Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

Department of English and Philosophy

Chair and Professor:   M. Johnson
Director of Philosophy and Professor:  Wahl
Director of Graduate Studies and Professor: Winston
Director of Composition and Professor: Swetnam
Professors: B. Attebery, J. Attebery, Baergen, A. Johnson, M. Johnson. Levenson, Schmidt, Worsham
Associate Professors: Engebretsen, Hellwig, Klein, Launspach, Montgomery, Skidmore, Whitaker, Wolter
Assistant Professors: Goslee, Petit, Shutters
Senior Lecturers: Norton, Pfister
Associate Lecturers: Dodd, C. Donovan, Hall, S. Johnson, Lattin, McCurdy, Schultz Hurst
Assistant Lecturers: W. Donovan, Pelletti, Robinson, Shein, Stubbs
Adjunct Faculty:  Allen, Brooks, Brumfield, Charles, Christensen, Cole, Dineen, Graham, Haeberle, Hardy, Harker, Hatch, Keezer, Olsen, Reedy, Tighe, VanBezooyen, Wall, Wood
Emeriti: Cantrill, Goldbeck, Huck, Jacob, Kijinski, K. King, W. King, Mullin, Myers, Schow, Smith, Tate, D. Walsh, M. E. Walsh

 Faculty Information   
 Departmental Overview   
 Department Web Page   
 Degree Options in English, including Prerequisites and Standards   
 Minors in English   
 English Courses   

 Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy   
 Minors in Philosophy   
 Philosophy Courses    

Departmental Overview

The Department of English and Philosophy offers broad curricula in two humanistic disciplines. English studies include courses that treat the nature of language, courses that explore human experience as represented in imaginative literature, and courses that develop general and specialized writing skills. The philosophy curriculum examines such topics as the nature of reality and being, the ways that knowledge is acquired, and the bases for ethical choices.

These curricula serve two broad purposes: 1) they contribute to the general education, the personal enrichment and fulfillment, of students in all disciplines, and 2) they lead to degrees with majors or minors. Specifically, the department offers the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English, and the B.A. in philosophy. (Full descriptions of the graduate degree programs in English may be found in the Graduate Catalog.)

Equipped with an undergraduate degree in either English or philosophy, students are prepared to enter graduate degree programs, to pursue training in such professions as medicine, law, or religion, or to embark upon a great variety of careers in government/business/industry that demand broad, liberal arts perspectives and strong observational, fact-finding, analytical, and communication skills. Additionally, English majors (with proper certification) are well prepared for careers in secondary education.

English Education Program

For the requirements of the Secondary Teaching Major in English, the Single Subject Teaching Major in English, and the Teaching Minor in English, see the descriptions in the Teacher Education Program.

Placement in English Composition Courses

Regulations and procedures governing student placement in the composition-course sequence are summarized under General Education Requirements, Goal 1. Students should consult with the Director of Composition concerning applicability toward Goal 1 requirements of writing courses taken at other institutions.

Bachelor of Arts In English

A student may choose only one of the Options below--Literary, Professional Writing, or Creative Writing --to fulfill the requirements for the English major. As there is only one English major, it is not possible to choose more than one of these options to double major in English. Each option requires completion of 45 semester hours as specified (excluding lower division composition courses—ENGL 0090, 1101, and 1102).  

Please note prerequisites listed in statement of prerequisites and standards as well as in course descriptions.

Option 1—Literary

Take these required courses:

ENGL 2211	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 2280	Grammar and Usage			3 cr
           OR
ENGL 2281	Introduction to Language Studies	3 cr
ENGL 3311	Writing and Research About Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4491	Senior Seminar in Literature		3 cr

Choose two of the following survey courses:

ENGL 2267	Survey of British Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2268	Survey of British Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2277	Survey of American Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2278	Survey of American Literature II	3 cr

Choose one of the following genre study courses:

ENGL 3321	Genre Studies in Drama			3 cr
ENGL 3322	Genre Studies in Poetry			3 cr
ENGL 3323	Genre Studies in Fiction		3 cr
ENGL 3324	Genre Studies in Non-Fiction		3 cr
ENGL 3327	Special Topics in Genre			3 cr

Choose two of the following period courses:

