2010-2011 University Catalog

HELP

2010-2011 University Catalog

English, BA

Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code: LA-BA-ENGL

Web: english.gmu.edu

This program of study is offered by the Department of English .

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog.

Degree Requirements

In addition to satisfying university general education requirements and the requirements for a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences , students pursuing this degree must complete 30 credits (nine courses) in English beyond ENGL 302 with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Students choose either one of 13 concentrations or an emphasis in comparative literature.

Students should consult with an English Department advisor to learn ways in which the university-wide general education requirements can also satisfy college-level requirements or the English major.

BA in English with a concentration

One required course (6 credits)

ENGL 325 - Dimensions of Writing and Literature Credits: 6

Four core courses (12 credits)

Courses taken to fulfill this requirement may simultaneously satisfy a concentration. Special topics courses, when relevant, may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the department.

One course (3 credits) in literature before 1800 chosen from:

ENGL 335 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Histories and Comedies)
ENGL 336 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Tragedies and Romances)
ENGL 400 - Literature of the Middle Ages Credits: 3
ENGL 401 - English Poetry and Prose of the 16th C Credits: 3
ENGL 402 - English Poetry and Prose of the 17th C Credits: 3
ENGL 404 - Augustan Age: 1660-1745 Credits: 3
ENGL 405 - Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800 Credits: 3
ENGL 431 - Medieval Literature in Context Credits: 3
ENGL 440 - English Renaissance Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 443 - Restoration and 18th Century Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 450 - British Novel of the 18th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 471 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 472 - Spenser Credits: 3
ENGL 474 - Milton Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in literature before 1915 chosen from courses listed above and the following courses:

ENGL 368 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 Credits: 3
ENGL 406 - British Poetry of the Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 407 - Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period Credits: 3
ENGL 423 - Early American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 425 - Literature of the American Renaissance Credits: 3
ENGL 436 - Nineteenth-Century Continental Novels in Translation Credits: 3
ENGL 452 - Development of the American Novel to 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 453 - British Novel of the 19th Century Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in minority, folkloric, or popular literary and cultural traditions chosen from:

ENGL 333 - Folklore and Folklife Credits: 3
ENGL 334 - Popular Culture Credits: 3
ENGL 349 - Global Voices Credits: 3
ENGL 350 - The Idea of a World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 368 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 369 - Topics: Women and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 Credits: 3
ENGL 371 - African American Literature Through 1946 Credits: 3
ENGL 372 - Contemporary African American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 375 - Topics in Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 439 - World Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 460 - Critical Study of Children's Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 479 - Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore Credits: 3
ENGL 480 - Folklore of the Spirit World Credits: 3
ENGL 481 - Folk Arts and Folk Artists Credits: 3
ENGL 491 - Topics in Folklore Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 492 - Science Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 493 - Topics in Popular Literature Credits: 3

One elective course (3 credits) above ENGL 302

Four courses (12 credits) in one concentration

Special topics courses may be used to fulfill the requirements for a concentration when so designated by department.

▲ Concentration in American Literature (ALIT)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 333 - Folklore and Folklife Credits: 3
ENGL 368 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 Credits: 3
ENGL 371 - African American Literature Through 1946 Credits: 3
ENGL 372 - Contemporary African American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 375 - Topics in Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 380 - Recent American Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 390 - Recent American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 423 - Early American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 425 - Literature of the American Renaissance Credits: 3
ENGL 447 - American Drama of the 20th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 452 - Development of the American Novel to 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 454 - Development of the American Novel since 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 463 - American Poetry of the 20th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 478 - Topics: American Authors Credits: 3
ENGL 479 - Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Creative Writing (CW)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 344 - Digital Creative Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 397 - Poetry Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 398 - Fiction Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 399 - Creative Nonfiction Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 458 - Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop Credits: 3
ENGL 464 - Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop Credits: 3
ENGL 497 - Special Topics in Creative Writing Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Cultural Studies (CULT)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 327 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 330 - Introduction to Literary Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 332 - Introduction to Film Credits: 3
ENGL 333 - Folklore and Folklife Credits: 3
ENGL 334 - Popular Culture Credits: 3
ENGL 338 - Cultural Constructions of Sexualities Credits: 3
ENGL 349 - Global Voices Credits: 3
ENGL 368 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 369 - Topics: Women and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 Credits: 3
ENGL 371 - African American Literature Through 1946 Credits: 3
ENGL 372 - Contemporary African American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 375 - Topics in Ethnic American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 460 - Critical Study of Children's Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 479 - Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore Credits: 3
ENGL 480 - Folklore of the Spirit World Credits: 3
ENGL 481 - Folk Arts and Folk Artists Credits: 3
ENGL 490 - Topics in Film/Media Credits: 3
ENGL 491 - Topics in Folklore Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 493 - Topics in Popular Literature Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

