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English Courses

View available descriptions and outcomes for English courses in the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department at Southern Polytechnic State University below.

Visit the Schedule of Classes to find out who is teaching each course in the current semester, then visit the Faculty and Staff Directory and click on the instructors' names for syllabi and assigned textbooks.

Visit Academic Advising to download your degree program's advising form.

If you're not majoring in an English, Technical Communication & Media Arts degree program, consult your major department for core requirements in this department.

ENGL 1101 English Composition I

3 credit hours

A composition course focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills. Final grade of "C" or better necessary to receive course credit. Special sections of the course may be offered that focus on the needs of those international students for whom English is a second language. Such sections will include a required lab hour in the ATTIC, but they will remain three-credit-hour courses. Also offered as an eCore (online) class.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

demonstrate rhetorical strategies by composing for different audiences, purposes, and contexts;
draft, revise, and edit at a level of proficiency appropriate for first year college writers
work effectively with source material in support of the main point of an essay; and
produce extemporaneous in-class writing at a level of proficiency appropriate for first year college writers.

ENGL 1102 English Composition II

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: "C" or better in ENGL 1101

Note: Some sections of ENGL 1102 offer special topics for writing.

A composition course that develops writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by ENGL 1101, emphasizing interpretation and evaluation, and that incorporates a variety of more advanced research methods. Special sections dealing with a focused topic may be offered for international students for whom English is a second language. Such sections will include a required lab hour in ATTIC, but they will remain three-credit-hour courses. Also offered as an eCore (online) class.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

demonstrate critical thinking skills through writing that analyzes and/or interprets diverse texts;
find and evaluate a range of source material appropriate for use in college-level research;
demonstrate effective and ethical use of source material in support of research-based writing, including integration of original and source-based material and the proper documentation of all source material; and
produce an extended piece of research writing at a level of proficiency appropriate for a college-level writer.

ENGL 2030 Research in Professional and Critical Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

This course provides an introduction to the research methods used by professional writers and by scholars working in literary studies, media studies, and cultural studies. Students explore the relationship between theory and research and learn how to approach writing from a variety of critical perspectives. Students will become familiar with a number of text-based and qualitative research methods. Students also learn digital research methods and apply them to a range of genres.

ENGL 2111 World Literature I

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of world literature from ancient times through the mid-seventeenth century. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas. Also offered as an eCore (online) class.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to World literature from ancient times to the mid-seventeenth century; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2112 World Literature II

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of world literature from the mid-seventeenth century to the present. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to World literature from the mid-seventeenth century to the present; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2120 British Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of British literature. Includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to British literature; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2121 British Literature I

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of British literature from the Old English period through the neoclassical age. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to British literature from the mid-nineteenth century to the present; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2122 British Literature II

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of British literature from the Romantic era to the present. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to British literature from the mid-nineteenth century to the present; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2130 American Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of important works of American Literature. Includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to American Literature; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2131 American Literature I

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of American literature from the pre-colonial period to the mid nineteenth century. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to American Literature from the pre-colonial age to the mid-nineteenth century; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2132 American Literature II

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of American literature from the mid nineteenth century to the present. The course includes a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. The course presents literature as a reflection of culture and the history of ideas. Also offered as an eCore (online) class.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to American Literature from the mid-nineteenth century to the present; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2141 Western Literature I

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of literature of the Western world from the Sumerians through the Renaissance. The course includes drama, poetry, prose fiction, and nonfiction. It emphasizes literature as an art and as a reflection of the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to Western Literature from the Sumerians to the Renaissance; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2142 Western Literature II

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

A survey of literature of the Western world from about 1600 to the present. The course includes drama, poetry, prose fiction, and nonfiction. It emphasizes literature as an art and as a reflection of the history of ideas.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

be aware of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to Western Literature from the Renaissance to the present; and
know how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 2300 African-American Literature and Culture

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

Note: This class can be used in place of ES 1100 Ethnic Studies to satisfy the requirement in Area E, Group 4 of the core curriculum

An introduction to African-American literature in the context of a variety of cultural and historical perspectives. The course includes a variety of activities that draw upon literature, film, music, and live cultural experiences.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

demonstrate an awareness of literary and cultural diversities;
analyze themes and ideas pertinent to African American literature; and
comprehend how historical time and literary movements shape our understanding of literature.

