Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2010-2011

Department of English and Philosophy

Chair and Professor:  M. Johnson
Director of Philosophy and Professor: Wahl
Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor: Winston
Director of Composition and Associate Professor:  Hellwig
Director of American Studies Program and Associate Professor: J. Adkison
Professors: B. Attebery, J. Attebery, Baergen, Levenson, Schmidt, Swetnam, Westphal
Associate Professors: J. Adkison, S. Adkison, Engebretsen, A. Johnson, Klein, Launspach, Montgomery, Skidmore, Whitaker
Assistant Professors: Goslee, Petit, Shutters, Wolter
Visiting Assistant Professor: Pelletti
Senior Lecturers: Flanigan, Norton, Pfister
Associate Lecturers: Dodd, Donovan, Hall, S. Johnson, Lattin, McCurdy, Reedy, Schultz Hurst
Assistant Lecturers: Blair, Eckert
Visiting Assistant Lecturer: Hardy
Adjunct Faculty: J.H. Levenson, Morris
Emeriti: Cantrill, Goldbeck, Huck, Jacob, Jensen, Kijinski, K. King, W. King, Mullin, Myers, Schow, Smith, Tate, D. Walsh, M. E. Walsh

See Faculty Information   
See Departmental Overview   
See Department Web Page   
See Degree Options in English   
including Prerequisites and Standards   
See Minors in English   
See English Courses   
See Associate of Arts in English   
See Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy   
See Minors in Philosophy   
See 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 A.A., 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.

Bachelor of Arts In English

Students who wish to major in English will select the General Option, Professional Writing Option, or Creative Writing Option. Each option requires completion of 45 semester hours as specified (excluding lower division composition courses—ENGL 0090, 1101, 1103, 1105, 1102).

Option 1-General

Category I—Literature (27 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2211       Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 4491       Senior Seminar				3 cr

Plus two courses from the following, one of which must be from 2267/2268 or 2277/2278:

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

Plus one course from the following:

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

Plus two courses from the following:

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

Plus one course from the following:

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

Plus one course from the following:

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

Category II—Language Studies (6 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2280 	Grammar and Usage 			3 cr
 OR
ENGL 2281       Introduction to Language Studies	3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 4481       Studies in Grammar			3 cr
ENGL 4485       Linguistic Analysis			3 cr
ENGL 4486       Old English				3 cr
ENGL 4487       History of the English Language		3 cr

Category III—Writing (3 credits)

Required:

ENGL 3301        Writing About Literature		3 cr

Category IV—Electives (9 credits)

An additional 9 credits of English, of which at least 6 credits must be in upper-division courses.

GENERAL 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.

Category I—Composition and Communication (33 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2280 	Grammar and Usage			3 cr
 	   OR
ENGL 2281 	Introduction to Language Studies	3 cr
ENGL 3301       Writing 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

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 2206       Creative Writing Workshop		3 cr
ENGL 3306       Creative Writing Workshop		3 cr
ENGL 4406       Advanced Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 2280       Grammar and Usage       		3 cr
ENGL 2281 	Introduction to Language Studies 	3 cr

Plus three courses from the following:

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 3355         Advertising Copywriting			3 cr
MC 4445         Editorial Writing			3 cr
SPCH 4437       Rhetorical Theory			3 cr

Category II—Literature (12 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2211       Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 2257       Survey of World Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2267       Survey of English Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2277       Survey of American Literature I		3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 2258       Survey of World Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2268       Survey of English Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2278       Survey of American Literature II 	3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

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

PROFESSIONAL WRITING ENGLISH MAJOR TOTAL:		45 cr

Option 3—Creative Writing

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

Category I—Composition and Communication (33 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2280 	Grammar and Usage 			3 cr
 	   OR
ENGL 2281 	Introduction to Language Studies 3 cr
ENGL 2206       Creative Writing Workshop		3 cr
ENGL 3301       Writing About Literature		3 cr
ENGL 3306       Creative Writing Workshop		3 cr
ENGL 4401       Advanced Composition and Prose Analysis	3 cr
ENGL 4406       Advanced Creative Writing Workshop	3 cr
ENGL 4448 	Senior Creative Project 		3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 3307       Professional and Technical Writing	3 cr
ENGL 3308       Business Communications			3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 4481       Studies in Grammar			3 cr
ENGL 4485       Linguistic Analysis			3 cr
ENGL 4487       History of the English Language		3 cr

Plus two courses (at least one upper division) from the following:

ART 4422        World Arts				3 cr
           OR
ART 4423        Nineteenth Century Art			3 cr
           OR
ART 4424        Twentieth Century Art			3 cr
           OR
ART 4425        Contemporary Art Forms			3 cr
ENGL 2212       Introduction to Folklore		3 cr
           OR
ENGL 4490       Folklore				3 cr
ENGL 3305       Art of the Film II			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 3300         Television Production			3 cr
MC 3327         Magazine Article Writing		3 cr
THEA 2251       Beginning Acting			3 cr
           OR
THEA 2252       Intermediate Acting			3 cr

Category II—Literature (12 credits)

Required:

ENGL 2211       Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 2257       Survey of World Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2267       Survey of English Literature I		3 cr
ENGL 2277       Survey of American Literature I		3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

ENGL 2258       Survey of World Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2268       Survey of English Literature II		3 cr
ENGL 2278       Survey of American Literature II	3 cr

Plus one course from the following:

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

CREATIVE WRITING ENGLISH MAJOR TOTAL:			45 cr

Each student in this option will be assigned a major advisor and a committee composed of members of the creative writing program. This committee will be responsible for evaluating the student's creative project in the genre of the student's choice. In addition, each student will be required to present the project material in public performance, as appropriate, to the community at large.