ENGL 4461	Studies in Classical Literature		3 cr      
ENGL 4462	Studies in Medieval Literature		3 cr    
ENGL 4463	Studies in Renaissance Literature	3 cr  
ENGL 4464	Studies in 
		Seventeenth-Century Literature     	3 cr    
ENGL 4465	Studies in 
		Eighteenth-Century Literature		3 cr    
ENGL 4466	Studies in 
		Early Nineteenth-Century Literature	3 cr    
ENGL 4467	Studies in 
		Late Nineteenth-Century Literature	3 cr    
ENGL 4468	Studies in 
		Early Twentieth-Century Literature	3 cr    
ENGL 4469       Studies in Contemporary Literature	3 cr   

Choose one of the following major figure courses:

ENGL 4472	Proseminar in a Major Literary Figure	3 cr
ENGL 4473	Chaucer					3 cr
ENGL 4474	Milton					3 cr
ENGL 4476	Shakespeare				3 cr

Choose one of the following themes and identity courses:

ENGL 3328	Gender in Literature			3 cr
ENGL 3356	Ethnicity in Literature			3 cr
ENGL 4470	Post-Colonial Literature		3 cr 
ENGL 4489	American Indian Literature		3 cr

Choose one of the following language studies courses:

ENGL 4480	Varieties of American English		3 cr
ENGL 4481	Studies in Grammar			3 cr
ENGL 4484	Special Topics in Linguistics		3 cr
ENGL 4484 	Rotating Topics in Linguistics		3 cr
ENGL 4486	Old English				3 cr
ENGL 4487	History of the English Language		3 cr
ENGL 4488	Introduction to Sociolinguistics	3 cr

Electives

Choose 9 additional elective credits from English courses listed in Literary Option, Professional Writing Option and Creative Writing Option, or the following courses, 6 credits of which must be upper-division courses:

ENGL 1110	Introduction to Literature		3 cr
ENGL 1115	Major Themes in Literature		3 cr
ENGL 2212	Introduction to Folklore/Oral Tradition	3 cr
ENGL 2257	Survey of World Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2258	Survey of World Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 3305	Art of the Film II			3 cr
ENGL 3333	Themes in Literature			3 cr
ENGL 3341	The Bible as Literature			3 cr
ENGL 3342	The West in American Literature		3 cr
ENGL 3367	Language in the United States		3 cr
ENGL 4440	Philosophy and Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4455	Nationality and Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4456	Comparative Literature			3 cr
ENGL 4477	Shakespeare in Performance		2 cr
ENGL 4490	Topics in Folklore			3 cr
ENGL 4492	Folklore and Literature			3 cr

LITERARY ENGLISH MAJOR TOTAL:				45 cr

Option 2—Professional Writing

Note: Students electing the writing option in the professional writing track are strongly encouraged to minor in a discipline relevant to their professional interests.

Take these required courses:

ENGL 2211	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 2280	Grammar and Usage			3 cr
	  OR
ENGL 2281	Introduction to Language Studies	3 cr
ENGL 3311	Writing and Research About Literature	3 cr
ENGL 3307	Professional and Technical Writing	3 cr
ENGL 3308	Business Communications			3 cr
ENGL 4401	Advanced Composition and Prose Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 4410	Writing Internship			3 cr
PHIL 2201	Introduction to Logic			3 cr

Choose one of the following creative writing courses:

ENGL 2206	Creative Writing Workshop		3 cr
ENGL 3306	Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4406	Advanced Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr

Choose three of the following writing and media courses:

ENGL 4410	Writing Internship (3 further credits)	3 cr
MC 2215		Graphic Design				3 cr
	OR
MC 4415		Advanced Graphic Design			3 cr  
MC 2230		Introduction to Photography		3 cr
	OR
MC 4410		Advanced Photography			3 cr
MC 3325		Editing for Print Media			4 cr
MC 3327		Magazine Article Writing		3 cr
MC 3341		Introduction to Public Relations	3 cr
MC/MKTG 3355	Advertising Copywriting			3 cr
MC 4445		Editorial Writing			3 cr
COMM 4437	Rhetorical Theory			3 cr

Choose two of the following survey courses:

ENGL 2267	Survey of British Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2268	Survey of British Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2277	Survey of American Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2278	Survey of American Literature II	3 cr

Choose one of the following genre study courses:

ENGL 3321	Genre Studies in Drama			3 cr
ENGL 3322	Genre Studies in Poetry			3 cr
ENGL 3323	Genre Studies in Fiction		3 cr
ENGL 3324	Genre Studies in Non-Fiction		3 cr

PROFESSIONAL WRITING ENGLISH MAJOR TOTAL:              45 cr

Option 3—Creative Writing (45 credits)   

Note:  Students electing the creative writing option are strongly encouraged to consider a minor to broaden career options.

