Faculty
Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritae/i
Judith Fetterley, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Indiana University
Eugene K. Garber, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
Distinguished Service Professor
Ronald A. Bosco, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Maryland
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Stephen North D.A.
University at Albany
Professors Emeritae/i
Frances Colby Allee, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Stanley K. Coffman Jr., Ph.D.
Ohio State University
Sarah Blacher Cohen, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Arthur N. Collins, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Minnesota
Robert A. Donovan, Ph.D.
Washington University
William A. Dumbleton, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Walter Knotts, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Edward S. Lecomte, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Eugene Mirabelli, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Daniel W. Odell, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Townsend Rich, Ph.D.
Yale University
Harry C. Staley, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Professors
Judith E. Barlow, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Pennsylvania
Jeffrey Berman, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Donald J. Byrd, Ph.D.
University of Kansas
Thomas D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Yale University
Randall T. Craig, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Gareth Griffiths, Ph.D.
University of Wales (Cardiff)
Judith E. Johnson, B.A.
Barnard College
Pierre Joris, Ph.D.
University at Binghamton
William Kennedy, B.A.
Siena College
Marjorie Pryse, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Martha T. Rozett, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Michigan
Charles Shepherdson, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University
Associate Professors Emeritae/i
Theodore Adams, Ph.D.
Ohio University
Diva Daims, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
Deborah Dorfman, Ph.D.
Yale University
Richard M. Goldman, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Edward M. Jennings, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin
Charles Koban, Ph.D.
University of Illinois
Thomson Littlefield, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Rudolph L. Nelson, Ph.D.
Brown University
David C. Redding, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Barbara Rotundo, Ph.D.
Syracuse University
Joan E. Schulz, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Illinois
Frederick E. Silva, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Donald B. Stauffer, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Robert E. Thorstensen, M.A.
University of Chicago
Associate Professors
Sylvia A. Barnard, Ph.D.
Yale University
Richard A. Barney, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
Lana Cable, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Lydia Davis, B.A. (Writer in Residence - On Leave)
Barnard College
Geoff Dyer (Writer in Residence)
Teresa Ebert, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Helen Regueiro Elam, Ph.D.
Brown University
Donald Faulkner, M.Phil
Yale University
Rosemary Hennessey, Ph.D.
Syracuse University
Michael Hill, Ph.D.
Stony Brook University, SUNY
Lynne Tillman, B.A. (Writer in Residence)
Hunter College
Carolyn Yalkut, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Assistant Professors Emeritae/i
George S. Hastings, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Assistant Professors
Branka Arsic, Ph.D.
University of Belgrade
Bret Benjamin, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin
Jennifer Greiman, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Eric Keenaghan, Ph.D.
Temple University
Hoang G. Phan
University of California, Berkeley
Helene E. Scheck, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Binghamton
Edward L. Schwarzschild, Ph.D.
Washington University
Lisa Thompson, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Full-Time Lecturers
Jill Hanifan, D.A.
University at Albany
Kathleen Thornton, D.A.
University at Albany, SUNY
Mary Valentis, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Kate Winter, D.A.
University at Albany
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 20
Careers for English Majors
The major in English prepares students for any field of work that requires a broad liberal education with special strength in language, critical analysis and research. English graduates find careers in theatre and film, government, counseling, broadcasting, public policy and administration, banking, retailing and manufacturing as well as writing, editing, publishing, teaching, advertising and public relations. The English major is also excellent preparation for advanced study in such professional graduate programs as law, medicine, librarianship, social welfare, theology, and education.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the Department of English is designed to aid students to write effectively, to read critically, and to acquire a sense of the development of literature written in English and of its relation to society. English majors also have the option of applying for admission to the Honors Program. Students planning to take the GRE for graduate study in English are strongly urged to include course work in pre-1800 British and American literature. All English majors are strongly encouraged to study at least one foreign language. Students may count up to 6 credits toward their English electives from the following list of courses offered by other departments.
