Department of English

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.

Prerequisite(s): EH 101.

Reinforcement of the skills gained in EH 101. Focuses on academic writing, argumentation, research, and documentation. Provides the foundation for upper-level writing-intensive courses. Grades for EH 102: 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)

Prerequisite(s): EH 103.

Reinforcement of the skills gained in EH 103. Focuses on advanced academic writing, argumentation, research, and documentation. Provides the foundation for upper-level writing-intensive courses. Grades for EH 104: A, B, C, NC. (Spring 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. Grades for EH 106: A, B, C, NC.

Corequisite(s): EH 105.

An extension of the EH 105 classroom, EH 115 provides individualized support to students through writing studio sessions in the English Department Writing Center. Students must pass EH 115 in order to make a C or above in EH 105. Grades: Pass/No Credit.

Corequisite(s): EH 106.

An extension of the EH 106 classroom, EH 116 provides individualized support to students through writing studio sessions in the English Department Writing Center. Students must pass EH 116 in order to make a C or above in EH 106. Grades: Pass/No Credit.

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.

A survey of American literature from its beginnings to 1865, including Colonial, Revolutionary and Early National, and Romantic literatures.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of American literature from 1865 to the present, including Realistic, Modern, and Postmodern literatures.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of British literature from its beginnings to 1800, including Old English, Middle English, Renaissance, and Neoclassical literatures.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of British literature from 1800 to the present, including Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Postmodern literatures.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of literature that focuses on transformative texts addressing specific themes, ideas, or larger life questions central to the humanities, concentrating on writing through the 20th Century.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of literature that focuses on transformative texts addressing specific themes, ideas, or larger life questions central to the humanities, concentrating on writing from the 20th Century to the present.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106, and approval of instructor.

A study of works of literature against the background of philosophy, history, and the arts.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106, and approval of instructor.

A study of works of literature against the background of philosophy, history, and the arts.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of literature from the ancient period to 1660, representing diverse cultural, historical, and philosophical traditions from around the world.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of literature from 1660 to the present, representing diverse cultural, historical, and philosophical traditions from around the world.

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)

Prerequisite(s): EH 101, EH 103, or EH 105.

Introduction to the craft of imaginative writing, the landscape of contemporary literature, and the writer as artist. Students will engage with contemporary arts culture. Introductory course for the Creative writing minor genre-specific workshop courses.

An introduction to the study of games, including how to design, analyze, and write for games.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An introduction to digital humanities, an interdisciplinary field that merges digital research, data, methods, and projects with humanities disciplines, from history to literature to writing.

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.

Special project in English studies. (Fall and Spring only)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A study of African American writers from Colonial times through the Harlem Renaissance.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A study of African American writers from the 1940s to the present.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A study of selected literature by Native Americans, including traditional oral genres (myths, folktales) and written genres (autobiography, fiction, poetry).

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An exploration of all aspects of English grammar, including sentence structure, usage, and mechanics.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An overview of the fundamental concepts and methods of linguistic science (phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax).

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.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

English poetry of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, featuring works of Blake, Dorothy and William Wordsworth, Byron, Mary and Percy Shelley, and Keats.

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 British and American poets of the 1900s.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A linguistic approach to the study of prescriptive and descriptive grammar.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Writing skills, practices, and genres for communicating complex information in business, scientific, government, medical, and technical fields so that diverse audiences can understand. (Writing Intensive Course)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Writing skills, practices, and genres for the workplace, such as resumes, job applications, memos, emails, and reports, that support business processes and communication for diverse audiences. (Writing Intensive Course)

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.

A study of texts from the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres from their origins to modern day.

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 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Writing style, research methods, rhetorical strategy, and best practices for social media content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms. (Writing Intensive Course)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Study and practice of rhetorical strategies, writing styles, genres, research methods, ethical considerations, and best practices for writing podcast content. (Writing Intensive Course)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An introduction to analytic writing about games through both a media and game studies lens. (Writing Intensive Course)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A course focused on diverse topics in the field of game studies. 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 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Improving the skills and the knowledge of personal, academic, and public writing, especially focusing on rhetorical analysis and critique. (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 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A survey of the literature of young adults with particular attention to recent examples. Emphasis will be on the literary qualities of the reading.

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.

From its beginning to the present: Cooper, Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain through such moderns as Faulkner, Hemingway, Wolfe, Ellison, Bellow, and Morrison.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

The reading and analysis of recent novels and/or short stories selected by the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Dedicated to selected writers, themes, genres, countries (manga, manhua, bande dessinee, etc.) or a survey of the medium as a whole. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 6 semester hours as long as each course taken is on a different special topic.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

The social, moral, and psychological interests of modern and contemporary American, English, and European dramatists.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Selected works of poetry and prose by such major Southern writers as Eudora Welty, Alice Walker, William Faulkner, and Flannery O'Connor.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Introduction to the literary ideas, forms, and techniques found in English translations of the Bible.

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.

The poet against the background of the Middle Ages.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Dedicated to selected writers, themes or genres. 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.

Program of study in Stratford-upon-Avon with visits to places associated with Shakespeare. Readings by Shakespeare and in social history of the period. Offered infrequently.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A study of selected histories, comedies, and tragedies.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An introduction to the history and theory of rhetoric and composition and how they inform the teaching of composition.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A consideration of the motion picture in its artistic, technical, and historical contexts. A number of films by major directors will be viewed, ranging from the comedies of the thirties and forties to the work of Alfred Hitchcock and the fantasy of the Hollywood musical. (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.

Tennyson, Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, Arnold, Swinburne, and other poets of the Victorian Era.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Medieval background of Elizabethan drama and the reading of representative plays of the Tudor and Stuart periods.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Improving the skills and knowledge of argumentation in academic and public writing. (Writing Intensive Course)

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.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Poetry and prose of John Milton, with special attention to Paradise Lost.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Six centuries of representative literature by women. Emphasis on recent British and American, including ethnic-American, authors. Discussion of women writers in relation to the traditional canon.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An introduction to Alabama writers from the frontier period to the present; fiction and nonfiction; short story, novel, poetry, essay.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

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.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

An examination of LGTBQ+ literature through the ages and from across cultures in light of current queer, feminist, and gender studies theory.

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, research methods, rhetorical strategy, and best practices when writing for nonprofit organizations, including donor relations, public advocacy, policymaking, messaging, and branding. (Writing Intensive Course)

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Explores and engages students in public writing as an agent of social change, including study of writing style, rhetorical strategy, research methods, audience analysis, messaging, and storytelling, among other topics. (Writing Intensive Course)

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(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Study of the origins and development of the English language from Old English through Modern English, focusing on the historical, cultural, and linguistic forces affecting language change.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A study of major twentieth- and twenty-first-century African American writers.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

Prominent themes and theories, various critical approaches, and outstanding examples of literary criticism from Plato to feminism and African-American literary theory.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

A history of the British novel, with readings of, and reports on, novelists of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.

Prerequisite(s): EH 102, EH 104, or EH 106.

British fiction of the twentieth century, including short stories and novels by modern and postmodern authors.

Practical course instructing the steps involved in the grantwriting process. The course includes strategic planning, research, finding appropriate grant sources and writing the grant. EH 482 is cross listed with PSC 482, and only one may be taken for credit.

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)