Lent, Nancy Sell, Oksana Semenova, Laura A. Smith, Leah D. Williams, Ann J. Williams, Carol A. Zickell
The English department offers four majors: English, English Literature, English Teaching, and English/Journalism. A fifth undergraduate program is the interdepartmental Linguistics major.
Through these diverse but interrelated programs of study, the English department pursues a three-pronged mission in undergraduate instruction. We seek, first, to train students in the professional study of literature in the English language. In conjunction with this broad, multifaceted aim, we strive to educate students about the history and nature of English language in its spoken and written forms. As a third and equally important part of our mission, we teach students to write clearly, persuasively, and elegantly. In all five of its undergraduate majors, the English department provides students with the kinds of critical thinking, research, and writing skills that will serve them well in their personal and professional lives.
The English Major
The general English major pursues two chief objectives: to provide all students with a common core of literary experience and the opportunity to shape a course of study suited to their personal interests. Flexible requirements place a responsibility on each student to devise a program that has an intelligent rationale. For example, students with a special interest in writing are free to take the minimum number of literature courses (five) and complete their major by taking offerings in fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry writing. All the undergraduate courses offered by the department are open to English majors so that students may sample a range of courses in literature, linguistics, creative or nonfiction writing, and English teaching, according to particular interests that change and grow.
By its very nature, the English major is broad, open, and liberal. It enables students to sample a variety of courses in order to understand the operation of language from many perspectives.
For the English major, students must complete a minimum of 40 credits of major coursework with a grade of C- or better, with the exception of ENGL 419, which must be completed with a grade of C or better. Students must complete ENGL 419, two 500-level courses (or one 500-level course and ENGL/LING 405), and seven courses numbered 600 and above. In selecting these courses, students must be sure to meet the following distribution requirements:
1. Two courses in literature written before 1800: either two advanced courses (numbered 600 or above), or one advanced course and ENGL 513.
2. Two courses in literature written since 1800: either two advanced courses, or one advanced course and one course from the following list: ENGL 514, 515, or 516.
Students interested in majoring in English should consult Carla Cannizzaro, coordinator of the Department of English, 113 Hamilton Smith Hall, (603) 862-1313.
The English Literature Major
The English Literature major has been developed for those students looking for a more focused study of literature, especially those who plan to go on to graduate school in English or other fields in the humanities. Its requirements have been designed to engage students in a sustained study of literature that explores the formal, historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of written texts.
These requirements are designed to strengthen students’ knowledge of literary history and cultural contexts, forms of literary expression, and the interpretive questions that shape critical inquiry. Students in this program will develop a deep understanding and appreciation of literatures in English, including both British and American literatures, as well as literary traditions organized around other principles, such as postcolonial or African-American. The English Literature major also encourages students to develop a higher proficiency in critical writing, in formulating and addressing complex problems, and in synthesizing research.
For the English Literature major, students must complete a minimum of 40 credits of major coursework with a grade of C- or better, with the exception of ENGL 419, which must be completed with a grade of C or better. Additional requirements include two 500-level courses, one of which must be a survey course; ENGL 619; and ENGL 787. Seven courses must be completed at the 600 level or higher. In selecting courses, students must be sure to meet the following distribution requirements. Please note that, in many cases, a single course may satisfy a requirement in two or more categories.
1. Two courses in literature written prior to 1800: either two advanced courses (600 level and above) or one advanced course and ENGL 513.
2. Two courses in literature written since 1800: either two advanced courses or one advanced course and one of the following: ENGL 514, 515, or 516.
3. One American literature course at the 600/700 level.
4. One British literature course at the 600/700 level.
5. Two courses that investigate and question representations of identity (ENGL 517, 540, 555, 581, 585, 586, 681, 685, 690, 738, 739, 740, 775, 777); genre, including film, with the exception of ENGL 533 (616, 618, 630, 631, 632, 777); and/or theoretical positions (ENGL 713, 714). Other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the adviser.
Students interested in majoring in English Literature should consult Carla Cannizzaro, coordinator of the Department of English, 113 Hamilton Smith Hall, (603) 862-1313, or the director of the English Literature program.