Required courses:

ENGL 2206	Introduction to Creative Writing	3 cr
ENGL 2211	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 2280	Grammar and Usage			3 cr
	    OR
ENGL 2281	Introduction to Language Studies	3 cr
ENGL 3306	Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4406	Advanced Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4494	Senior Seminar in Creative Writing	3 cr

Choose two of the following survey courses:

ENGL 2267	Survey of British Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2277	Survey of American Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2268	Survey of British Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2278	Survey of American Literature II	3 cr

Choose two of the following genre study courses:

ENGL 3321	Genre Studies in Drama			3 cr
ENGL 3322	Genre Studies in Poetry			3 cr
ENGL 3323	Genre Studies in Fiction		3 cr
ENGL 3324	Genre Studies in Non-Fiction		3 cr

Choose one of the following language study courses:

ENGL 4480	Varieties of American English		3 cr
ENGL 4481	Studies in Grammar			3 cr
ENGL 4484	Rotating Topics in Linguistics		3 cr
ENGL 4487	History of the English Language		3 cr
ENGL 4488	Introduction to Sociolinguistics	3 cr

Choose one of the following period courses:

ENGL 4461	Studies in Classical Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4462	Studies in Medieval Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4463	Studies in Renaissance Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4464	Studies in 
		  Seventeenth-century Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4465	Studies in 
		  Eighteenth-Century Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4466	Studies in 
		  Early Nineteenth-century Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4467	Studies in 
		  Late Nineteenth-century Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4468	Studies in
		  Early Twentieth-Century Literature	3 cr
ENGL 4469	Studies in Contemporary Literature	3 cr

Choose one of the following theme, identity, and performance studies courses:

ENGL 3305	Art of the Film II			3 cr
ENGL 3328	Gender in Literature			3 cr
ENGL 3356	Ethnicity in Literature			3 cr
ENGL 4470	Post-Colonial Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4489	American Indian Literature		3 cr
ENGL 4490	Folklore				3 cr
ENGL 4492	Folklore and Literature			3 cr

Choose one of the following advanced writing courses:

ENGL 4401	Advanced Composition and Prose Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 4406	Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
		  --in a different genre		3 cr
ENGL 4409	Literary Magazine Production		3 cr

CREATIVE WRITING ENGLISH MAJOR TOTAL:			45 cr

Minors in English

Many students take English courses as electives to enhance their studies in other areas or as preparation for professional work. The Department of English and Philosophy offers three minors in English—one general minor and two specialized minors in writing—for students who wish to receive recognition for substantial training in literature and writing. Lower division composition courses—ENGL 0090, 1101, and 1102—do not count toward completion of these minors.

Option 1—General

Twenty-one hours of credit in English, 12 of which must be in upper division courses, including either ENGL 3307 or ENGL 3311.

Option 2—Writing

Twenty-one hours of credit in English, including ENGL 2280 or 2281; 3301, and 4487, plus four other courses, of which at least two must be upper-division, from among the following courses: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107, 2206, 3306, 3307, 4401, 4406, 4481, 4484, and PHIL 2201.

Minor in English—Creative Writing (21 credits)

Required Courses:

ENGL 2206 	Introduction 
		to Creative Writing		3 cr
ENGL 2211	Introduction 
		to Literary Analysis		3 cr
ENGL 3306	Intermediate 
		Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4406	Advanced 
		Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4494 	Senior Seminar 
		in Creative Writing		3 cr

Choose one:

ENGL 2257	Survey of World Literature I	3 cr
ENGL 2267	Survey of British Literature I	3 cr
ENGL 2277	Survey of American Literature I	3 cr
ENGL 2258	Survey of World Literature II	3 cr
ENGL 2268	Survey of British Literature II	3 cr
ENGL 2278	Survey 
		of American Literature II	3 cr

Choose one upper-division elective                                                   3 cr

 

English Courses

Prerequisites and Standards

• Students must complete Goal 1 or its equivalent before enrolling in 2000-level ENGL courses.
• At least one semester of lower-division literature is prerequisite for 3000-level literature courses.
• To enroll in a 4000-level course, students must both complete all 2000-level English requirements (ENGL 2211, 2280/2081, and two Literature survey courses) and must have junior or senior standing.
• To graduate as an English major or with an English minor, a student must maintain at least a 2.25 grade point average in courses within the English curriculum.
• Some courses may have additional prerequisites.

