Professors Hanstedt, Heller, Hoffman, Kuchar (Chair), Schultz,Turpin; Associate Professors Almeder, Carter, Cooper,W. Larson-Harris, McGlaun, Stewart,Whiteside; Assistant Professors Khoo, Mallavarapu, McGraw,Melican,Tenbrunsel;TeachingAssociate D.Selby
The English Department at Roanoke College houses three majors: Communication Studies, Creative Writing and Literary Studies. All three majors share a common required foundational course, Rhetoric 125: Texts, Rhetoric and Media. See separate listings under Communication Studies, Creative Writing, and Literary Studies for the requirements for the majors and minors in these fields.
220 Special Topics
Critical reading and literary analysis of major texts surrounding
a focused topic of particular interest to the introductory study
of literature. A variety of genres (poetry, prose, and drama, as
relevant) will be included. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
240 British Literature
Critical reading and literary analysis of major texts and genres
(poetry, prose, and drama) across periods in the British tradition.
(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
250 American Literature
Critical reading and literary analysis of major texts and genres
(poetry, prose, and drama) across periods in the American tradition.
(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
256 The Art and History of Film
Critical study of selected films drawn from a variety of periods
and national cinemas. The course will focus on the elements
of film and how directors use these elements to achieve their
effects and make their meanings. Works will be placed within
the history of cinema, allowing attention to how the elements
of film art have developed over time. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3hrs/wk.
260 World Literature
Critical reading and literary analysis of major texts and genres
(poetry, prose, and drama) across periods in world literature. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
301 Special Studies in Language and Literature
Concentrated study of a special topic. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
302 Southern Literature
An in-depth survey of major Southern writers and literary
trends from the mid-19th century to the present, with emphasis
on such figures as Faulkner, Capote, Williams, McCullers,
Flannery O’Connor, etc. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 250 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
304 Appalachian Literature
An in-depth survey of the rich body of literature from the
Appalachian region of the United States. The course places the
literature in both a cultural and historical context. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET125, ENGL 250 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
305 Women Writers
A study of literature by women from Sappho to the 20th
century, including all genres of writing. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
308 Author Studies
Concentrated study of a single author or the comparative study
of two or three authors. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
310 Literatures of the African Diaspora
An introduction to oral and written literatures of the African
Diaspora. Places some of the world’s important black writers
(DuBois, Hurston, Cesaire, Walcott, Morrison, etc.) in historical
and cultural context, with an emphasis on patterns and
genres shared across national and linguistic boundaries. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
312 Studies in the Cross-Cultural Imagination
An in-depth examination of the acts of reading and writing
across cultural boundaries. Topics of focus will vary and will be
selected from among the following fields of cross-cultural literary
inquiry: Ethnic American literatures, postcolonial literatures,
and comparative literature. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
315 Research Methods and Critical Perspectives
An introduction to the methods of literary study that engages
major debates and issues in the discipline, approaches to the
elements and conventions of genre, and a sampling of literary
perspectives and their critical applications. Students will learn
to integrate their arguments with critical sources, bringing the
critics’ approaches to bear in the interpretation and appreciation
of literary texts. This course will help students develop the
skills necessary to produce a well researched, scholarly essay.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, and one additional 200-level ENGL literature
course.
320 Basic Linguistics
The scientific study and description of language according to
the principles of modern linguistics. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
(Cross-listed with LING 320 and ANTH 320)
321 Advanced Grammar and Style
A study of the structure of contemporary English grammar.
Also explores questions of style and usage. Students analyze
and diagram sentences and apply principles of grammar and
style to their own and others’ writing. Designed for English
majors and for those preparing to teach language and communication
skills. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: HNRS 105, INQ 110, INQ 120 or permission
322 Composition Theory and Practice
Both an advanced composition course and an introduction to
theories of writing and methods of teaching writing, to
include perspectives on composing processes, social contexts
and purpose for writing, theories of teaching, and successful
classroom approaches to creating, responding to, and evaluating
composition assignments. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
323 The English Language
A critical and historical study of the forms and usages in English
speech and writing. (Recommended for those planning to
teach English.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
330 Chaucer
Reading and analysis of The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and
Criseyde. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ENGL 240 and one other 200-level ENGL literature
course.
332 Shakespeare
Analysis of selected plays with oral interpretation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Film Laboratory: 2-3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
(Cross-listed with THEA 332).
333 The Literature of Tudor and Stuart England
(Virginia Program at Oxford University)
A study of the literature and culture of Tudor and Stuart England
through lectures and seminars, offered off-campus at Oxford
University and only in conjunction with History 233. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
334 Studies in Medieval Literature
Critical study of the literature and culture of Medieval England.