COMM 465 - Topics in Communication and Gender Credits: 3
CULT 320 - Globalization and Culture Credits: 3
PSYC 362 - Psychology of Women Credits: 3
SOCI 315 - Sex and Gender in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
WMST 300 - Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies Credits: 1-6
WMST 330 - Theoretical Perspectives in Women and Gender Studies Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Drama (DRA)

A maximum of one course (3 credits) may be from courses on Shakespeare.

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 335 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Histories and Comedies)
ENGL 336 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Tragedies and Romances)
ENGL 440 - English Renaissance Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 443 - Restoration and 18th Century Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 445 - British and Irish Drama after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 447 - American Drama of the 20th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 448 - Modern Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 449 - Topics in Drama Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

FREN 413 - French Literature of the Seventeenth Century: Classical Drama Credits: 3
FREN 442 - Twentieth-Century Drama and Poetry Credits: 3
RUSS 407 - Russian Drama and Theater Credits: 3
SPAN 565 - Studies in Spanish American Drama Credits: 3
THR 350 - Script Analysis Credits: 3
THR 351 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
THR 352 - Dramatic Literature Seminar Credits: 3
THR 380 - Playwriting I Credits: 3
THR 381 - Playwriting II Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Fiction (FIC)

Three courses (9 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 380 - Recent American Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 398 - Fiction Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 437 - Continental Fiction: 1880-1950 Credits: 3
ENGL 450 - British Novel of the 18th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 452 - Development of the American Novel to 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 453 - British Novel of the 19th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 454 - Development of the American Novel since 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 456 - British Novel after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 459 - Topics in Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 460 - Critical Study of Children's Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 492 - Science Fiction Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in fiction before 1915 chosen from:

ENGL 436 - Nineteenth-Century Continental Novels in Translation Credits: 3
ENGL 450 - British Novel of the 18th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 452 - Development of the American Novel to 1914 Credits: 3
ENGL 453 - British Novel of the 19th Century Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Film and Media Studies (FILM)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 327 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 331 - Introduction to Documentary Credits: 3
ENGL 332 - Introduction to Film Credits: 3
ENGL 343 - Rhetoric and New Media Credits: 3
ENGL 421 - Topics in Film/Media History Credits: 3
ENGL 422 - Topics in Film/Media Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 490 - Topics in Film/Media Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

ARTH 362 - Twentieth-Century European Art Credits: 3
ARTH 373 - Studies in 20th-Century Art of the United States Credits: 3
ARTH 374 - Art Now Credits: 3
COMM 380 - Media Criticism Credits: 3
COMM 465 - Topics in Communication and Gender Credits: 3
MUSI 301 - Music in Motion Pictures Credits: 3
RUSS 470 - Topics in (Post) Soviet Film Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Folklore and Mythology (FML)

At least two courses (6 credits) in folklore and mythology chosen from:

ENGL 311 - Writing Ethnography Credits: 3
ENGL 333 - Folklore and Folklife Credits: 3
ENGL 337 - Topics in Myth and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 479 - Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore Credits: 3
ENGL 480 - Folklore of the Spirit World Credits: 3
ENGL 481 - Folk Arts and Folk Artists Credits: 3
ENGL 491 - Topics in Folklore Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 498 - Internship: Special Topics Credits: 1-3
ENGL 591 - Topics in Folklore Studies Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

ANTH 450 - Qualitative Methods: Nonstatistical Approaches in Culture and Social Research Credits: 3
CLAS 340 - Greek and Roman Epic Credits: 3

Up to two courses (6 credits) related to folklore and mythology chosen from:

ENGL 327 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 335 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Histories and Comedies)
ENGL 336 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Tragedies and Romances)
ENGL 349 - Global Voices Credits: 3
ENGL 368 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 370 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 Credits: 3
ENGL 371 - African American Literature Through 1946 Credits: 3
ENGL 372 - Contemporary African American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 400 - Literature of the Middle Ages Credits: 3
ENGL 445 - British and Irish Drama after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 471 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 472 - Spenser Credits: 3
ENGL 474 - Milton Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