The English Teaching Major
The English Teaching major program leads to certification in middle- and secondary-level English teaching. It is an integrated, pre-service program designed to be completed in five years, a time frame which assumes that students take summer courses. Students who complete the undergraduate component, the English Teaching major, receive a B.A. degree in English Teaching. Upon admission to the graduate school, students then work their way through graduate coursework. Most students earn certification at the end of the fifth year. Some earn the master's degree (either an M.A.T. or M.Ed. in Education) and a specialization in English teaching at that point as well, although many complete the degree during their first year of teaching. With or without the graduate degree, most students are certified and ready to look for teaching positions at the end of the fifth year.
The goal of the English Teaching major is to prepare students as informed, thoughtful, and skilled English teachers who will become educational leaders in their schools and, more broadly, in the profession itself. To that end, we seek to make our pre-service teachers thoroughly familiar with the knowledge base available in the Departments of English and Education. From their courses within the English department, students learn what the study of English entails, from literature to linguistics, and how areas of knowledge and the abilities to read, write, and discuss can best be taught to students in grades 5-12. Pre-service teachers also acquire knowledge of certain content areas, such as American and British literature and English grammar. From their courses within the Education department, students learn about human development and learning, the history and structure of schools, and different philosophical perspectives on public education. Finally, through the year-long teaching internship, our students apply their knowledge from both sources to actual practice. This requirement reflects our core belief that the opportunity to combine theory and practice is essential in preparing effective beginning teachers.
Completion of the undergraduate teaching major does not in itself meet state certification requirements. To meet these requirements, students should enroll in the undergraduate major and
1. Pass the following English courses with an average of 2.50 or better: ENGL 419, 514, 516, 657, 725-726 or 710 and 792, 718 or 791, two additional literature courses numbered 600 or above, and any English department course in writing, linguistics, critical theory, film, or literature (except 401, 403, and 444). ENGL 513 may be substituted for one of the two required literature courses numbered 600 or above.
2. Apply for the fifth-year teaching internship and master’s degree program by September 15 of their senior year.
3. Complete a writing portfolio.
Students interested in majoring in English Teaching should consult Carla Cannizzaro, coordinator of the Department of English, 113 Hamilton Smith Hall, (603) 862-1313, or the director of the English Teaching program.
The English/Journalism Major
The English/Journalism major combines the study of literature with the study of nonfiction writing and professional training for students considering writing or editing careers in print journalism or related fields. In their courses, students learn to practice all aspects of reporting and newswriting and to appreciate the mission of journalism while developing skills and attitudes that they can adapt to a wide range of careers upon graduation.
English/Journalism majors must complete ENGL 419 with a grade of C or better and the literature requirements of the standard English major. These requirements include:
1. Two courses in literature written prior to 1800: either two advanced courses (600 level and above) or one advanced course and ENGL 513.
2. Two courses in literature written since 1800: either two advanced courses or one advanced course and one of the following: ENGL 514, 515, or 516.
In addition to the five required literature courses, English/Journalism majors must take ENGL 501, Introduction to Creative Nonfiction, and earn a B or better to enroll in the first journalism course, ENGL 621, Newswriting. Students must also earn a B or better in Newswriting to continue on to the advanced journalism courses. They are also encouraged to write and edit for student publications such as The New Hampshire and Main Street. Beyond these requirements, English/Journalism majors must participate in at least one internship at a daily or weekly newspaper or magazine. A faculty member supervises the internships, which are central to the English/Journalism major, requiring students to work as reporters and editors.
Students interested in the English/Journalism major should see Carla Cannizzaro, coordinator of the Department of English, 113 Hamilton Smith Hall, (603) 862-1313, or the director of the English/Journalism program.
Writing Programs
The Department of English offers courses for students interested in becoming writers. Up to four consecutive creative writing workshops can be taken in fiction or in poetry, as well as a course in form and theory of either genre. The instructors for these courses are professional writers. Interested students should inquire at the department office.
