English
Courses for English (ENGL) +/-
801. Drama (3 cr)
Particular historical periods or other groupings of dramas, examining the relation of the writers both to one another and to the aesthetic and intellectual climate of their times. Examples: drama survey, modern drama, American drama, Shakespeare’s contemporaries in drama.
801K. Gay and Lesbian Drama (3 cr)
Overview of contemporary gay and lesbian drama.
802. Poetry (3 cr) Lec 3.
Epic, Renaissance, Romantic, Victorian, American, and contemporary poetry.
802L. Romantic Poetry (3 cr) Lec 3.
Survey of British poetry, 1780-1835. The traditional major authors and some of the many other poets whose works were popular and influential. The social, historical, and cultural context.
803. American Short Story (3 cr) Lec 3.
The narrative genre of the short story, as represented by stories from American authors of the 19th century to the present day.
805. Fiction (3 cr) Lec 3.
Fiction, primarily novels, in particular historical periods or other groups. The relation of the writers both to one another and to the aesthetic and intellectual climate of their time.
805A. 19th Century British Novel (3 cr) Lec 3.
The most popular and influential literary genre in the 19th century, the novel, through representative Romantic, Victorian, and "fin de siecle" (end of century) works.
805B. 18th Century British Novel (3 cr) Lec 3.
Survey of British fiction (primarily novels), 1780-1850. Major and minor authors whose works illustrate the tastes and trends of British fiction in the early modern period. The literary, social, and cultural context.
805E. Modern Fiction (3 cr) Lec 3.
Key British and American novels and short stories from about 1910 to 1950. Modernism as a literary and cultural practice. Modernism's interpretation of the revolutionary changes in culture and society in the first half of the 20th century. The relation between modernism and postmodernism.
805K. Canadian Fiction (3 cr) Lec 3.
Survey of modern Canadian novels and short stories from 1920 to the present plus some other genres. The historical and cultural context.
805M. American Novel I (3 cr) Lec 3,
Survey of novels written by a variety of men and women of diverse backgrounds in the United States from the late 18th century to 1900.
805N. American Novel II (3 cr) Lec 3.
Survey of novels written by a variety of men and women of diverse backgrounds in the United States from 1900 to the present day.
806. Genre (3 cr)
History and theory of the concept of genre as exemplified in literary works in various forms. Examples: comedy, tragedy, and satire.
810. Studies in Literary Movements (3 cr) Lec 3.
Intensive study of a literary movement (national or transnational), the development of a genre, or the intellectual and historical origins of an idea, as reflected in literature. May include the literature of abolition, alternative Romanticisms, literary modernism, the literature of Civil Rights, postmodernism, and/or the avant garde movement.
811B. Plains Literature (3 cr)
813. Film (3 cr) Lec 3
ENGL 813 may be repeated once for credit with a different topic.
Study of specific critical and historical film theory and approaches to film history using more difficult texts (both as films and as readings) for the students, to create an intense immersion into more complex films and critical readings.
814. Women’s Literature (WMNS 814) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Junior standing
Particular historical or other groups of literature by and about women, seen in their aesthetic and intellectual context.
814B. Modern and Contemporary Women Writers (WMNS 814B) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Selected women writers from the 20th and 21st centuries.
820. Introduction to Linguistics (3 cr)
Introduction for advanced students to the history and methods of linguistics, to the theory of language, and to applications of linguistics in a variety of fields and disciplines.
826. History of the English Language (3 cr)
Survey of historical development of contemporary English with attention to its Old and Middle English background.
827. Applications of Linguistics (3 cr)
Application of the principles of linguistics. Examples: TESOL Theory and Practice, Second Language Composition Theory and Practice; Introduction to First and Second Language Acquisition; Teaching of Grammar.
828. Old English (3 cr)
aimed at enabling students to read and understand literary texts of the period in their historical context.
828B. Middle English (3 cr)
830. British Authors to 1800 (3 cr) Lec 3.
The works of a particular major author, such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, or Milton situated within literary, historical, biographical, and critical context.
830A. Shakespeare I (3 cr) Lec 3.
How performance-based strategies can help in understanding and in teaching Shakespeare's plays. The historical and contemporary stage practices, the performance history of these plays, and recent criticism that engages with the insights of both Performance Theory and Semiotics.