Approved Courses for English Electives by Department
Africana Studies
A Aas 340 The Black Essay
A Aas The Black Novel
A Aas 355Z African-American Poetry
A Aas 357 Black Popular Culture
Anthropology
A Ant 343 Native American Literature
A Ant 381 Anthropology of Gender
A Ant 360 Social Anthropology
A Ant 363 Ethnology of Religion
A Ant 390 Ethnological Theory
Classics
A Clc 220Z Roman Poets and Playwrights
A Clc 223E/L Masterpieces of Greek Tragedy and Comedy
A Clc 225 Greek Literature in Translation
College of Arts and Sciences
A Cas 220L Literatures of the World I
A Cas 221L Literatures of the World II
A Cas 360E Passion and Choice
East Asian Studies
A Eac 210L Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation 1
A Eac 211L Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation 2
A Eac 212L Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation 3
A Eac 390 Classical Chinese Poetry
A Eaj 210L Survey of Traditional Japanese Literature
A Eaj 212L Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
A Eaj 396 Meiji Literature in Translation
A Eas 270-WSS 270 Women in East Asian Literature
A Eas 392 East Asian Travel Literature
Judaic Studies
A Jst 248 Women in Jewish Life and Literature
A Jst 272 Modern Hebrew Literature in Translation
A Jst 273 The Arab in Israeli Literature
A Jst 274 Love and Sex in Hebrew Literature
A Jst 280 The Torah
A Jst 281 The Prophets
A Jst 282 Late Biblical Literature
A Jst 285 Hero and Antihero in Scripture
A Jst 325 Rabbinic Literature
A Jst 360 Jewish Autobiographies
A Jst 367 Jewish American Literature
Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Prerequisites appear in parentheses following the title. An asterisk indicates a class not normally conducted in English.
A Fre 202 French Literature
A Fre 208 Haiti Through Literature and Film
A Fre 238 Great Classics of French Cinema
A Fre 281 French Canada Through Film and Literature
A Fre 338 French Cinema and Society
A Fre 315 Introduction to French Cinema (A Fre 241E) *
A Fre 338 French Cinema and Society (Junior or senior class standing or permission of instructor)
A Fre 415 French Cinema and Society (A Fre 341E and 340Z) *
A Fre 430 Translation (A Fre 341E and 340Z) *
A Fre 462 The Novel (A Fre 341E and 340Z) *
A Fre 463 Poetry (A Fre 341E and 340Z) *
A Fre 481 Francophone Cultures (A Fre 341) *
A Ita 312 General View of Literature (A Ita 223L or permission of instructor) *
A Ita 315 Italian Civilization: Etruscans to Galileo
A Ita 316 Italian Civilization: Unification to Present
A Ita 318 Italian Cinema and Literature
A Ita 421 Dante (A Ita 311 or permission of instructor) *
A Ita 441 The Italian Renaissance (A Ita 311 or permission of instructor) *
A Ita 471 From Baroque to Romanticism (A Ita 311 or permission of instructor) *
A Ita 481 The Italian Novel and Poetry of the 20th Century (A Ita 311 or permission of instructor)
A Rus 251L Masterpieces of Nineteenth Century Literature
A Rus 252L Masterpieces of Twentieth Century Literature
A Rus 253 Contemporary Russian Lit
A Rus 261L Dostoevsky and Tolstoy in English Trans (One course in lit or junior/senior standing)
A Rus 266 Gogol in English Translation
A Rus 267 Chekhov in English Translation
A Rus 270 Topics in Slavic Literatures and Cultures
A Rus 280 Soviet and Russian Cinema
A Rus 354L Russian Novel in Western Context (One course in lit or junior/senior standing)
A Rus 380 Topics Russian and Soviet Cinema (A Rus 280 or permission of instructor)
A Rus 421 Introduction to Literary Theory and Analysis (A Rus 202L)
A Rus 426 Russian 19th Century Poetics
A Rus 427 Russian 20th Century Poetry
A Pol 290 Topics in Polish Studies
A Spn 311 Hispanic Literature Through the Golden Age (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 316 Representative Spanish-American Authors (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 318 Topics in Hispanic Film (A Spn 223L or permission of instructor) *
A Spn 320 20th Century Spanish Literature (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 325 The Hispanic Short Story (A Spn 223L)*
A Spn 326 Spanish-American Poetry and Theatre (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 333 Hispanic Literature in Translation (Junior or senior class standing)
A Spn 414 Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 418 Hispanic Cinema and Literature (A Spn 223L) *
A Spn 446 Literature and Human Rights (A Spn 312 and 316) *
A Spn 481 The Generation of �98 (A Spn 312)
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
A Lcs 327/327Z Four Caribbean Writers