ANTH 301 - Native North Americans Credits: 3
ANTH 302 - Peoples and Cultures of Latin America Credits: 3
ANTH 304 - Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific Credits: 3
ANTH 306 - Peoples and Cultures of Island Asia Credits: 3
ANTH 307 - Ancient Mesoamerica Credits: 3
ANTH 308 - Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East Credits: 3
ANTH 311 - Peoples and Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia Credits: 3
ANTH 313 - Myth, Magic, and Mind Credits: 3
ANTH 332 - Cross-cultural perspectives on globalization Credits: 3
ARTH 319 - Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East Credits: 3
ARTH 321 - Greek Art and Archaeology Credits: 3
ARTH 322 - Roman Art and Archaeology Credits: 3
ARTH 340 - Early Renaissance Art in Italy, 1300-1500 Credits: 3
ARTH 342 - High Renaissance Art in Italy, 1480–1570 Credits: 3
ARTH 345 - Northern Baroque Art, 1600-1750 Credits: 3
ARTH 382 - Arts of India Credits: 3
ARTH 383 - Arts of Southeast Asia Credits: 3
ARTH 384 - Arts of China Credits: 3
ARTH 385 - Arts of Japan Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Linguistics (LING)

One required course (3 credits):

LING 326 - General Linguistics Credits: 3

Three courses (9 credits) chosen from:

LING 322 - English Grammar Credits: 3
LING 450 - Introduction to Sociolinguistics Credits: 3
LING 485 - Semantics and Pragmatics Credits: 3
LING 486 - Syntax I Credits: 3
LING 490 - Generative Phonology Credits: 3
LING 499 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3
LING 507 - Field Work in Applied Linguistics Credits: 3
LING 521 - Applied Linguistics: Teaching English as a Second Language Credits: 3
LING 523 - English Phonetics Credits: 3
LING 581 - Psycholinguistics Credits: 3
LING 582 - Second Language Acquisition Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Literature (MRL)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 335 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Histories and Comedies)
ENGL 336 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Tragedies and Romances)
ENGL 400 - Literature of the Middle Ages Credits: 3
ENGL 401 - English Poetry and Prose of the 16th C Credits: 3
ENGL 402 - English Poetry and Prose of the 17th C Credits: 3
ENGL 431 - Medieval Literature in Context Credits: 3
ENGL 440 - English Renaissance Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 471 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENGL 472 - Spenser Credits: 3
ENGL 473 - Studies in Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 474 - Milton Credits: 3

May include one course (3 credits) from outside the English Department chosen from:

ARTH 333 - Early Christian and Byzantine Art Credits: 3
ARTH 334 - Western Medieval Art Credits: 3
ARTH 340 - Early Renaissance Art in Italy, 1300-1500 Credits: 3
ARTH 341 - Northern Renaissance Art Credits: 3
ARTH 342 - High Renaissance Art in Italy, 1480–1570 Credits: 3
ARTH 344 - Baroque Art in Italy, France, and Spain, 1600–1750 Credits: 3
ARTH 345 - Northern Baroque Art, 1600-1750 Credits: 3
HIST 304 - Western Europe in the Middle Ages Credits: 3
HIST 305 - The Renaissance Credits: 3
HIST 306 - The Reformation Credits: 3
HIST 321 - Early Modern England Credits: 3
PHIL 302 - History of Western Philosophy: Medieval Credits: 3
RELI 371 - Classic Jewish Texts Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Modern British Literature (MBL)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 404 - Augustan Age: 1660-1745 Credits: 3
ENGL 405 - Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800 Credits: 3
ENGL 406 - British Poetry of the Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 407 - Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period Credits: 3
ENGL 443 - Restoration and 18th Century Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 445 - British and Irish Drama after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 450 - British Novel of the 18th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 453 - British Novel of the 19th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 456 - British Novel after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 462 - British Poetry after 1900 Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Nonfiction Writing and Rhetoric (NWR)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 309 - Writing Nonfiction Genres Credits: 3
ENGL 311 - Writing Ethnography Credits: 3
ENGL 342 - Web Authoring and Design Credits: 3
ENGL 343 - Rhetoric and New Media Credits: 3
ENGL 392 - Editing for Audience, Style, and Voice Credits: 3
ENGL 399 - Creative Nonfiction Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 410 - Professional and Technical Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 489 - Writing Nonfiction for Publication Credits: 3
ENGL 496 - Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 498 - Internship: Special Topics Credits: 1-3
ENGL 503 - Theory and Practice of Editing Credits: 3
ENGL 504 - Internship in Writing and Editing Credits: 3-6
ENGL 505 - Computer-Assisted Publications Writing and Design Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in Poetry (POE)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

