Course Descriptions

Courses numbered 1000-1999 are open to freshmen; 2000-2999 to sophomores; 3000-3999 to juniors; 4000-4999 to seniors. It is recommended that students elect courses in the years for which they are listed. Freshmen will be admitted to courses above the 2000 level only with the consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Juniors and seniors taking freshman courses may be expected to do additional work. Any course above 4999 is a graduate course.

NOTE:
The number in parentheses following the course title indicates the semester hours of credit assigned to the course.
An H following the course number indicates an honors level course.

LITR 1010
Introduction to Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course acquaints students with major literary genres such as fiction, drama, and poetry. LITR 1010 does not count toward the English or Adolescence English major and should not be taken by students in those programs. (Counts toward General Education LITR requirement)

LITR 2010
English Literature I [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
The first of a two-part sequence, this course provides a chronological overview of English literature from its beginnings to the Restoration of 1660. A goal of both LITR 2010 and 2020 is to familiarize students with the historical development of the ideas, styles, genres, and cultures embodied in English literature. (Counts toward General Education LITR requirement) Offered alternate years.

LITR 2020
English Literature II [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
The second of a two-part survey, this course explores English literature through three consecutive periods: Restoration and Eighteenth-Century, Romantic, and Victorian. A goal of both LITR 2010 and 2020 is to familiarize students with the historical development of the ideas, styles, genres, and cultures embodied in English literature. (Counts toward General Education LITR requirement) Offered alternate years.

LITR 2040
American Literature I [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
The first of a two-part survey, this course explores American literature from its beginnings to the mid-nineteenth century, introducing students to representative authors and key texts and helping them to build historical and cultural context for those authors and texts (counts toward General Education LITR requirement); offered alternate years

LITR 2050
American Literature II [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
The second of a two-part survey, this course explores American literature from the mid- nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century, introducing students to representative authors and key texts and helping them to build historical and cultural contexts for these authors and texts (Counts towards General Education LITR requirement); offered alternate years

LITR 2070
World Literature I [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This is a course of selected readings in the literature of the world from antiquity to the seventeenth century. Though emphasis is placed on works in the Western tradition (excluding English and American texts), the course also includes a broad selection of texts from non-Western cultures, such as those of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.(Counts toward General Education LITR requirement); offered alternate years

LITR 2080
World Literature II [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course explores literature from the past two centuries across five continents—Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Texts originally composed in Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Zuni are read and discussed, opening up questions about faith and meaning, creation and mechanization, and the individual and society. (Counts towards General Education LITR requirement; offered alternate years)

LITR 3000
Special Topics in Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
Special Topics is an upper-level seminar designed for English majors and students from other disciplines interested in the pursuit of specified authors and topics. Such a course enables students to explore literary concerns that are not a part of the department’s regular offerings. Examples include First Contacts in the Americas and African Novel. (May be repeated if topic differs; offered alternate years)

LITR 3020
Chaucer & His Contemporaries [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
The course provides a study of medieval English literature from Anglo-Saxon times through 1500, with special emphasis on Chaucer. Aims include perception of the historical reference of the early writers; a knowledge of medieval life, ideas, manners, and customs; and a finer appreciation of the English language. (Offered on demand)

LITR 3030
Major Author:Shakespeare [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course introduces students to careful study of selected play and poems of William Shakespeare. Significant emphasis is placed on historical and cultural contexts, and some time is devoted to considering critical and theoretical approaches. This class may also view films and live performances.

LITR 3040
Short Story [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course traces the growth and development of one of the finest Christian poets in English. In addition to reading minor poems such as “Lycidas” and “Comus,” students will read and discuss all the major poems, including Paradise is Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes. (Offered on demand)

LITR 3050
Major Author: Milton [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course traces the growth and development of one of the finest Christian poets in English. In addition to reading minor poems such as "Lycidas" and "Comus," students will read and discuss all the major poems, including "Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes." (Offered on demand)

LITR 3060
Eighteenth Century Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course is a study of literature of the Augustan age with emphasis on Dryden, Pope, Swift, Addison, Steele, and Johnson. (Offered on demand)

LITR 3070
Literary Theory and Criticism [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course introduces students to literary theory, both surveying major statements about poetry such as those by Plato and Aristotle and by focusing on sample critical schools such as those of Marxism and feminism. (Offered alternate years)

LITR 3080
Nineteenth Century Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course is a survey of selected major English writers of the Romantic and Victorian periods. Among those included are Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Arnold, and Browning. Emphasis is placed on major themes in nineteenth century literature and life. (Offered on demand)

LITR 3090
Novel [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course explores an important literary genre—the novel. Included are representative English authors of the nineteenth century, such as Austen, Bronte, Dickens, and Eliot. The course considers not only the development of their classic works, but also the historical background of the genre and period. Relevant critical material is also studied. (Offered alternate years)

LITR 3120
Major Author: Rotation [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course explores in depth work of a major writer in English. Featured authors are rotated and are chosen by the instructors. Examples include Jane Austen and Henry David Thoreau. (May be repeated if topic differs; offered alternate years)

LITR 3140
Children's Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course explores a variety of books written for children. The principal goals of the course are to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of well-written children’s books and to help students recognize the value of such works as literature. (Not open to first-year students)

LITR 3150
Adolescent Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course examines fiction written for and about youth (readers between the age of 12 and 18). Books that represent a variety of genres within this field are studied. Relevant critical material is also examined. (Offered alternate years)

LITR 3610
Literature for Adolescence Teachers [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
To ensure each student seeking certification in Students with Disabilities 7-12 has 6 hours of English Language Arts content and linked pedagogical skills, this course will introduce students to the various kinds of writings that adolescents read on their own and in the classroom. It includes instructional strategies for teaching to the goals and content of the New York State learning standards for English Language arts, including preparation and use of materials used to teach adolescents to read and listen to oral, written and electronic texts, how to relate these texts to their own lives and to develop an understanding of the social, historical and cultural dimensions the texts represent. This is a five week course open only to Junior and Senior Education majors.

LITR 4020
Early Twentieth Century Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course focuses on major writers from the turn of the century to the middle of the century. Key writers may include Woolf, Joyce, Forster, and Camus. (Offered on demand)

LITR 4030
Contemporary Literature [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course examines literature of the past few decades and seeks to develop Christian perspectives on contemporary literature and culture. (Offered alternate years)

LITR 4950
Independent Study in Literature [Course] (1 - 3) (Liberal Arts)
Independent study provides opportunity to pursue advanced or special-interest topics not covered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: 1. Junior standing. 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the Independent Study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the department in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the Department Chair, the School Dean, and the Registrar.