*830J. Music and Text in the English Renaissance (MUSC *830J) (3 cr)
Prereq: MUSC 366
Interconnections between musical and literary composition at a time when practitioners in both areas were profoundly influenced by developments in each others’ fields.
832. American Authors to 1900 (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Two courses in ENGL above 199
The works of a particular major author seen in a wide critical context.
833. American Authors since 1900 (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Two courses in ENGL above 199
Extensive study in the works of a particular major author seen in a wide critical context.
839. Film Directors (3 cr)
ENGL 839 may be repeated once for credit with a different topic
Intensive study of the films of one director or a small group of directors, with emphasis on an auteur approach. Weekly film screenings.
840. Classical Drama (CLAS 883) (3 cr)
Greek and Roman tragedy and comedy in translation.
845. Ethnic Literature (ETHN 445) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Works of writers with connections to one or more American ethnic communities, seen in their historical, intellectual, and cultural context. Survey of ethnic literature.
845B. African-American Literature (ETHN 445B) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Selected works of African-American poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction prose.
845E. Native American Literature (ETHN 445E) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Works of Native American poetry, fiction, and/or nonfiction prose. Critical theory and cultural criticism.
845K. African/African-American Literature (ETHN 445K) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Selected works of African and African-American poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction prose.
*852. Fiction Writing (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ENGL 252; and permission
ENGL *852 is for advanced students with previous experience in fiction writing.
Longer projects in fiction writing.
*852A. Writing of Literary Non-Fiction (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ENGL 252 or 253
Advanced (workshop) course for creative writers; emphasis on memoirs, personal essays, other forms of literary non-fiction.
*853. Writing of Poetry (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ENGL 253 and permission
For advanced students with previous experience in poetry writing.
*854. Advanced Writing Projects (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 3 hrs English composition above the ENGL 200 level
Advanced writing workshop in which experienced writers develop extended projects in writing, analyze their own and others’ writing processes, and read widely in genres related to their projects.
*857. Composition Theory and Practice (3 cr)
Recent research on language development and the process of writing. Applications of theory to composition instruction, especially in K-12 grades.
857A. Composition and Rhetorical Theory (3-4 cr)
Theoretical approaches to writing instruction and to the field of composition and rhetoric.
*857B. Nebraska Writing Project (TEAC *857B) (1-3 cr) Lec.
Topics in writing instruction, explored via the National Writing Project Institute model, for K-12 and college teachers of writing in all curricular areas.
859. Writing for Film (3 cr) Lec 3.
Development of screenplays.
862. Survey of Medieval Literature (3 cr)
Readings in the various genres and movements of Medieval English literature and their cultural context.
862A. Ideas of Ethnicity in Medieval Literature (3 cr)
Medieval literary texts involving encounters between different religions and cultures. Reading: chronicles, romances, debates, and epics.
863. Survey of Renaissance Literature (3 cr)
Major authors and works of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries with attention to the development of poetic and prose literary forms and their cultural context.
864. British Literature 1660-1800 (3 cr)
Major writers and critical issues of the period. Emphasis on poetry and nonfiction prose.
865. Nineteenth-Century British Literature (3 cr)
Poetry and prose of the Romantic and Victorian periods with emphasis on their intellectual and cultural context.
867. Literary History (3 cr)
Theory of literary periods and movements and the causes for change among them. Periods, movements, and readings are usually taken from British literature from about 1475 to about 1950.
871. Literary Criticism and Theory (3 cr)
History, analysis and application of a variety of trends in literary criticism and critical theory.
875. Rhetoric (3 cr) Lec 3.
ENGL 475/875 may not be offered every year.
Rhetoric and rhetorical theory in relation to literature, composition, and language.
875A. Rhetorical Theory: Rhetoric of Women Writers (WMNS 875A) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Rhetoric and rhetorical theory of women writers and speakers and its implications for literature, composition, literacy, feminist theory, and women's and gender studies.
878. Digital Archives and Editions (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Junior standing
The shift from printed to digital texts and its implications for the humanities. Practice in digitally representing texts, archival design, and analysis of representative electronic projects dedicated to a variety of authors and genres.
880. Writing Theory and Practice for Consultants (3 cr) Lec 3.
Successful completion of ENGL 480/880 is required to intern or work as a consultant in UNL’s Writing Assistance Center. Introduction to issues and scholarship in teaching writing and working as a writing consultant.
