Course Descriptions (Per Subject)

ENGL 101.  Writing Seminar.  5. 
Focuses on active reading comprehension strategies. Students examine claims, evidence, and rhetorical strategies, and learn to write for specific audiences and purposes in genres that value their own experiences and observations as evidence. They develop strategies for improving sentence and paragraph structure, revision and editing practices, collaboration with other writers, reflection on their own writing processes, and understanding of how others ideas are used and attributed in different writing contexts. Minimum grade to move on to ENGL 102: C-. Fulfills English 101 requirement (2019).

ENGL 102.  College Reading and Writing: Many Voices.  5. 
Gives students practice in reading and analyzing texts in a variety of genres and disciplines and in listening to the voices of authors from diverse backgrounds who represent a wide range of experiences and identities. Students learn to examine the contexts within which written communication takes place and craft their own communication in genres that value the use of multiple and credible sources. This course also builds students skills in research, genre-appropriate conventions of documentation and citation, organization and sentence structure, and revision and editing strategies. Normally required in first year. Fulfills College Reading and Writing Requirement (1998). English 102 requirement (2019).

ENGL 141.  Intermediate Composition.  4. 
This course is for students who wish to reinforce the academic reading, writing and thinking skills introduced in ENGL 101 and ENGL 102. Emphasizing analysis, persuasion and revision, it builds on basic knowledge of academic writing conventions and strengthens students ability to compose clear, concise and coherent prose in the writing situations they face in other courses and beyond college. The course also includes significant research.

ENGL 150.  Special Topics.  1-8. 
May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.

ENGL 151.  Historical Perspectives (Variable Title).  4. 
Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills historical perspectives requirement (1998 & 2019).

ENGL 153. Amazing Stories. 4.

Entry-level course designed to help students learn about English, media studies, and creative writing through engaging and approachable stories, films, TV, video games, and/or comics. Rotating topics, such as: monster studies, post-apocalyptic narratives, mysteries, aliens, or gothic literature. No prerequisites. Fulfills Arts/Humanities requirement (2019). 

ENGL 200.  Introduction to Literary Studies.  4. 
Introduction to the study of English; a survey of historical periods and major critical schools. Required of all sophomore majors. Must be taken at Guilford College.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 205.  Introduction to Creative Writing.  4. 
Introduction to the fundamentals of writing creatively in various genres.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 206.  Introduction to Poetry.  4. 
Focus on analysis of poetry with attention to both formal and interpretive issues.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 207.  Introduction to Fiction.  4. 
Study of narrative conventions in the short story and novel.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 208.  Creative Nonfiction.  4. 
Reading, analysis and writing in various prose nonfiction genres, including memoir, personal essay, lyric and invested forms. Emphasis on peer-review and workshopping of student manuscripts, as well as on genre-specific questions of accuracy, authenticity and artful design.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 210.  Playwriting Workshop (THEA 244).  4. 
Twelve weekly scenes read and critiqued in class and a one-act play as a final project. Exploration of various elements of playwriting such as conflict, manipulation of chronology, life studies, character exposition and development, found language, passive participation in and transcription of actual events.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 211.  Poetry Workshop.  4. 
In-class critiques of student poems, reviews of contemporary poetry magazines and collections, craft discussions with visiting writers, evolution of literary principles, manuscript preparation.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102, Historical Perspectives, ENGL 206 or instructor permission.

ENGL 212.  Fiction Workshop.  4. 
In-class critiques of student writing, reviews of contemporary literary magazines and short story collections, craft discussions with visiting writers, evolution of critical principles, manuscript preparation.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102, Historical Perspectives, and ENGL 207 or instructor permission.

ENGL 215.  Play Analysis (THEA 215).  4. 
Explores the methodology of script analysis used by actors, designers and directors as they prepare to execute a stage production. Techniques at the heart of the course lay the foundation for thoughtful understanding of literature and perceptive creativity in productions that effectively serve a text. Students also develop the interpretive skills needed by artists working in a theatre that responds to and addresses issues of oppression and social justice. Fulfills humanities and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements (1998). Arts/ humanities and evaluating systems and environments requirements (2019).

ENGL 218.  Fantasy & Science Fiction Literature.  4. 
Reading, analysis, and writing in multiple genres of 21st century speculative prose, including fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, and magical realism. Emphasis on storytelling devices and literary techniques, peer-review and workshop ping of student manuscripts, and the cultural and political purposes of contemporary speculative action.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 221.  British Literature I.  4. 
Intensive study of representative works and survey of issues from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 18th century. Recommended for all beginning majors and prospective majors.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 222.  British Literature II.  4. 
Intensive study of major literary figures and changing forms from the Romantic period to the present.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 223.  Shakespeare.  4. 
General introduction to the comedies, histories and/or tragedies.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 225.  American Literature Survey I.  4. 
The American mind in literature from the Puritans to the Civil War.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 226.  American Literature Survey II.  4. 
The American literary tradition from the Civil War to the present.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 228.  American Nature Writing (REL 120).  4. 
Examines literary nature writing in America from the 19th century to the present, with a primary focus on the different ways writers have presented the natural world as sacred. Writings consider both individuals current estrangement from the natural world and possibilities for developing intimacy with the earth through a deep sense of place.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and evaluating systems and environments requirements (2019).

ENGL 230.  African American Literature.  4. 
Literary study focusing on major figures of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Wheatley, Douglass, Hughes, Wright, Hurston, Walker and Morrison.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 250.  Special Topics.  1-8.  

ENGL 260.  Independent Study.  1-8. 
May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels. Work at the 460 level may apply toward departmental honors if prior arrangement is made by student.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 270.  World Literature.  4. 
Study of selected literature from the seven continents.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 272.  World Cinema.  4. 
Explores the craft and cultural significance of contemporary films from East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills arts and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement (2019).