A Lcs 319 Twentieth Century Spanish American Literature (In Spanish)
A Lcs 326 Spanish-American Poetry and Theatre (In Spanish)
A Lcs 414 Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean (in Spanish)
A Lcs 415 US Latino Literature and Culture (in Spanish)
Theatre Studies
A Thr 310Z Play Analysis
A Thr 221L Development of Theatre and Drama 1
A Thr 222L Development of Theatre and Drama 2
A Thr 224L Contemporary Issues in Modern Drama
A Thr 225L American Theatre History
A Thr 228 Voices of Diversity in Contemporary Theatre and Drama
A Thr 239L Great Drama on Film and Video
A Thr 322 Development of Theatre and Drama III
A Thr 350 Directing 1
A Thr 407 Scriptwriting
A Thr 430 Contemporary Theatre
A Thr 456 Seminar in Dramatic Literature
Women�s Studies
A Wss 202 Introduction to Lesbian and Gay Studies
A Wss 220 Introduction to Feminist Theory
A Wss 240 Classism, Racism, Sexism
A Wss 218 Constructed Image: Women and the Media
A Wss 450 Literature of Feminism
A Wss 465 Feminist Theory
Degree Requirements for the Major in English (36 credits) for students who matriculate for fall 2004 or thereafter
Twelve credits from required courses: 205Z, 210, 305Z, 310; an additional nine credits from 200-400 level; an additional nine credits from 300-400 level; and six credits from 400 level
Additional Requirements
A grade of C or higher in A Eng 210, or permission of instructor, is required in order to register for A ENG 310 and most 400-level courses in English.
Honors Program
The honors program in English is designed to promote intellectual exchange and community among able English majors and to prepare them to do independent work. Successful completion of the program earns an Honors Certificate in English and nomination for graduation with "Honors in English" from the University.
Admission to the honors program is through a competitive selection process. Application for the honors program is normally made in the spring semester of the sophomore year to the honors program coordinator. For admission, students should have completed 12 credits in English, including A Eng 210 and one 300-level course. Students should have an overall average of at least 3.25 and 3.50 in English. The honors committee may waive the entry requirements where appropriate. Transfer students may apply upon acceptance to the University.
To remain in the honors program students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 in English courses and a minimum 3.25 overall. Any student who leaves the honors program is held responsible for the English major requirements.
The Departmental Honors Committee reviews applications and admissions, monitors the progress of honors students, and evaluates the honors thesis. Upon students' completion of the requirements, the honors committee recommends candidates for the degree with honors in English.
Degree Requirements for Honors in English (37 credits)
Nine credits from major core courses: 205Z, 210, 310
A minimum of thirteen credits from required courses: 398Z (3) or 305Z, 399Z (4), 498 (3), 499 (3)
Nine credits from 200-400 level
Six credits from 300-400 level
Combined B.A./M.A. Program
The combined B.A./M.A. program in English provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of the undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of their junior year.
The combined program requires a minimum of 141 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all university and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minor requirements, the minimum 90-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all university and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 9 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.
Students are considered undergraduates until completion of 120 graduation credits and satisfactory completion of all B.A. requirements. Upon meeting B.A. requirements, students are automatically considered graduate students.
Students may be admitted to the combined degree program at the beginning of their junior year, or after the successful completion of 56 credits but no later than the accumulation of 100 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration. Students will be admitted upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the department.
Degree Requirements for the Major in English for students who matriculate prior to fall 2004
B.A. General Sequence: 36 credits in English, at least 18 of them in courses at the 300 level or above, including the following in recommended order of study.