*881. GESL/Academic Research (3 cr)
ENGL *881 may not be used to complete requirements for a graduate degree.
882. Literacy Issues and Community (3-6 cr)
Literacy theory and its application in school, community, and workplace environments. May include a literacy and/or writing internship in a community or workplace setting.
*884. GESL/Advanced Academic Writing (1-3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
ENGL *884 may not be used to complete requirements for a graduate degree.
Individualized tutorial instruction focused on the student’s particular grammar and writing problems.
*886. GESL and/or Academic Language Skills (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
ENGL *886 may not be used to complete requirements for a graduate degree.
For international graduate students designed to develop academic language skills.
*887. GESL and/or Academic Research Skills (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
ENGL *887 may not be used to complete requirements for a graduate degree.
Advanced tutorial in academic writing for international graduate students.
*888. Spoken English for International Students (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
ENGL *888 may not be used to complete requirements for a graduate degree.
Speech improvement course for international graduate students.
889. Medieval Literature and Theology (RELG 889) (3 cr)
Exploration of the relationship between significant medieval theologies and primary medieval poets and prose masters.
*895. Internship in Teaching English (1-3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
*895A. Nebraska Writing Project Internship (TEAC *895A) (1-3 cr) Lec.
Prereq: Permission
*895E. Internship in Digital Humanities (HIST *895; MODL *895) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Active participation in an ongoing digital humanities project in the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, including weekly meetings designed to build technical and project management skills.
897. Independent Directed Reading (1-6 cr)
Prereq: Permission
898. Special Topics in English (1-6 cr, max 6)
*899. Masters Thesis (6-10 cr)
Prereq: Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
901. Seminar in Drama (1-24 cr)
902. Seminar in Poetry (1-24 cr)
905. Seminar in Prose Fiction (1-24 cr)
911. Seminar in Plains Literature (1-24 cr)
913. Studies in Film (3-4 cr)
914. Seminar in Women Writers (1-24 cr)
915. Popular Literature (1-24 cr)
918. Interdisciplinary Seminar in Nineteenth-Century Studies (HIST 918; MODL 918) (3 cr, max 6)
Invention of the nineteenth century, gender, colonialism, class, realism science and technology.
919. Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Nineteenth Century (HIST 919; MODL 919) (3 cr)
Introduction to the nineteenth century in North America (focusing on the US), Great Britain, and Europe (focusing on France, Germany, Russia, and Spain), organized through themes such as constructions of gender and sexuality, democracy in the nation-state, and challenges to religion.
920. Seminar in Linguistics (1-24 cr)
927. Stylistics (1-24 cr)
930. Seminar in British Authors to 1800 (1-24 cr)
931. Seminar in British Authors since 1800 (1-24 cr)
932. Seminar in American Authors to 1900 (1-24 cr)
933. Seminar in American Authors since 1900 (1-24 cr)
940. Seminar in African-American Literature (1-24 cr)
953. Seminar in Creative Writing (1-24 cr)
957. Composition Theory and Practice (1-24 cr)
957B. Nebraska Writing Project (TEAC 957B) (6 cr) Lec 6.
Summer institute for K-12 and college teachers of writing in all curricular areas, taught on the National Writing Project model.
961. Seminar in American Literature (1-24 cr)
962. Seminar in Medieval Literature (1-24 cr)
963. Seminar in Renaissance Literature (1-24 cr)
964. Seminar in Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature (1-24 cr)
965. Seminar in Nineteenth-Century Literature (1-24 cr)
967. Seminar in Modern Literature (1-24 cr)
970. Literary Theory (3-4 cr)
971. Seminar in Literary Theory (1-24 cr)
973. Seminar in Literacy Studies (1-24 cr)
976. Seminar in Rhetorical Theory (1-24 cr)
986. Approaches to English Studies (3 cr)
Emerging models of English studies that cross traditional boundaries. Traces disciplinary concerns across three registers: scholarship, curriculum, and pedagogy.
987. Seminar in Humanities and Public Policy (3-4 cr)
Strategies for using the humanities to change or develop policy, the public policy roles of humanities and education scholars, and strategies for obtaining funding, permanence, and effectiveness.
988. Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Study of the Middle Ages (AHIS 988; HIST 988; MODL 988; MUSC 988) (3 cr)
Methods and state of research in the disciplines--art, music, literature, language, history, philosophy--dealing with the Middle Ages. Assistance in independent reading and research in subjects related to the student’s own research interests. Taught jointly by faculty members in art, music, theatre, English, history, classics, modern languages, and philosophy.
989. Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Study of the Renaissance (AHIS 989; HIST 989; MODL 989; MUSC 989) (3 cr)
Methods and state of research in the disciplines--art, music, literature, language, history, philosophy--dealing with the Renaissance. Assistance in independent reading and research in subjects related to the student’s own research interests. Taught jointly by faculty members in art, music, theatre, English, history, classics, modern languages, and philosophy.
990. Introduction to Research and Scholarship in English (1-3 cr, max 3)
Introduction to a variety of approaches to research and scholarship current in the discipline.
991. Nebraska Literature Project (1-24 cr)
992. Nebraska Humanities Project (TEAC 992) (1-24 cr) Lec.
992B. Place Conscious Teaching (TEAC 992B) (1-6 cr, max 6) Lec.
Theory and practice of teaching writing, literature, and rhetoric in connection with local place, region, and community.
993. Academic Professionalization and Presentation (1 cr) Lec 1.
Personalized feedback on job application materials and assistance in preparing materials that present the student’s advanced graduate work.
994. Application of Learning and Teaching English (3-4 cr)
995. Teaching of Literature (1-24 cr, max 24) Lec.
996. Bibliography and Methods (3-4 cr)
997. Independent Directed Reading (1-24 cr)
999. Doctoral Dissertation (1-24 cr, max 55)
Prereq: Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Department Chair: Susan Belasco, Ph.D.
Graduate Studies Committee: Professors Reynolds (Chair), Agee, Brooke, Assistant Professors Schleck, Vegso; Graduate Student Representative Wendy Oleson
The Department of English offers MA and PhD work in ten major fields of study: Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration and Eighteenth-Century, Nineteenth-Century British, American Literature to 1900, Modern British and American, Composition and Rhetoric, Creative Writing, Women’s Literature, Plains Literature, Ethnic Literature, and Critical Theory.
Master of Arts Degree.
The prerequisite for admission to work leading to the degree of master of arts with specialization in English is normally an undergraduate major in English. The application for admission must include transcripts, three letters of recommendation, vita, evidence of teaching potential, a statement of educational goals, and a sample of the student’s scholarly writing. The GRE general test score may be submitted but is not required. If the student is applying to the Creative Writing Program, a creative writing sample must be submitted, in addition to the critical writing sample. Foreign students whose native language is not English must submit a score of 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL or 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL. Masters students must satisfy course distribution requirements and take a comprehensive examination or write a thesis. Further information about the program is available upon request from the chairperson of the Graduate Committee.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
Students can apply for the PhD program directly from the BA, or with an MA or MFA. The application for admission must include transcripts (graduate and undergraduate), three letters of recommendation, a sample of the student’s scholarly writing, a personal statement of the applicant’s interests and goals in obtaining a PhD, a vita, and evidence of teaching experience or potential. The GRE general test score may be submitted but is not required. Creative writing applicants should submit a portfolio of their work. Foreign students whose native language is not English must submit a score of 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL or 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL. Doctoral students shape their own program of study with the guidance of a Supervisory Committee and take a three-part comprehensive examination. Fluency in one foreign language, reading knowledge of two foreign languages, or reading knowledge of a foreign language plus a collateral field, are also required. Students will ordinarily be expected to complete at least 60 hours of course work beyond the bachelors degree and 24-30 hours in dissertation credit. Further information about the program is available upon request from the chairperson of the Graduate Committee.
Specializations available for both the MA and PhD degrees:
Ethnic Studies; Great Plains Studies; Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs; Nineteenth-Century Studies; Women’s and Gender Studies.
Course Offerings--Important Note.
The course offerings in English are described in this bulletin for the most part in general terms only. For the precise courses offered or to be offered in the next semester, see the Schedule of Classes and Course Description Booklet. The Booklet is available in the Department of English.
Course Requirements.
Beginning MA students must take ENGL 990 (Introduction to Literary Scholarship). Teaching assistants must take ENGL 957 (Composition Theory and Practice). Students may not take more than 6 hours of independent directed reading (ENGL 897 or 997) as part of their MA or PhD program.
NOTE: For specific topics of each course for any particular semester, consult the Schedule of Classes for that semester.