ENGL 0090 Basic Writing 0 credits (3 credit equivalent). For students not meeting ENGL 1101 placement requirements. Prepares students for ENGL 1101 by addressing fundamentals at sentence, paragraph, and essay levels, with emphasis on student's own writing. Graded S/U. F, S, Su

ENGL 1100 Introduction to Academic Writing and Speaking for Non-Native Speakers of English 3 credits. Explores culture-based academic expectations and conventions in communication. Graded S/U. PREREQ: ISU admission; 500+ TOEFL or permission of department. F, S

ENGL 1101 English Composition 3 credits. Course in which students read, analyze and write expository essays for a variety of purposes consistent with expectations for college-level writing in standard edited English. F, S, Su, W

ENGL 1102 Critical Reading and Writing 3 credits. Writing essays based on readings. Focus on critical reading; research methods; gathering, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing ideas and evidence; documentation. PREREQ: ENGL 1101 or equivalent. Satisfies Goal 1 of the General Education Requirements when passed with at least a C- grade. F, S, Su

ENGL 1107 Nature of Language 3 credits. General survey of structure and use of language. Topics include language origins, descriptive and historical linguistics, language and culture, and history of the English language. Equvalent to ANTH 1107 and LANG 1107. S

ENGL 1110 Introduction to Literature 3 credits. Introduction to the critical reading of various literary genres, with attention to the interpretation and evaluation of representative texts. Satisfies Goal 7 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su

ENGL 1115 Major Themes in Literature 3 credits. Introduction to literature through the study of one or more major themes that cross historical and cultural boundaries. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different content. Satisfies Goal 7 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

ENGL 1126 Art of Film I 3 credits. Course examines the creative process, aesthetic principles and historical background of cinematic arts. Screening of representative films and examination of critical works and theories are included. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. S

ENGL 2206 Creative Writing Workshop 3 credits. Introduction to one or more forms of creative writing.  R1

ENGL 2211 Introduction to Literary Analysis 3 credits. Writing-intensive course. Teaches students how to perform close readings of poetry and prose. Introduces major theoretical approaches to literature. Includes orientation to finding and evaluating secondary criticism. PREREQ: English 1102 or equivalent. F, S

ENGL 2212 Introduction to Folklore/Oral Tradition 3 credits.  Folklore genres and folk groups, including introductory experience in folklore fieldwork focused on study of a genre or group of genres within verbal, customary, or material culture. Equvalent to ANTH 2212. R1

ENGL 2257 Survey of World Literature I (Beginnings through 16th Century) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective, with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. Satisfies Goal 7 of the General Education Requirements. R1

ENGL 2258 Survey of World Literature II (17th Century to Present) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective, with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. Satisfies Goal 7 of the General Education Requirements. R1

ENGL 2267 Survey of British Literature I (Beginnings through 18th Century) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective, with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. R1

ENGL 2268 Survey of British Literature II (19th Century to Present) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective, with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. R1

ENGL 2277 Survey of American Literature I (Beginnings to 1860) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds.  R1

ENGL 2278 Survey of American Literature II (1860 to present) 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds.  R1

ENGL 2280  Grammar and Usage  3 credits.  Introduction to the grammar of standard written English. The course is designed to give students an improved knowledge of grammar in order to improve usage and writing skills at both the sentence and paragraph level. S

ENGL 2281 Introduction to Language Studies 3 credits. Introduction to basic concepts and models for the study of English phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexis. F, S

ENGL 3305 Art of the Film II 3 credits. In-depth investigation of cinematic art with focus on one or more of the following: genre, historical development, aesthetics, criticism, social impact, and artists. Screening of representative films. PREREQ: ENGL 1126 or permission of department. D

ENGL 3306 Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop 3 credits. Advanced training in one or more of the forms of creative writing.  PREREQ: ENGL 2206 or equivalent. R1

ENGL 3307 Professional and Technical Writing 3 credits. An intensive course covering skills and conventions pertinent to writing in the professions, including technical writing. Applications in disciplines or subjects of interest to the individual student. Especially appropriate for science, engineering, and pre-professional majors. PREREQ: 45 credits and ENGL 1102. F, S

ENGL 3308 Business Communications 3 credits. An advanced course in conventions of business communications, emphasizing purpose and audience. Focus on style, semantics, research skills, format, persuasion, and critical analysis and synthesis of data. PREREQ: 60 credits and ENGL 1102. F, S, Su

ENGL 3311 Writing and Research About Literature 3 credits. Writing-intensive course with continued emphasis on close reading. Fosters independent work with criticism. Students first learn to identify courrent scholarly conversations on issues relevant to the course. Then, in longer essays, they position their own arguments in the context of these discussions.  PREREQ: 60 credits including ENGL 2211. F, S

