Department Head: Dr. Andrea Porter
215 Stone Center
Mission Statement
Using innovative teaching approaches, the Department of English empowers students to write and communicate across numerous current and emerging fields, to think critically, and to solve problems creatively. At all levels of instruction—from first-year composition through graduate classes—the Department of English establishes a firm foundation for students to begin their exploration of the world and, for English majors, builds on that foundation with opportunities to enrich their cultural and intellectual lives through classes that emphasize deep analysis, careful research, and rigorous writing across several fields including the study of literature, creative writing, and professional writing. The Department of English both serves the needs of the University and strives to become a destination department for those students whose personal goals and intellectual curiosity align with the Department’s mission.
For prerequisite information, visit the First-Year Writing website (www.jsu.edu/english/first-year-writing). Introduction to critical reading, thinking, and writing through student interaction with textual and digital materials. Focuses on developing strong composition skills by practicing a variety of rhetorical strategies and the drafting, revising, and editing processes. Grades for EH 101: A, B, C, NC.
For prerequisite information, please visit the First-Year Writing website (www.jsu.edu/english/first-year-writing). Advanced instruction in critical reading, thinking, and writing through student interaction with textual and digital materials. Focuses on developing advanced composition skills by practicing a variety of rhetorical strategies and the drafting, revising, and editing processes. Grades for EH 103: A, B, C, or NC. (Fall only)
Corequisite(s): EH 115.
For prerequisite information, visit the First-Year Writing website (www.jsu.edu/english/first-year-writing.html). An enhanced introduction to critical reading, thinking, and writing through student interaction with textual and digital materials. Focuses on developing strong composition skills by practicing a variety of rhetorical strategies and the drafting, revising, and editing processes. Grades for EH 105: A, B, C, NC.
Prerequisite(s): EH 105.
Corequisite(s): EH 116.
Enhanced reinforcement of the skills gained in EH 105. Focuses on academic writing, argumentation, research, and documentation. Provides the foundation for upper-level writing-intensive courses. Students must pass EH 116 in order to make a C or above in EH 106. Grades for EH 106: A, B, C, NC.
Conversational English used in public, interpersonal, and professional communication. Consists of instruction in effective speeches, slide deck, and multimodal presentations, interviewing, virtual meetings and presentations, collaborations, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other topics relevant to all academic and professional settings.
This course provides a forum for assigned readings and discussion of ideas in response to a current issue/event. The topic of the course will vary. May be repeated for a total of three credit hours.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
An introduction to critical writing about literary texts; literary history, theory, and research; and the professional field of English Studies. Required of all English majors; recommended prior to taking 300- or 400-level English courses. (Writing Intensive Course)
An introduction to the study of games, including how to design, analyze, and write for games.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of academic advisor and pre-approval by department head prior to registration.
Individual study abroad through a JSU-sponsored program as administered by International Programs; pre-approval within specific disciplines required. May be repeated for credit for a total of 15 semester hours. Grades: Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of Department Head.
(1-3). Special project in English Studies. Students may register for 1-3 credit hours per semester with approval from the Department Head, not to exceed two semesters of independent study.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
An exploration of three of the most important forms of visual culture in contemporary America. The course will concentrate on the social and cultural work performed by the films, and the focus will shift from one semester to the next from film noir to classics to melodrama. May be taken only once.
This course is designed to teach the basics of business communication with an emphasis on American business English, business document formats, American idiomatic usages, and multicultural audiences, including ESL audiences.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
A survey of major works by a featured author(s), including works by major authors of a particular era, literary movement, region, nationality, and/or genre. May be duplicated for credit for a total of six (6) semester hours, as long as each course taken is on a different topic.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
An introduction to writing style, rhetorical strategy, research methods, and best practices for writing website content while learning the basics of user experience (UX), search engine optimization, and content management systems as they relate to writing. (Writing Intensive Course)
Prerequisite(s): EH 141 and approval of advisor.
Study and practice of techniques of public speech-making, argumentation and debate.
Prerequisite(s): EH 141 and approval of advisor.
Study and practice in developing oral communication skills and auditory discrimination ability.
Prerequisite(s): EH 251 or approval of instructor.
A course focused on analyzing published fiction, reading and commenting on the writing of classroom peers, and producing original fiction for discussion in a workshop format.
Prerequisite(s): EH 251 or approval of the instructor.
A course focused on analyzing published poetry, reading and commenting on the writing of classroom peers, and producing original poems for discussion in a workshop format.