Prerequisites and Standards

To enroll in 2000-level English courses, students must have satisfied Goal 1 (ENGL 1101 and 1102). 

To enroll in 3000-level literature courses, students must have completed either English 2211 or a 2000-level literature survey course (ENGL 2257/8, 2267/8, 2277/8). 

To enroll in 4000-level courses, students must have completed all 2000-level English requirements (ENGL 2211, 2280/1, and two English literature survey courses) and have junior or senior standing.

To graduate as an English major or minor, students must maintain at least a 2.25 grade point average in courses within the English curriculum.

Some courses may have additional prerequisites.

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, 1102, and 1105—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 3301 or ENGL 3307.

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, 4485, PHIL 2201.

Option 3—Creative Writing

A minimum of twenty-one (21) hours of credit in English, including at least one of the following courses: ENGL 2206, 3306, or 4406; twelve (12) credits must be earned in upper-division courses, three  (3) of which must be from ENGL 4448 Senior Creative Writing Project.

Associate of Arts in English

Students seeking an Associate of Arts degree in English must complete the following:

All of the General Education Goals (10A and 10B) 37-52* cr
ENGL 1101       English Composition			3 cr 
ENGL 1102       Critical Reading and Writing		3 cr 
ENGL 2211       Introduction to Literary Analysis	3 cr 
ENGL 2280       Grammar and Usage               	3 cr 

Three of these: 
ENGL 2267       Survey of English Literature I		3 cr 
ENGL 2268       Survey of English Literature II		3 cr 
ENGL 2277       Survey of American Literature I		3 cr 
ENGL 2278       Survey of American Literature II	3 cr 
Two additional 3-credit English courses 
(these may include courses from the above list but 
may not include lower division composition courses)	6 cr 
Electives to bring total to 64 cr                   variable 
                                                TOTAL: 64 cr 
                  
* The number of credits required for the General Education 
  requirements varies depending on the student's performance 
  on proficiency or placement tests in English, foreign 
  languages, and mathematics.

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.

 

English Courses

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. Cross-listed as 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. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with permission of the department. R1

ENGL 2211 Introduction to Literary Analysis 3 credits. Introduction to major critical and theoretical approaches to literature.  Includes close reading of various literary forms and reading of critical or theoretical works.  Students engage in a variety of writing tasks.  Students will be introduced to the use of secondary sources in writing and to MLA documentation style.  PREREQ:  ENGL 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. Cross-listed as 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 English 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 English 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 3301 Writing About Literature 3 credits. Academic discourse in English Studies.  Students read examples of secondary essays, practice writing for an academic audience, and develop longer essays and more complex issues in writing.  PREREQ: 60 credits including ENGL 2211. 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 Creative Writing Workshop 3 credits. Advanced training in one or more of the forms of creative writing. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with permission of the department. 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 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 Prose 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 Prose 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. Cross-listed as 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 with emphasis on longer works. May be repeated for up to 6 undergraduate credits. PREREQ: ENGL 3306 or  permission of instructor. R1

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 3301, ENGL 3307, or ENGL 3308. 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. Cross-listed as PHIL 4440. R2

ENGL 4448 Senior Creative Project 3 credits. Consultation course for creative writing majors and minors.  The student produces and revises a substantial body of creative writing, reads relevant texts, writes a critical essay, and gives a public reading. 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. Cross-listed as 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. Cross-listed as 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 2 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. Cross-listed as ANTH 4480. PREREQ: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107. D

ENGL 4481 Studies In Grammar 3 credits. Focus on the study of transformational-generative grammar and its application to sentence level problems. PREREQ: ENGL 2280. R2

ENGL 4484 Special Topics in Linguistics 3 credits. Rotating topics in different areas of linguistics. Consult current schedule of classes for exact course being taught. Cross-listed as ANTH 4484 and LANG 4484. PREREQ: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107. D

ENGL 4485 Linguistic Analysis 3 credits. Advanced topics course in the techniques of language analysis. Examples are phonology and morphology, semantics, or rhetorical grammar. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: ENGL 2281. R2

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. 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. Cross-listed as 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. Cross-listed as ANTH 4490. R1

ENGL 4491 Senior Seminar 3 credits. A seminar which exposes students to a range of critical and theoretical approaches to literature. Students formulate research problems and incorporate the results of their research into their own writing.  Among the course requirements are a seminar paper and an oral presentation.  PREREQ: ENGL 3301 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

 

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: Rationalism
		  and Empiricism			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 Bioethics 3 credits. An examination of ethical issues that arise in medical practice and biotechnology. Includes an overview of ethical theories and principles. 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: Rationalism and Empiricism 3 credits. Readings in philosophy from Descartes to Hegel. Emphasis on the question of the limits of human knowledge. D

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 critical analysis of the philosophical presuppositions of the empirical sciences, with attention given to the wider expressions of these presuppositions in contemporary life. 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. Cross-listed as 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 reflections on the question, "What, if anything, can we know?" Topics include knowing, believing, meaning, truth, and certainty. 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: July 2010