ENGL 3321 Genre Studies in Drama 3 credits. Comparative study of selected plays through recognition of generic forms and conventions, their origins and continuing evolution, and their theoretical basis. R2

ENGL 3322 Genre Studies in Poetry 3 credits. Comparative study of selected poems through recognition of generic forms and conventions, their origins and continuing evolution, and their theoretical basis. Emphasis on lyric poetry. R2

ENGL 3323 Genre Studies in Fiction 3 credits. Comparative studies of varying forms and conventions in selected prose fiction, with attention to their origins, evolution, and theoretical basis. R2

ENGL 3324 Genre Studies in Non-Fiction 3 credits. Comparative study of varying forms and conventions in selected prose nonfiction, with attention to their origins, evolution, and theoretical basis. R2

ENGL 3327 Special Topics in Genre 3 credits. Focused study of a generic tradition modified by thematic or historical contexts, with emphasis on topics not regularly treated in ENGL 3321-ENGL 3324. D

ENGL 3328 Gender in Literature 3 credits. Considers the role of gender in literature, including issues of authorship, reader communities, and literary representations of women and men. R2

ENGL 3341 Bible as Literature 3 credits. Study of various types of literature found in the Bible, with a view of attaining greater knowledge of and appreciation for this aspect of the literary heritage. R2

ENGL 3348 Independent Problems 1-3 credits. Consultation course for upperclassmen interested in problems in language and literature not adequately covered by regular offerings. PREREQ: Permission of the department. D

ENGL 3353 The West in American Literature 3 credits. Survey of the literature of Western America since 1800. D

ENGL 3356 Ethnicity in Literature 3 credits. Study of the construction of ethnicity in literature, with attention to specific concerns relevant to one or more ethnic groups. R2

ENGL 3367 Language in the United States 3 credits. A survey of the languages of the United States (American Indian languages, immigrant languages, and ethnic and regional varieties of English) along with the social and political aspects of American language use. Equvalent to ANTH 3367. PREREQ: ANTH/LANG/ENGL 1107. D

ENGL 4401 Advanced Composition 3 credits. An advanced course in which students develop an independent style in writing such types of essays as the personal, biographical, argumentative, and critical. May contain prose analysis. PREREQ: ENGL 3301, ENGL 3307 or ENGL 3308. R2

ENGL 4406 Advanced Creative Writing Workshop 3 credits. Production and discussion of student writing. Study in a specific genre. May be repeated for up to 6 undergraduate credits. PREREQ: ENGL 3306 or  permission of instructor. R1  

ENGL 4409 Literary Magazine Production 3 credits. Hands-on experience in literary magazine production:  editing, proofreading, and design.  Strategies for screening and selecting stories, poems, and reviews. Consideration of the role of the small press in national literary culture. PREREQ:  ENGL 2206. S

ENGL 4410 Writing Internship 1-6 credits. On-the-job writing experience in business, industry, or government settings. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: 90 credits and ENGL 3307, ENGL 3308, or ENGL 3311. Graded S/U. F, S

ENGL 4431 Teaching and Writing Projects: Special Topics 3 credits. Aids teachers of all grade levels and all academic subjects in developing skills in teaching writing. Combines composition theory and practical classroom exercises with daily writing and critiques. D

ENGL 4433 Methods: Teaching English 3 credits. Study of the objectives and methods of teaching literature and composition in secondary schools. Ideally taken semester before student teaching. PREREQ: Goal 1, ENGL 2211, ENGL 2281, and 3 additional hours of English. F

ENGL 4440 Philosophy and Literature 3 credits. Reflections on the relation between poetic and speculative discourse. Topics include forms of consciousness, temporality and narrative, metaphysics of genre. Equvalent to PHIL 4440. R2

ENGL 4441 History of Literary Criticism 3 credits. Teaches about major theorists and debates that have influenced the interpretation of literature. Students read key theoretical texts. Courses may use a thematic or chronological approach. D

ENGL 4453 American Indian Literature 3 credits. Considers literary works by and about North American native people, especially in relationship to history, genre, and culture, including oral traditions. Equvalent to ANTH 4453. PREREQ: GOAL 1. R2 

ENGL 4455 Studies in National Literature 3 credits. Studies in important literatures and cultures not otherwise covered in the curriculum. May include literatures in translation and literature written in English outside of America and the British Isles. Equvalent to CMLT 4415. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different content. R3