Prerequisite(s): EH 251 or approval of the instructor.
A course focused on analyzing published nonfiction, reading and commenting on the writing of classroom peers, and producing original nonfiction for discussion in a workshop format.
Prerequisite(s): EH 251 or approval of the instructor.
A course focused on analyzing published work on a special topic or in a special genre, reading and commenting on the writing of classroom peers, and producing original work for discussion in a workshop format. May be duplicated for credit for a total of six (6) semester hours, as long as the course taken is on a different topic.
Prerequisite(s): EH 251 or approval of the instructor.
A course focused on the field of literary publishing through work on a literary journal and other smaller publications; topics include manuscript selection, layout, design, aesthetic considerations, and marketing strategies, among others relevant to a career in publishing.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
Topics, excursions and requirements determined by department. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required. This course may be duplicated for a total of 6 semester credits; however, only 3 semester credits may be used toward the major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106. Intensive Course)
Film as an artistic medium will be considered with close analysis of movies from the silent era through art-house works of the Post-WWII period and forward to the 21st century. The course will focus on international as well as American cinematic works that define and explore film narrative as an art in addition to being a commercial enterprise. This course is eligible for Faster Master's. (Writing Intensive Course)
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
An examination of American drama both as theatre and literature, considering early plays in their historical contexts, with emphasis on major American dramatists beginning with Eugene O'Neill and progressing through Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee, Beth Henley, August Wilson, and others.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
A survey of eighteenth-century English writers, focusing on major satirists, such as Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Fielding; also including Johnson and his circle, some of the major novelists and dramatists; and ending with a survey of the "Pre-Romantics" (the "poets of sensibility").
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
A study of texts by and about American and Vietnamese soldiers, both during and after the Vietnam War, focusing on how the war is portrayed in writing, film, and music, including various cultural, political, and historical events/topics as they relate to these texts.
Prerequisites for Undergraduate: EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106. Prerequisites for Graduate: Graduate-level coursework in progress. Analyzes the works of a particular director, genre, period, etc. with an emphasis on film as text. May be duplicated for credit for a total of nine (9) semester hours, as long as each course taken is on a different special topic. This course is eligible for Faster Master's.
Prerequisites for Undergraduate: EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106. Prerequisites for Graduate: Admission to Graduate Studies. An exploration of texts and their adaptations centered upon a specific topic, genre, theory, series, author, director, etc., often but not exclusively emphasizing film adaptations. May be duplicated for credit for a total of nine (9) semester hours, as long as each course taken is on a different special topic.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
An introduction to literature of the non-Western world from ancient times to the twenty-first century. This course will examine different genres of literature originating in the following regions or cultures: Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, as well as other cultures whose heritage is not primarily based on the Western tradition.
Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.
Writing style, rhetorical strategy, research methods, and best practices associated with a special topic, genre, field, etc., in the realm of professional writing. May be duplicated for credit for a total of six (6) semester hours, as long as the course taken is on a different topic. (Writing Intensive Course)
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of at least 3 hours of professional writing coursework and departmental approval.
Professional writing project-based learning for campus and community partners. The English Department’s in-house student creative team who collaborate to produce documents and print and digital media through research, writing, design, editing, and project management. May be duplicated for credit for a total of six (6) semester hours. (Writing Intensive Course)
Prerequisite for Undergraduate: EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. A study of the New York theatre available at the time the course is offered. In addition to attending four current Broadway productions, students visit Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and major art museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and others. Offered infrequently.
Required of all Writing Center Consultants each semester they work in the Writing Center. An ongoing workshop to train Writing Center Consultants and address pedagogical issues and best practices for the Writing Center. An Orientation workshop at the beginning of the semester is also mandatory. Course may be repeated for a total of 12 times. Grades: Pass/No Credit.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of at least 6 hours of 300+ English classes and permission of the Department Chair and sponsoring faculty member.
Provides direct experience and application of principles, concepts and theories acquired in coursework with an emphasis on writing in a professional organization while giving students the opportunity to gain work/career experience in service/learning or business/corporate settings. For English majors and minors. Grade: Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and permission of the English advisor.
A seminar in which English majors use the knowledge and skills developed in previous English coursework to create, complete, and publish/present a project approved by a faculty mentor. Required of all English majors. EH 499 is ideally taken in the final undergraduate semester. Students must pass with a C or better. (Writing Intensive Course)