The course will focus on a variety of medieval texts from
both the Old and Middle English periods. The course may
focus on a particular theme, genre, or set of authors. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
335 Studies in Renaissance Literature
Critical study of selected works from the Renaissance period.
The course may focus on a particular theme, genre, or set of
authors, or form a focused survey of the period. Works will be
placed in relationship to the literary, social, and historical movements
of the era and to the current critical issues surrounding it.
(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
336 Studies in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature
Critical study of selected works from the Restoration and
18th-century period. The course may focus on a particular
theme, genre, or set of authors, or form a focused survey of the
period. Works will be placed in relationship to the literary,
social, and historical movements of the era and to the current
critical issues surrounding it. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
337 Studies in Romanticism
Critical study of selected works from the period of literary
Romanticism, 1780 to 1835.The course may focus on a particular
theme, genre, or set of authors, or form a focused survey
of the period. Works will be placed in relationship to the literary,
social, and historical movements of the era and to current
critical issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
338 Studies in Victorian Literature
Critical study of selected works from the Victorian period.
The course may focus on a particular theme, genre, or set of
authors, or form a focused survey of the period. Works will be
placed in relationship to the literary, social, and historical
movements of the era and to the current critical issues surrounding
it. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
339 Studies in 19th-Century American Literature
Critical study of selected works from 19th-century American
literature. Course may focus on particular theme, genre, or set
of authors, or form a focused survey of the period. Works will
be placed in relationship to the literary, social, and historical
movements of the era and to current critical issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 250 and one other 200-level
ENGL literature course.
350 Genre Studies
Critical study of a single genre of literature, such as autobiography,
epic, literary non-fiction, lyric, romance, and short fiction.
Works will be placed in relationship to literary, social, and
historical movements and to current critical issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
351 Studies in 20th-Century Fiction or Poetry
Critical study of selected works from the 20th century. The
course may focus on a particular theme, genre, or set of authors,
or form a focused survey of the period. Works will be placed
in relationship to the literary, social, and historical movements
of the era and to the current critical issues surrounding it. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
352 Studies in Contemporary Fiction or Poetry
Critical study of selected works of contemporary fiction or
poetry. The course may focus on a particular theme, genre, or
set of authors. Works will be placed in relationship to the
literary, social, and historical movements and to current critical
issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
354 Studies in Drama
Critical study of selected works of drama. The course may focus
on a particular time period and/or country of origin, or form a
focused survey of the genre. Works will be placed in relationship
to relevant literary, social, and historical movements and to
current critical issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
356 Studies in Film
Critical study of selected films. The course may focus upon a
particular theme, genre, or set of filmmakers. Films will be
placed in relation to social and historical movements and to
current critical issues. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ENGL 256.
360 Studies in World Literature
A brief history of the concept of world literature and an
overview of current debates about the meaning and significance
of world literature today. We will analyze texts outside
the British and American canon, focusing at the instructor’s
discretion on a specific theme, author, time period, genre, or
national literature. We will pay attention to the importance of
location and social and historical context when it comes to
understanding and appreciating literature from different parts
of the world. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250 and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
390 Studies In Literary Criticism
A study of central texts in the history and theory of literary
criticism from the Greeks to the present. The course will focus
on the ends and means of critical discussion and writing, the
nature of critical theory, and the methods and languages of
critical discourse. (1)
Lecture 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250 and one other 200-
level ENGL literature course.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study
Guided in-depth study of a topic in literature, language, or critical theory, or film leading to a substantial paper, series of essays, or creative project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200- level ENGL literature course.
411-412 Seminar
An intensive study of work from English,American, and world literature, examining both their historical settings and their interrelationships. (Required of English majors in the senior year. Students must have completed a total of 25 units before enrolling in ENGL 411. Students wishing to complete their degree program early must meet the following criteria in order to enroll in ENGL 411: (1) have completed at least 20 units, and (2) have an overall GPA of at least 3.25 and a major GPA of at least 3.5. Students who do not meet the stipulated criteria may submit an appeal to the Department Seminar Subcommittee. No credit given for one term. NOTE: Final grade for year given on a cumulative basis. (1, 1)
6 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Senior standing or permission; ENGL 411 is a prerequisite for ENGL 412.
416 English Internship
Experience in a field of applied writing through programs such as the Washington Semester, public relations, government communications or policy, or various aspects of the media. (1)
Prerequisites: RHET 125, ENGL 240 or 250, and one other 200- level ENGL literature course.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisite:To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)