ENGL 4456 Comparative Literature 3 credits. The analysis of ideas, problems, and techniques common to important writers of various national literatures. R3

ENGL 4461 Studies in Classical Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the classical Greek and Roman periods, especially in relationship to its cultural backgrounds. R3

ENGL 4462 Studies in Medieval Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the Middle Ages and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English literature. R2

ENGL 4463 Studies in Renaissance Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the Renaissance and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English literature. R2

ENGL 4464 Studies in Seventeenth-Century Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the seventeenth century and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4465 Studies in Eighteenth-Century Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the eighteenth century and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4466 Studies in Early Nineteenth-Century Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the early nineteenth century and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4467 Studies in Late Nineteenth-Century Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the late nineteenth century and its background, with emphasis upon the development of English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4468 Studies in Early Twentieth-Century Literature 3 credits. Study of the major literature of the early twentieth century and its background, with emphasis upon English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4469 Studies in Contemporary Literature 3 credits. Study of recent major literature and its background, with emphasis upon English or American or other literature of the period. R2

ENGL 4470 Post-Colonial Literature 3 credits. Study of post-colonial literary texts, with attention to the role of literature in history, political resistance, and social movements of one or more colonized cultures. R2

ENGL 4472 Proseminar in a Major Literary Figure 3 credits. Intensive study in a single major author other than Chaucer, Milton, and Shakespeare, demanding some independent study and small group participation. R1

ENGL 4473 Chaucer 3 credits. Intensive study of selected works of Chaucer. D

ENGL 4474 Milton 3 credits. Intensive study of selected works of Milton. D

ENGL 4476 Shakespeare 3 credits. Intensive study of selected works of Shakespeare. R1

ENGL 4477 Shakespeare in Performance 3 credits. Intensive study of selected works by Shakespeare, with special emphasis placed upon performance issues. Includes field trip to attend live dramatic productions of Shakespearian plays. D

ENGL 4480 Varieties of American English 3 credits. In-depth study of various dialects of American English, including historical evolution of different dialects, effects of migration on dialects, and influences of non-English immigrant languages on development of American English. Field-work studying the Snake River dialects of Idaho. Equvalent to ANTH 4480. PREREQ: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107. D

ENGL 4481 Studies In Grammar 3 credits. The advanced study of English grammar. Possible theoretical approaches might include generative grammar, functional grammar, relational grammar, and communicative grammar. PREREQ: ENGL 2280. R2

ENGL 4484 Rotating Topics in Linguistics 3 credits. Rotating topics in different areas of linguistics  and linguistic analysis. Consult current schedule of classes for exact course being taught. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Equivalent to ENGL 4484 and LANG 4484. PREREQ: ANTH/LANG/ENGL 1107 or ENGL 2280 or ENGL 2281. D

ENGL 4486 Old English 3 credits. Intensive study of the Old English language, with attention to its intrinsic structure and its relation to Middle and Modern English. R2

ENGL 4487 History of the English Language 3 credits. Study of the linguistic and socio-political changes and developments in the English language. PREREQ: ENGL 2280 or ENGL 2281. R2

ENGL 4488 Introduction to Socio-linguistics 3 credits. Study of the patterned covariation of language and society, social dialects and social styles in language; problems of bilingualism, multilingualism creoles and language uses. Equvalent to ANTH 4450.  PREREQ: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107; ENGL 2280 or ENGL 2281, or permission of instructor. F

ENGL 4490 Topics in Folklore 3 credits. Focused study of an issue in folkloristics or a particular genre of folklore, including history of the scholarship concerning that issue or genre. Rotating topics. May be repeated up to 9 credits with different topics. Equvalent to ANTH 4490. R1

ENGL 4491 Senior Seminar in Literature 3 credits. Students demonstrate their reading and research skills in this capstone course. Within instructor's chosen theme, students develop a cumulative research project including a substantial paper and oral presentation. PREREQ: ENGL 3311 and 6 additional hours of upper-division English.  F, S

ENGL 4492 Folklore and Literature 3 credits. Study of cross-influences between oral and written literatures. Emphasis may be on a written genre that imitates and draws upon oral genres, a movement or period in which oral tradition strongly influences written forms, or a particular writer who incorporates motifs and storytelling patterns from folklore. Rotating topics. May be repeated for up to 9 credits. R2

ENGL 4494 Senior Seminar in Creative Writing 3 credits. Capstone course suitable for students working in any creative writing genre. Each student will compile in advance a reading list and project outline in consultation with instructor. During course, the student will complete a substantial creative writing project and give a presentation. Instructor will also assign class-wide readings, some from each student's list. Workshop-based. PREREQ: ENGL 4406 and permission of instructor. R1 S

ENGL 4497 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshop aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D

 

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Students who wish to major in philosophy should select either the traditional major or the major with a Pre-law Emphasis. In addition to University General Education equirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree, students wishing to major in Philosophy will follow the curriculum listed below.  