ENGL 335 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Histories and Comedies)
ENGL 336 - Shakespeare Credits: 3 (Tragedies and Romances)
ENGL 390 - Recent American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 397 - Poetry Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 400 - Literature of the Middle Ages Credits: 3
ENGL 401 - English Poetry and Prose of the 16th C Credits: 3
ENGL 402 - English Poetry and Prose of the 17th C Credits: 3
ENGL 404 - Augustan Age: 1660-1745 Credits: 3
ENGL 406 - British Poetry of the Romantic Period Credits: 3
ENGL 407 - Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period Credits: 3
ENGL 462 - British Poetry after 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 463 - American Poetry of the 20th Century Credits: 3
ENGL 468 - Topics in Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 471 - Chaucer Credits: 3

▲ Concentration in World Literature (WLIT)

At least two courses (6 credits) chosen from:

Special topics courses, when relevant, may be applied to this concentration when designated by the department.

ENGL 349 - Global Voices Credits: 3
ENGL 350 - The Idea of a World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 436 - Nineteenth-Century Continental Novels in Translation Credits: 3
ENGL 437 - Continental Fiction: 1880-1950 Credits: 3
ENGL 439 - World Literatures in English Credits: 3
ENGL 448 - Modern Drama Credits: 3

2 additional courses (6 credits)

Courses may be chosen from list above or the lists below.

One course (3 credits) from a concentration

Students can choose up to one course (3 credits) from courses listed under the concentrations above in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, American Literature, or Modern British Literature.

Up to one course (3 credits) chosen from:

Students may apply up to one course from this list to the concentration when the topic is relevant, subject to the approval of the department.

ANTH 300 - Civilizations Credits: 3
CULT 320 - Globalization and Culture Credits: 3
HIST 308 - Nineteenth-Century Europe Credits: 3
HIST 309 - Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 Credits: 3
HIST 387 - Topics in Global History Credits: 3
CHIN 310 - Survey of Chinese Literature Credits: 3
CHIN 311 - Modern Chinese Literature in Translation Credits: 3
CHIN 325 - Major Chinese Writers Credits: 3
CHIN 328 - Asian American Women Writers Credits: 3
FRLN 330 - Topics in World Literature Credits: 3
FREN 325 - Major French Writers Credits: 3
FREN 329 - Problems of Western Civilization in French Literature Credits: 3
GERM 325 - Major Writers Credits: 3
JAPA 320 - Japanese Cinema Credits: 3
RUSS 325 - Major Russian Writers Credits: 3
RUSS 326 - A Survey of Russian Literature Credits: 3
RUSS 327 - A Survey of Russian Literature Credits: 3
SPAN 325 - Major Hispanic Writers Credits: 3
SPAN 329 - Special Topics in Spanish and Latin American Literature Credits: 3

BA in English with a Comparative Literature Emphasis

The English Department and the Modern and Classical Languages Department offer a BA in English with an emphasis in comparative literature. This program combines the study of literature in English with the study of one or more foreign literatures and with cross-cultural literary study. It requires 10 courses above ENGL 302. Students should consult with their advisor to design a program of study that best suits their particular interests and goals.

Two required courses (6 credits):

CL 300 - Introduction to Comparative Literature Credits: 3
CL 514 - Theories of Comparative Literature Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in literary criticism, as appropriate for the student’s focus:

ENGL 325 - Dimensions of Writing and Literature Credits: 6
FREN 381 - Introduction to Literary Analysis Credits: 3

Two courses (6 credits) in English or American literature

Two courses (6 credits) in literature other than English or American

Students meet this requirement with courses in a literature other than English or American, either in translation or, for those pursuing foreign language study, with selected readings in the original language.

Three courses (9 credits) in comparative or world literature

Comparative or world literature courses are designated by the comparative literature committee and generally selected in consultation with the advisor every semester. Examples are:

various 300-level CLAS courses
FRLN 330 courses
Special topics courses, when relevant, in ENGL, FREN, GERM, RUSS, SPAN, or other language

ENGL 350 - The Idea of a World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 431 - Medieval Literature in Context Credits: 3
ENGL 436 - Nineteenth-Century Continental Novels in Translation Credits: 3
ENGL 437 - Continental Fiction: 1880-1950 Credits: 3
ENGL 439 - World Literatures in English Credits: 3

Total: 30 credits

Writing Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in English fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ENGL 325. Students doing the comparative literature emphasis who do not take ENGL 325 will have to meet the synthesis requirement with another non-English course.

Print-Friendly Page