ENGL 275.  Literary Magazine Practicum.  1,2. 
Study and performance of publication processes leading to the production of the campus literary magazine, including writing, editing, design, layout, digital media, promotion and distribution.

Prerequisite: ENMS or CRWT major or minor, or instructor permission. Repeatable.

ENGL 282.  Journalism.  4. 
A hands-on introduction to journalistic writing. All students will be working Guilfordian staffers while learning the fundamentals of news, feature and opinion writing as well as newspaper style. No journalistic experience required.

ENGL 285.  Guilfordian Internship.  1-2. 
Workshop options include editing, website management, layout, graphic design, photography and video. Advanced writing option available to ENGL 282 veterans.

Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Repeatable.

ENGL 286.  Classic American Cinema.  4. 
Study of the craft and cultural significance of key films of the 1930s through the mid-1950s, the golden age of Hollywood.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 287.  Cult Movies.  4. 
Studies the role of cult movies in American culture from the 1930s through the 1990s. Themes include social Darwinism, the Other, conformity, Freudian thanatos, feminism vs. patriarchy and the nature of consciousness. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 288.  Shakespeare and Film.  4. 
Explores Shakespearean plays in relation to films that reconstruct a Shakespearean narrative in an entirely different imaginary realm.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/ humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 290.  Internship.  1-8. 
May also be offered at the 390 level.

ENGL 299.  Craft & Context.  4. 
Introduction to the study of English; a survey of historical periods and major critical schools. Required of all sophomore majors. Must be taken at Guilford College.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 306.  Medieval Literature.  4. 
Studies texts from the earliest period of English literary production (roughly from the fall of Rome to 1485). Genres may include epic, romance, drama, lyric, allegory, hagiography. May also include developing introductory skills in Anglo- Saxon, history of the English language, Middle English or paleography.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 309.  Early Modern Literature.  4. 
Examines one of the most prolific literary periods in the English tradition (roughly 1485- 1700). Texts may include epic or lyric poetry, fiction, essays and tragic, comedic or closet drama. Special emphasis will be given to non- Shakespearean texts.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities requirement (2019).

ENGL 327.  British Romantic Literature.  4. 
Selected British poetry, fiction and non-fiction prose written between 1780 and 1832 with special attention to intellectual and cultural issues such as imagination and perception, nature, aesthetic theory and industrialization, and/ or the relationship between literature and the political/historical issues of the period. These include human rights, abolition and the slave trade, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and reform.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 328.  Victorian Literature.  4. 
Selected British poetry, fiction and non-fiction prose written between 1832 and 1901 with special attention to intellectual and cultural issues such as the divided self, gender, childhood, science and religion, and sexuality. The course also draws attention to the relationship between literature and the political/historical issues of the period including imperialism, the monarchy and the rise of the middle class.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 331.  Black Women Writers.  4. 
Explores a cross-section of the contemporary and historical writings produced by women of African descent primarily in North America but also in South America, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. Includes the novel, short story, poetry, drama, autobiography, narrative, essay, interview, letters, reviews and literary criticism.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 332.  Black Men Writers.  4. 
Explores classic and contemporary novels, short stories, drama, poetry, literary criticism, essays and issues by writers such as Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Amiri Baraka, August Wilson, Randall Kenan, James Baldwin, Yusef Komunyakaa and Nathan McCall.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 334.  African Women Writers.  4. 
Explores a range of literary voices from black and white women writers born in countries such as Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Botswana and Uganda.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements (2019).

ENGL 336.  The Elizabethan Age (HIST 336).  4. 
This course centers on the political, religious and cultural changes in the British Isles between the reign of Henry VIII and the Glorious Revolution. Main topics of discussion include the Reformation and the Civil War (1642- 45).

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities requirement (1998). Arts/humanities and evaluating systems and environments requirements (2019).

ENGL 342.  American Romanticism.  4. 
Study of Irving, Cooper, Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville and Whitman as well as the painting of the era.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 350.  Special Topics.  1-8.  

ENGL 360.  Independent Study.  8.  

ENGL 372.  Modern Poetry.  4. 
Significant 20th century poetry in British and American literature. Includes forms, techniques and themes; addresses poets such as Pound, Eliot and Williams.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities requirement.

ENGL 376.  Contemporary Fiction.  4. 
Survey course that engages students in reading works written in the years following the end of the Vietnam War by authors who live and work outside the United States and who come from a variety of nationalities and ethnicities.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 380.  Rhetoric and Composition.  4. 
A history of rhetorical studies and a survey of major schools of thought, with emphasis on the practice of teaching writing. Includes study of grammar and the history of the English language.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives.

ENGL 382.  Document Design and Professional Communication.  4. 
Introduction to the practice of professional communication and document design for public audiences. Students learn to shape writing and apply visual strategies to create user-centered documents in multiple genres. Includes off-campus work with community partners and training in advanced design software. Intended for students from many disciplines.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills evaluating systems and environments requirement (2019).

ENGL 390.  Internship.  1-8.  

ENGL 400.  Senior Seminar.  4. 
Required of all senior English majors. Rotating seminars in special themes and literary figures. Sample topics include Violence in Early Modern Drama, Melville, and Literature and Ethics. Must be taken at Guilford College.

Prerequisite: ENGL 200 and 20 credits toward the English major (at least 12 credits taken at Guilford, including one 300-level literature course) and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills the Senior Seminar requirement for the Integrative Experience.

ENGL 450.  Special Topics.  1-8.  

ENGL 460.  Independent Study.  1-8.  

ENGL 470.  Senior Thesis.  1-8. 
Work may apply toward departmental honors if prior arrangement is made by student.

ENGL 490.  Departmental Honors.  1-8.