Students wishing to earn a Minor in this department may choose among a Minor in Ethics, a Minor in Philosophy, and a Minor in Philosophy and Religion.

Option 1 - Traditional Major

Required courses:

 PHIL 2201	Introduction to Logic			3 cr
 PHIL 3305	History of Philosophy: Greek
		  Reason and Christian Faith		3 cr
 PHIL 3315	History of Philosophy: Early Modern
		  Philosophy				3 cr
 PHIL 4450	Ethical Theory				3 cr
 PHIL 4460	Theory of Knowledge			3 cr
 PHIL 4492	Senior Tutorial				3 cr
 
 Plus 12  additional hours of philosophy electives.

Option 2 - Pre-law Emphasis

 PHIL 2201	Introduction to Logic			3 cr
 PHIL 3305	History of Philosophy: Greek
		  Reason and Christian Faith		3 cr
 PHIL 3353	Philosophy of Law			3 cr
 PHIL 4450	Ethical Theory				3 cr
 PHIL 4460	Theory of Knowledge			3 cr
 PHIL 4492	Senior Tutorial				3 cr
 
 Plus one course from the following:
 PHIL 3355	Political and Social Philosophy         3 cr
 POLS 3313	Introduction to Political Philosophy    3 cr
 POLS 3318	Topics in Political Theory              3 cr
 POLS 4420	Contemporary Political Theory           3 cr
 
 Plus one course from the following:
 POLS 2249	Introduction to Criminal Law            3 cr 
 POLS 3342	American Legal System                   3 cr 
 POLS 3345	Jurisprudence                           3 cr
 POLS 4442	Constitutional Law                      3 cr
 POLS 4443	Constitutional Law                      3 cr
 
 Plus six additional hours of philosophy electives. 

Minor in Ethics

Required courses: eighteen semester-hours of philosophy courses, including

PHIL 4450	Ethical Theory				3 cr

and at least two of the following:

PHIL 2220	Philosophical Issues in Religion	3 cr
PHIL 2230	Bioethics				3 cr
PHIL 3353	Philosophy of Law			3 cr
PHIL 3355	Political and Social Philosophy		3 cr

Minor in Philosophy

Required courses: any eighteen semester-hours in philosophy courses.

Minor in Philosophy and Religion

Eighteen semester-hours of philosophy courses, including two of:

PHIL 2210	Introduction to Asian Philosophy	3 cr
PHIL 2220	Philosophical Issues in Religion	3 cr
PHIL 2225	Philosophy and the Old Testament	3 cr
PHIL 4425	Existentialism				3 cr

Plus one of the following:

HIST 2252	East Asian History			3 cr
HIST 2254	Middle Eastern Civilization		3 cr
SOC 3368	The Sociology of Religion		3 cr

Philosophy Courses

PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy 3 credits. An introduction to the major thinkers and major problems in Western philosophical and scientific traditions. Sections may emphasize either an historical or a problems approach. Satisfies Goal 8 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su

PHIL 1103 Introduction to Ethics  3 credits.  An introduction to philosophy through an analytical and historical study of major ethical theories.  The course will focus on the basis of judgments and reasoning concerning questions of good and bad, right and wrong. Satisfies Goal 8 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su

PHIL 2201 Introduction to Logic 3 credits. An introduction to the concepts and methods of deductive and inductive logic, with special emphasis on the use of logical methods to identify, analyze, construct, and evaluate everyday arguments. R1

PHIL 2210 Introduction to Asian Philosophies 3 credits. A study of Hindu, Buddhist, and other Far Eastern approaches to topics such as immortality, time, reality, mystical experience, the divinity of the soul, the question of duty. Emphasis varies. R2

PHIL 2220 Philosophical Issues in Religion 3 credits. An inquiry into the nature of religious belief, the concept of God, rational proofs of the existence of God, the religious experience, the concept of faith, the character of religious language, the meaning of myths and symbols, and the question of modern atheism. R2

PHIL 2225 Philosophy and the Old Testament 3 credits. Discussion of Hebrew Scripture, with emphasis on the narrative material in the Pentateuch. Commentaries drawn from classical and contemporary philosophy, theology, and literary theory. D

