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Course Descriptions for Fall 2007
Note: This listing is up-to-date, but not complete. Please check back for additions by instructors.
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English 341.002 Technical Communication
Instructor: Dr. Bill McCarron

This course in Technical Communication has seven exercises, six written and one oral.  The course begins with an experience of technology, then technical definition, followed by the description of a simple mechanism or a process description.  Students also write a formal letter of proposal concerning their final course project, followed by an informative abstract on that project.  Each student will give a 5-7 minute oral presentation on a phase of his/her final course project.  That final project may be an article or report or manual.  Subject area is the student’s choice, but most students choose a subject related to their academic major or work or hobby.  No written exams.  A progress report letter grade is given after Exercise #3, then after Exercise #6.  The final project receives a letter grade.  Please Note: Course text is Laura J. Gurak and John M. Lannon, A Concise Guide to Technical Communication (New York: Pearson Longman, 2007).
English 471.001
 Early British Literature
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Jacobs

From Beowulf through Swift: a mad romp through the British canon from
Beowulf, all the way through 1800. Of necessity this will be a "high points"
approach (minus Shakespeare, since he has a course of his own).  We will be
relying principally on the Norton Anthology of English Lit, Volume 1. Expect
3 tests, two research papers, and quizzes.
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English 497.001 Rowling's Harry Potter
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Jacobs

For the first time, ALL of Rowling's Harry Potter series, including the
7th volume (available July 2007). Expect to read and discuss intensely.
Students will be expected to know her books, her web-site, and show at least
sporadic acquaintance with the chief web-sites devoted to her. Expect
journals, several short papers, and a final exam.

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English 501.01S, .41R Structure of English
Instructor: Dr. Jon Jonz


In this course you will have the opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of the clause-level syntax of English, and you will be encouraged to experiment with a functionalist approach to the grammar of texts. In the course you will study contemporary meaning-based analyses of the syntactic structure of English, and you will gain skill in applying those analyses to examples of ordinary English.
 
Because this course emphasizes linguistic analysis, a considerable amount of class time will be devoted to analytical activities, applications, and discussions.
 
I have also selected several practice activities from the textbooks for you to do for credit outside of class.
 
Additionally, you will do a term project, and you will write two take-home examinations.
 
The course is supported by a web-based component using the university’s online courseware (eCollege). All course materials (including excerpts from the textbook) will be available electronically.
 
Textbook:  Jonz, J. (2007). An introduction to English sentence structure: Clauses, markers, missing elements. London: Equinox, to appear. (You will purchase your textbook through the instructor if it has not yet appeared from Equinox).

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English 537.001 Selected British Literature 1830-1945
Instructor: Dr. Hunter Hayes


This year ENG 537 will focus on England at war, examining literary Modernism within its context of the Great War (World War I), interwar and “slump” years, and the beginning of World War II. A period of social and political crises, the Modernist era has also produced some of the most notable and influential literary works of the twentieth century. However, this course will also address the Edwardian and Georgian literature in order to help students understand the significance of the war and postwar texts. In addition to studying the tragic dimensions of WWI and its aftermath, this course will also include works that use comedy to examine the condition of England during this critical period. While this course should appeal to those students who have an interest in trauma theory—they will undoubtedly find much material here to work from and with—the course will also include other critical considerations such as historic and aesthetic perspectives. Important objectives of this course are to understand these literary works within the context of their cultural and historical periods as well as to gain a better appreciation for Modernism and its enduring influence.
 
Students will participate in frank and engaged discussions, prepare one article-length essay, prepare and present one conference-length paper, and to write an encyclopedic-style entry or headnote on an assigned topic.  
 
Reading List for ENG 537: T. S. Eliot: The Waste Land and Other Poems; Ford Maddox Ford, The Good Soldier; Paul Fussell, The Great War and Modern Memory; Stella Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm; Graham Greene, The Ministry of Fear; Christopher Isherwood, Mr Norris Changes Trains; D. H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover; George Orwell, Coming Up for Air; Jon Silkin, The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry; Evelyn Waugh, Vile Bodies; H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway; plus selected articles and book chapters


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