Course Descriptions Summer 2015 

ENGL 506-30: Teaching Writing: Professor Schneider (7/8/2015-8/11/2015) MTWThF 1:00PM - 2:30 PM

 

ENGL 522-20: Structure of Modern English: Professor Stewart (6/2/2015-7/7/2015) 
MTWThF 9:40AM - 11:10AM
This course is designed as a linguistic exploration of the various forms and combinations of words, phrases, and sentences that contemporary speakers of English typically recognize as belonging to that language.
To help in this exploration, students will:
•           examine both popular and technical conceptions of “grammar”
•           examine that variety of English referred to as Standard American English (SAE)
•           consider some of the ways in which one can vary from SAE and still be speaking English
•           consider the role of situation, audience, etc., in determining “appropriate use”
•           acquire terminology and methods that permit clear description of English grammar
•           collect real-life examples of actual English usage for detailed description
•           identify and monitor trends in English usage to evaluate “changes in progress”
Note: This course can count in the Theoretical Track concentration or as an Elective for the Undergraduate Minor in Linguistics. For more information, see http://bit.ly/UG_lingminor
Student learning outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. distinguish between language issues that are fundamental to the construction of English sentences and those that constitute “pet peeves” and “complaint triggers”;
2. identify English examples in terms of grammatical categories, inflectional forms, clausal functions, and syntactic constructions;
3. produce original examples of each of the types listed in (2) above; and
4. describe, compare, and contrast example English structures in detail through the rigorous application of the concepts, categories, and methods of descriptive linguistics.

 

ENGL 562-30: Shakespeare: On Unfamiliar Ground: Professor Stanev (7/8/2015-8/11/2015) 
MTWThF 11:20AM - 12:50PM

This intensive five-week course will examine a number of the lesser known works of the Bard, particularly those that have baffled and perplexed generations of audiences and readers. We will study in considerable detail the dramatic, philosophical, cultural, and political build-up of select plays in regard to four significant clusters of ideas: imperfect love, misanthropy and exile, desultory kingship, and uncommon redemption. We will investigate Shakespeare’s works further through a number of interpretative lenses (especially historicism) that help to unravel a complex register of dramatic commentaries related to royal prerogative, political opportunism, social alienation, sexual fulfillment, erotic desire, gender transgression, cultural defiance, philosophical skepticism, psychological breakdown, and emotional disparagement. The student learning outcome of this course hence aims at developing significant awareness of the restless complexity and inner controversies of a relatively unfamiliar body of Shakespeare’s plays that will not only enhance knowledge of the Bard’s dramatic genius, but will also help us place some of the better known works in dialogue and negotiations with their lesser known siblings. The plays covered will include 2 Henry VI, Love’s Labour’s Lost, King John, All’s Well That Ends Well, Troilus and Cressida, Timon of Athens, Coriolanus, Pericles, and Cymbeline.

ENGL 691-20: Contemporary Interpretive Theory: Professor Biberman (6/2/2015-7/7/2015) 
MTWThF 9:40AM - 11:10AM

In this course we will explore subject of theory via three questions: first, what is the historical genealogy that informs the field of theory; second, how is (or how should) theory be taught at the undergraduate level within American universities, and finally, what are some of the key topics within theory today?  Our readings will be responsive to this three questions.  We will look at history of teaching literature, with an eye to tracking the migration of theoretical discourse from what is now called romanticism, continental philosophy and avant garde poetics into American English Departments.  Also, we will read some foundational essays or excerpts that are widely used in theory classes, and finally we will read two recent books on theory: Alain Badiou's The Century and Jameson's Antinomies of Realism,

Special Notes:

Take Home Midterm (with an exercise in question construction), Final Paper (as 20 minute conf paper)--or approved alternate project, and a final presentation, with periodic short writings and brief in-class presentations.