Undergraduate English Courses

Welcome to the English Department for fall, 2003. Here are our courses, ranging from the rich comedy of Chaucer in the 14^th century to the exhilarating literature of science and science fiction in the 21^st (and beyond).

Notice that this fall we are offering four sections – count ‘em – of English 301, Criticism, a basic and crucial introduction to the close reading of novels, poems and (sometimes) plays, but also to the connection between reading, writing and critical theory. Once upon a time, critical theory didn’t matter because all theory was just close reading; things are different now, and reading and theorizing in an immense variety of ways are intimately connected: the reading and writing that you do may well be determined by the theories you start with, or, as the physicist Richard Feynman used to say, the better your tool kit, the better your science.

Again, I’d like to call special attention to recent members of the department and their course offerings: Professor Hershini Bhana Young’s Literature and Gender (English 385), Professor Andrew Stott’s, Shakespeare (English 309), Professor Myung Mi Kim’s American Poetry (English 339), Professor Scott Stevens’ Renaissance Literature (English 311) (with an innovative force—look at his description), and Professor Ruth Mack’s 18^th century literature (English 319). These new instructors come to us with reputations as superb teachers; reports from our own students last year confirm this high praise.

In addition, long-time faculty members are offering interesting courses in their own special areas. Among these I’d single out just a few – Professor Barbara Bono’s Teaching Shakespeare (English 414), Professor James Holstun’s Literature and Society (English 383), Professor James Swan’s Literature and Psychology (English 367) and Professor Howard Wolf’s Literary Journalism (English 397). I’d be remiss if I didn’t note as well courses taught in other departments that are cross-listed with English, notably the two courses in the Sound System of English (English 465), taught by Professor Michelson, and in Grammar and the Lexicon, taught by Professor Hoeing. If you think you might teach English abroad, these would be important courses to add to your schedule. And if you think of teaching anywhere, Professor Stephen Fleischer’s Advanced Literacy course might prove eye-opening (English 494).

Please note too a variety of courses in ethnic and international literatures: Professor Carrie Bramen’s U.S. Latino Literature (English 277), Professor Soto-Crespo’s Spanish American Literature (English 372), Professor Licastro’s Italian Novella (English 443), Professor Shechner’s Jewish Writers (English 493), and Professor Nam’s Asian American & Visual Media (English 479).

If you have any questions about these or other English courses, do come by and talk with me (and if I’m not free, set up an appointment during my office hours). I’d urge you to do this on the general ground that I can make suggestions as to furthering your initial interests and/or making sure you satisfy departmental and university-wide requirements. I’d also urge you to come in on the specific ground that really, in this day and age, you have to plan backwards, not forwards, thinking of where you want to be in the future, not where you are now (is that a motto?) In particular, this might include talk about opportunities for English majors in writing areas (journalism, public relations, FOX News even), business (yes business, where supple thinking is often at a premium), elementary and secondary teaching and graduate work in English. But the operative idea is the sooner the better. (To repeat, thinking backwards is the way to go.)

Finally, thanks once again to Linda Bogdan, whose tireless work in compiling and ornamenting the Whole English Catalogue helps us all immeasurably, as do her efforts to guide you and faculty (both!) through the ever-changing maze of university requirements and ultimately the pleasures of reading and (yes) writing.

Robert Newman

Director of Undergraduate English