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 Program
The Department of English and Philosophy offers broad curricula in
English studies which 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. Beyond contributing to students’
general education and the personal enrichment and fulfillment of
students in all disciplines, courses in the English programs lead to
Bachelor’s degrees as well as a range of minors. After graduation
English students are prepared to embark upon a variety of careers
which demand broad, liberal arts perspectives, and strong
observational, fact-finding, analytical, and communications skills.
As such, the Department has articulated the following goals and student
learning outcomes for students at the undergraduate level.
Mission and Goals
Undergraduate English programs in the Department of English and
Philosophy provide students wishing to pursue a liberal arts education
training in the study of language, literature, writing, and culture.
Such training will provide students with strong communication skills,
an ability to gather information and use it critically, an
understanding of the function of language within the culture, and a
historical and critical understanding of the role literature plays
within the human experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Undergraduate English students will
write in a variety of modes and genres suitable to the demands of the
given rhetorical situation.
2. Undergraduate English students will formulate
research problems, do effective research, and incorporate the results
of their research into their own writing.
3. Undergraduate English students will read
effectively and analyze critically literary texts and will understand
the theoretical underpinnings of this process.
4. Undergraduate English students will understand the
significance of texts within their historical and cultural
contexts.
5. Undergraduate English students will understand
language as a medium of common linguistic principles; they will
understand the relationship of these linguistic principles to
communication and expression.
Bachelor of Arts In English
Students who wish to major in English
will select the
Literary 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,
and 1102).
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 Prose Fiction 3 cr
ENGL 3324 Genre Studies in Prose 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:
ENGL 4481 Studies in Grammar 3 cr
ENGL 4484 Special Topics in Linguistics 3 cr
ENGL 4485 Linguistic Analysis 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 3307 Professional and Technical Writing 3 cr
ENGL 3308 Business Communications 3 cr
ENGL 3311 Writing and Research About Literature 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 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 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.
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.
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 2206 Creative Writing Workshop 3 cr
ENGL 3306 Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop 3 cr
ENGL 3311 Writing and Research About Literature 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
Choose one of the following professional writing courses:
ENGL 3307 Professional and Technical Writing 3 cr
ENGL 3308 Business Communications 3 cr
Choose one of the following language studies courses:
ENGL 4481 Studies in Grammar 3 cr
ENGL 4485 Linguistic Analysis 3 cr
ENGL 4487 History of the English Language 3 cr
Choose two (at least one upper division) of the following
humanities courses:
ART 4422 World Arts 3 cr
OR
ART 4423 Nineteenth Century Art 3 cr
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 Topics in 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
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 Prose Fiction 3 cr
ENGL 3324 Genre Studies in Prose Non-Fiction 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.
Minor in English: General
Twenty-one hours of credit in English, 12 of which must be in upper
division courses, including either ENGL 3307 or ENGL 3311.
Minor in English: Writing
Twenty-one hours of credit in English, including ENGL 2280 or 2281;
3311, and 4487, plus four other courses, of which at least two must be
upper-division, from among the following courses: ENGL 1107, 2206,
3306, 3307, 4401, 4406, 4481, 4485, 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 Lit II 3 cr
Choose one upper-division elective 3 cr
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
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.
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. 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
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. Satisfies Goal 1 of the General Education Requirements
when passed with at least a C- grade. PREREQ: ENGL 1101 or equivalent.
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 department. 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. 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 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 instructor. D
ENGL 3306 Intermediate 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 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 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 current 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 3321-3324. 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 3307, ENGL 3308, or ENGL 3311. R2
ENGL 4406 Advanced Creative Writing Workshop 3 credits. Production
and discussion of student writing. Study in a specific genre.
Undergraduate course may be repeated for up to 6 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 and ENGL 2281, plus 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 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. Course 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.
Cross-listed as ANTH 4453. PREREQ: Goal 1. R2
ENGL 4455 Studies in National Literatures 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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. Cross-listed as ANTH 4480. PREREQ: ANTH/ENGL/LANG 1107 or ENGL
2280 or ENGL 2281. 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 or ENGL 2280 or ENGL 2281. 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. PREREQ: ENGL 2280 or ENGL 2281. R2
ENGL 4488 Introduction to Sociolinguistics 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
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. 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
Philosophy Program
The Philosophy Program offers courses on the history of philosophy,
philosophical issues, and the cognitive skills required in philosophy.
These offer students a deeper understanding of our past and our place
in the world, as well as helping them to develop analytic and writing
skills that are valuable in all disciplines. Students take either
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1101) or Introduction to Ethics (PHIL
1103) to meet General Education Requirement Goal 8. The Philosophy
Program offers a Bachelor’s degree and a minor to our
undergraduate
students. After graduation, philosophy students are well prepared to
enter law school or graduate degree programs, or to pursue careers that
require strong analytical and writing skills.
Mission and Goals:
The Philosophy Program provides students pursuing a liberal arts
education training in the history of philosophy, philosophical issues,
and the analytic skills required in philosophy. This training will
provide students with strong analytical and writing skills, the ability
to read philosophical texts critically, the ability to formulate and
defend philosophical positions, and a grasp of the historical context
and broader implications of philosophical positions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Undergraduate Philosophy students will
be able to write clear, organized, and grammatically correct prose.
2. Students will be able to read philosophical texts
critically.
3. Students will be able to formulate a clear and
substantive position regarding a major philosophical problem.
4. Students will be able to develop cogent arguments
in support of
that position, and to recognize and criticize the strongest arguments
against it.
5. Students will be aware of major
philosophers’ arguments relevant to that position.
6. Students will be aware of the larger historical
and intellectual context of the problem addressed.
7. Students will be aware of the broader implications
of the position embraced.
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 interested in coursework with an
ethics or religion perspective should consult with departmental
advisors.
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
Required courses:
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 4418 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 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
A minor in philosophy is recommended for students seeking a liberal
arts education. Required courses for the minor: any eighteen
semester-hour credits elected from the philosophy curriculum.
Minor in Philosophy and Religion
Eighteen semester-hours of philosophy 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.
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 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 Logic 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.