PHIL 2230 Medical Ethics 3 credits. An examination of ethical issues that arise in medical practice and biotechnology. Topics may include informed consent, withdrawing life sustaining treatment, abortion, assisted suicide, and the allocation of scarce resources. F, S, Su

PHIL 3305 History of Philosophy: Greek Reason and Christian Faith 3 credits. Philosophical readings from the pre-Socratics to St. Thomas Aquinas. Topics include the theory of essence, human nature and happiness, the problem of evil, the relation of reason and faith. R2

PHIL 3315 History of Philosophy: Early Modern Philosophy 3 credits. Readings in philosophy from Descartes to Kant.  Rationalist and empiricist answers to questions concerning the source and scope of human knowledge. R2

PHIL 3325 History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophical Movements 3 credits. Readings in philosophy of the 19th and 20th centuries. Organized to illuminate the development of particular schools of thought, including existentialism, pragmatism, phenomenology, analytic philosophy, and Marxism. Emphasis varies. D

PHIL 3353 Philosophy of Law 3 credits. An investigation of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to law and a variety of philosophical problems that arise with respect to the law. Topics include natural law theory, legal positivism, legal realism, Constitutional interpretation, theory of punishment, and civil liberties. R2

PHIL 3355 Political and Social Philosophy 3 credits. Questions concerning social justice as discussed by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hegel, Marx and others. D

PHIL 4400 Philosophy of Art 3 credits. Study of philosophic problems encountered in perceiving, interpreting, and evaluating works of art. Topics include the nature of a work of art, aesthetic response, expression, symbol; the nature and role of representation; the nature of interpretive and evaluative claims. R2

PHIL 4410 Philosophy of Language 3 credits. Study of theories of language, with emphasis on contemporary thinkers such as Frege, Heidegger, Russell, Wittgenstein, Piaget, and Chomsky. Topics include the nature and origin of meaning, the temporal dimension of discourse, the significance of syntax, animal languages, computer languages. D

PHIL 4420 Philosophy of Mind 3 credits. Inquiry into the mind-body problem and representative solutions, such as dualism, philosophical behaviorism, central-state materialism. Related topics include the self, personal identity, immortality, claims of parapsychology, mystical consciousness. R2

PHIL 4425 Existentialism 3 credits.  A survey of major works of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus.  Topics may include the origins of values, the death of God, the varieties of despair, the inevitability of love's failure and the absurdity of life. R2

PHIL 4430 Philosophy of Science 3 credits. A survey of the philosophical issues related to science.  Topics include the nature of scientific theories, science and non-science, scientific explanation and causation, realism and anti-realism in science, and scientific revolutions. R2

PHIL 4435 Metaphysics 3 credits. A study of some of the main questions of metaphysics, including such topics as being, substance, universals, space and time, appearance and reality, identity, freewill and determinism, causality and the nature and possibility of metaphysics itself. D

PHIL 4440 Philosophy and Literature 3 credits. Reflections on the relation between poetic and speculative discourse. Topics include forms of consciousness, temporality and narrative, metaphysics of genre. Equvalent to ENGL 4440. D

PHIL 4450 Ethical Theory 3 credits. Study of the nature of value claims, stressing ethical value claims; examination of the scope of reason in ethical decision-making. Applications to normative ethical theories. Related topics include human rights, justice, ethical and legal systems. R2

PHIL 4460 Theory of Knowledge 3 credits. A survey of topics in epistemology such as the nature of knowledge, the problem of skepticism, and the nature of justification.  Various claims about the sources of knowledge, and accounts of a priori knowledge and truth will also be considered.  Readings from classical and contemporary sources. R2

PHIL 4470 Symbolic Logics and Foundations of Mathematics 3 credits. A comprehensive study of formal methods of determining validity and of systems of symbolic logic, with attention to the philosophy of logic and the relationship between logic and mathematics. D

PHIL 4480 Philosophy Tutorial 2 credits. Consultation course for seniors interested in a philosophical problem connected with their major field. Will consist of independent reading, conferences, and the preparation of a term paper. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. F, S

PHIL 4490 Philosophy Seminar 1-3 credits. Advanced reading and discussion on selected topics in philosophy. May be repeated with permission of the department. D

PHIL 4492 Senior Tutorial 3 credits. A culminating course for senior majors. Directed research resulting in a senior thesis, to be evaluated by the philosophy faculty. PREREQ: 90 credits and permission of the Director of Philosophy. S

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2012