ENGL 3001 Written Communication for International Students

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 and Departmental approval

Designed for international students enrolled in ETCMA degree programs, this class addresses the specific needs of non-native speakers in technical and professional communication to allow them to develop the written communication skills to become effective communicators. This class enhances academic and professional writing skills through project-based activities. Students will develop effective research skills and examine the multiple modes used in writing reports, proposals, and problem-solution essays. Students will develop a sense of tone as well as audience awareness in written communication.

ENGL 3010 Science Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

Examination of the types of writing produced in various scientific professions. Depending on the semester, possible topics may include one or more of the following: environmental writing, public policy documents, and other scientific documents. Cross-listed as TCOM 3010.

ENGL 3015 Environmental Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

Close study of global and more localized environmental issues, including air, water, soil, biotic communities, and impact on and by humans. Students will read works on the relationship between technology, human population, and the environment and will write essays, give an oral report, and complete a research project on environmental topics. Cross-listed as TCOM 3015.

ENGL 3020 Proposal Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently

Theory and practice of writing proposals for business, industry, and non-profit organizations, with emphasis on in-house planning and external grant-seeking proposals. Course covers persuasion theory and strategies while leading students step-by-step through the proposal development process. Students develop skills in gathering and evaluating information, analyzing audiences, collaborating with peers and clients, building persuasive arguments, writing clearly and cogently, and designing visually effective documents. Cross-listed as TCOM 3020.

ENGL 3025 Creative Writing Workshop

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

In this introductory creative writing course, students will study and work with multiple genres such as poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction. The workshop approach will allow students the opportunity to make use of practical writing strategies and peer review. Students will create original compositions for multiple genres.

ENGL 3030 English Grammar for Professional Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102

The syntax of modern English grammar and the study of levels of correctness in Contemporary Standard English for effective writing.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

identify the parts of speech of all words in a sentence;
diagram simple, compound, and complex sentences; and
identify and correct common usage and punctuation errors.

ENGL 3040 Writer's Workshop

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: ENGL 1102

This workshop gives students practice in writing for various audiences, purposes, and contexts. In addition to a workshop forum, this class provides an introduction to contemporary, practical theories of writing.

ENGL 3050 Journalism

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently

Study of technical and scientific reporting, including mass media theory. Emphasis on making technical information understood by a general audience. Students practice many in-house and external forms of writing such as news releases, feature articles, bulletins, brochures, and pamphlets. Cross-listed and COMM 3050.

ENGL 3180 Film as Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Any 2000-level literature course

This course will explore film as a contemporary literary expression. Students will consider the historical development of film as a distinct genre and its relationship to the literary forms of narrative, plot, setting, and character.

ENGL 3100 Rhetoric: History, Theory, and Practice

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or concurrently

Introduction to rhetoric as the relationship between thought and expression. Examines connections between rhetoric and writing, between a public act and a personal thinking process, by exploring classical and contemporary accounts of rhetorical history and theory. Students apply theory to their own writing as they explore the relationship between writers, readers, and subjects and the range of options they have available to them as communicators. Cross-listed as COMM 3100.

ENGL 4170 Media and Narrative

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Any 2000-level literature course

Students will explore the relationship between the form and content of narration. The course will look at a range of media within a historical perspective including (but not limited to): newspapers, novels, film, radio, television, and various digital media. Students will explore how media theory affects literary studies, and vice versa.

Course outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to

demonstrate familiarity with narrative theory;
explain the connection between narrative form and narrative content;
define the narrative structure of a given medium; and
analyze a work a literature as a media object.

ENGL 4800 Project Portfolio

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: TCOM 4030; Senior standing; completion of 24 hours of TCOM courses

This course examines portfolios as professional tools for technical communicators. The course includes portfolio and writing theory along with a collaborative workshop environment. Students develop a professional portfolio of sample documents based on course project, internship experiences, and/or work history. In addition, students write a reflective paper examining their growth and maturity as technical communicators. Interviewing techniques, resume writing, and the job search process are included in the course. Cross-listed as TCOM 4800.

ENGL 4901-4903 Special Topics

1 to 3 hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

Special topics in literature, professional writing, and professional communication. Offered by the department at its discretion.

English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department | Southern Polytechnic State University
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