Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013
College of Liberal Arts
» http://www.unh.edu/liberal-arts/
English (ENGL)
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Chairperson: Andrew H. Merton
Professor: Monica E. Chiu, Mary Morris Clark, Walter F. Eggers, Burt H. Feintuch, Michael K. Ferber, Diane P. Freedman, James Krasner, Douglas M. Lanier, Rochelle Lieber, Lisa MacFarlane, Mekeel McBride, Andrew H. Merton, Thomas R. Newkirk, David Rivard, Rachel Trubowitz, David H. Watters
Associate Professor: Brigitte Gabcke Bailey, Robin Hackett, Susan M. Hertz, Delia C. Konzett, Martin McKinsey, Lisa C. Miller, Sean D. Moore, Petar Ramadanovic, Siobhan Senier, Sarah Way Sherman, Sandhya Shetty
Affiliate Associate Professor: Georgeann Murphy
Assistant Professor: Maya Ravindranath Abtahian, Cristy Beemer, Dennis Britton, Tom Haines, Courtney Marshall, Christina Ortmeier-Hooper, Thomas Payne, Cord Whitaker, Reginald A. Wilburn, Ann J. Williams
Senior Lecturer: Pamela Barksdale, Shelley Girdner, Dawn Haines, Clark Knowles, Cindy Pulkkinen, Janet Schofield
Lecturer: Mary Berguin, Molly Campbell, Denise Desrosiers, Stephanie Harzewski, David Howland, Carolyn J. Hutton, Krista L. Jackman, Jeong-eun Kim, Matthias Konzett, Rachel Lachance, Robin Lent, Andrew Marsters, Christine O'Keefe, James Rioux, Elissa Scogland, Nancy Sell, Oksana Semenova, Laura A. Smith, Charli Valdez, Leah D. Williams, Carol A. Zickell, Jay Zysk
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 dual objectives of the general English major are to provide all students with a common core of literary experience and to offer 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 nonfiction, 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), six courses numbered 600 and above, and one additional 500-, 600-, or 700-level English course of their choosing. 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 512 or 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.
3. One course that addresses race, the construction of race, and racial theories. Students may choose from: ENGL 517, 540, 550, 609, 690, 738, 739, 740, 693R, 797R. Other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the adviser.
The Discovery Program capstone for English majors is one of the following: the English Major Seminar (ENGL 787), a 700-level class taken for capstone credit, one additional 700-level class, or a writing portfolio. (See the English Department website for specific descriptions of these requirements.)
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Majors may count one major course from the Humanities Discovery category for both a major requirement and a Discovery requirement.
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. A minimum of six 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 512 or 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, or 777); genre, including film, with the exception of ENGL 533 (616, 618, 630, 631, 632, or 777); and/or theoretical positions (ENGL 713, 714). Other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the adviser.
6. One course that addresses race, the construction of race, and racial theories. Students may choose from ENGL 517, 540, 550, 609, 690, 738, 739, 740, 693R, 797R. Other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the adviser.
The Discovery Program capstone for English Literature majors is the English Major Seminar, ENGL 787.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Majors may count one major course from the Humanities Discovery category for both a major requirement and a Discovery requirement.
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 is designed for students wishing to teach English in middle or high schools (grades 5-12). Students receive a B.A. in English Teaching upon completion of their undergraduate studies. Completion of the undergraduate major does not in itself, however, meet state certification requirements to teach in public schools in New Hampshire (and states recognizing New Hampshire certification). English Teaching majors who want to gain certification at UNH must apply for admission to (and complete) graduate study, including coursework and a year-long internship within the Department of Education. (Students usually apply for the Master’s program in their senior year; please see the Department of Education for details on the M.A.T. and M.Ed. programs.) Much of the work for a master's degree may be completed during this fifth year, but some students will need additional time spent in summer courses or additional semesters. Most students, however, will earn certification at the end of the fifth year and receive the graduate degree. The New Hampshire teaching certificate is recognized by many but not all states.
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, the department seeks to make its preservice 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. Preservice 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 yearlong teaching internship, students apply their knowledge from both sources to actual practice. This requirement reflects a 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. Students should enroll in the undergraduate major and:
1. Pass the following English courses with an average of 2.5 or better: ENGL 419; 514; 516; 657; 725 & 726 or 710 & 792; 718 or 791; two additional literature courses numbered 600 or above; one course that addresses race, the construction of race, and racial theories from a department-approved list (other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the student’s advisor); and any English department course in writing, linguistics, critical theory, film, or literature (except 401, 403, and 444). ENGL 512 or 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 fall or spring of their senior year (usually September 30 for the internship and November 1 or February 1 for the master’s program).
3. Complete a writing portfolio.
The Discovery Program capstone for English Teaching majors is the Writing Portfolio.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Majors may count one major course from the Humanities Discovery category for both a major requirement and a Discovery requirement.
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 media writing or editing careers. As the industry has changed with the advent of the Internet, so have the courses. In addition to learning the basic skills required to write for publication, which include interviewing, reporting, fact gathering, and writing in both news and feature styles, students are also taught to produce stories for multiple platforms, such as producing online podcasts and vodcasts. Students develop skills that will help launch successful careers in journalism but also in a wide variety of other vocations. Learning to think and communicate clearly are talents desired by most employers.
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 512 or 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 course that addresses race, the construction of race, and racial theories. Students may choose from: ENGL 517, 540, 550, 609, 690, 738, 739, 740, 693R, 797R. Other courses may count, when relevant and with prior written approval of the adviser.
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. Additional journalism course requirements include ENGL 622 and any two of the following courses: ENGL 623, 711, 721, 722, 723, 703, 704, 708, 724. Students are also encouraged to write and edit for student publications such as The New Hampshire and Main Street. Beyond these requirements, English/Journalism majors work at one media internship, preferably full time, for a semester (ENGL 720). A faculty member supervises the internships, which are central to the English/Journalism major, requiring students to use their new skills in a professional environment.
Because media outlets are expecting even entry-level staff to have an area of expertise, English/Journalism majors must take a three-course concentration in another field, such as sociology, German, environmental science, criminal justice, or other English disciplines (e.g., African American studies).
The Discovery Program capstone for English/Journalism majors is the Journalism Internship, ENGL 720.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Majors may count one major course from the Humanities Discovery category for both a major requirement and a Discovery requirement.
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. The department also offers a writing minor. Interested students should inquire at the department office.