3 credits of:
A Eng 121L
3 credits of:
A Eng 210, Introduction to English Studies
3 credits from the following Generic Survey courses:
A Eng 251, British Poetic Traditions I
A Eng 260L, Forms of Poetry
A Eng 261L, American Poetic Tradition
A Eng 291L British Literary Traditions I
A Eng 295L Classics of Western Literature
A Eng 323 Nineteenth Century American Novel
A Eng 324 Twentieth Century American Novel
A Eng 325L American Drama
A Eng 351 Technology, Media, Performance
A Eng 355 Studies in Film
A Eng 357 Studies in Drama
A Eng 358 Studies in Poetry
A Eng 359 Studies in Narrative
3 credits from the following Author courses:
A Eng 342 Study of an Author or Authors Before mid-Eighteenth Century
A Eng 343 Studies in an Author or Authors after mid-Eighteenth Century
A Eng 344 Early Shakespeare
A Eng 345 Late Shakespeare
A Eng 346 Studies in Shakespeare
A Eng 348 Milton
A Eng 352 Study of a British Author
A Eng 353 Study of an American Author
A Eng 354 Comparative Study of Authors
3 credits from Writing courses on the 300 level or above:
A Eng 300Z Expository Writing
A Eng 301Z Critical Writing
A Eng 302Z Creative Writing
A Eng 303Z Argumentative and Persuasive Writing
A Eng 304Z Forms of Creative Writing
A Eng 305Z Studies in Writing About Texts
A Eng 404Z Writing Drama
3 credits from the following courses in Literature of a Subculture or Cultural Studies:
A Eng 240L Growing Up in America
A Eng 362 Critical Approaches to Gender and Sexuality in Literature
A Eng 366 Critical Approaches to Ethnicity in Literature
A Eng 367 Jewish American Literature
A Eng 368L Women Writers
A Eng 369 African American Literature
A Eng 371 Regional Studies in British Literature
A Eng 372 Transnational Literature
A Eng 373 Literature of the Americas
A Eng 385 Topics in Cultural Studies
6 credits from Period Courses:
A Eng 421 Literature of the Middle Ages
A Eng 422 Literature of the Early Renaissance
A Eng 423 Literature of the Later Renaissance
A Eng 425 Literature of the Restoration
A Eng 426 The Romantic Period
A Eng 427 The Victorian Period
A Eng 428 Twentieth Century British and Irish
A Eng 432 American Literature to 1815
A Eng 433 American Literature 1815-1865
A Eng 447 The Historical Imagination
The remaining 12 credits required for the English major may be selected either from courses not taken in the above list or from the following:
Electives
Writing
A Eng 102ZIntroduction to Creative Writing
A Eng 105ZIntroduction to Writing in English
A Eng 202Z Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
A Eng 205Z Introduction to Writing in English Studies
Introductory Literature: Reading
A Eng 144L Reading Shakespeare
Criticism and Theory
A Eng 310 Studies in Contemporary Theory
A Eng 410 Topics in Literary and Cultural Theory
Linguistics and Language
A Eng 216 Traditional Grammar and Usage
Literature Electives of General Interest
A Eng 221 The Bible as Literature
A Eng 223 The Short Story
A Eng 226 Study of a Literary Theme, Form, or Mode
A Eng 242 Science Fiction
A Eng 243 Literature and Film
A Eng 350 Contemporary Writers at Work
A Eng 412 Topics in Film or Drama [Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 416 Topics in Gender, Sexuality or Class [A Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 419 Topics in Technology, Media or Performance [A Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 465 Topics in Ethnic Literatures in Cultural Contexts [A Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 449 Topics in Comparative Literatures and Cultures [A Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 460 Topics in Transnational Studies [A Eng 210 is a prerequisite]
A Eng 465 A Eng 490 Internship
A Eng 497 Independent Study and Research in English
The Writing Sequence
B.A. Writing Sequence: 36 credits in English, including the following 21 credits in this recommended order of study:
3 credits selected from one of the following reading courses, preferably the Writing Intensive version (catalog number with �E� suffix):
A Eng 121 Reading Literature
A Eng 122 Reading Prose Fiction
A Eng 123 Reading Drama
A Eng 124 Reading Poetry
A Eng 202Z Introduction to Writing:
Creative and Persuasive (Poetics &
Rhetoric)
A Eng 210 Introduction to Literary Study
May be taken concurrently with
A Eng 202Z.
A Eng 303Z Forms of Argumentative and
Persuasive Writing
A Eng 304Z Forms of Creative Writing
A Eng 350 Contemporary Writers at Work
A Eng 450 Special Topics in Rhetoric
and Poetics
The remaining 15 credits must be taken from English course work outside the writing sequence, including at least 6 credits at or above the 300- level. Sequence courses may be repeated for English credit with permission of Director.
Degree Requirements for Honors in English (37 credits)
Students in the honors program complete 37 credits as follows:
English 210, English 305Z or 398Z, English 399 or a 500- or 600-level course relevant to the thesis topic to be taken as advised during the senior year; English 498 and 499, and 21 additional credits distributed along the lines laid down for the major. Fulfillment of the honors program waives the regular requirements of the English major. To remain in the honors program students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 in English courses and a minimum 3.25 overall. Any student who leaves the honors program is held responsible for the English major requirements.
