Department of English Composition, Literature & Professional Writing

EN Site - Literature - Courses

Course Descriptions & Outcomes
Other Course Information

If fairly new to the study of Literature, students might commence their engagement by taking EN190, Introduction to Literature, a course which introduces them to the three major genres of the broad field: short fiction, poetry, and drama. Through EN190, students gain an introductory appreciation for particular works, learning essential terms and elements, developing keen habits of critical reading, and engaging in lively discussions of stories, poems, and plays. Some sections of 190 provide students with an opportunity to present relevant aspects of their own literary heritage, whether that be European, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Latin American, or other cultural context; such informal presentations introduce valuable variety at the introductory level, empowering students as interpreters and representatives of their own literary heritage vis a vis more traditional Western canons. All these elements of literature can be experienced by students who have achieved an assessment level of RD120.

Course Objectives

Identify and appreciate a variety of literary genres
Use various literary terms to discuss and analyze representative texts
Respond to and analyze literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of literary traditions and genres
Value the contribution of literature to individual intellectual development

Another course open to students who have not yet completed EN101 or 101A with a grade of C or better is EN122, entitled Mythology: The Secret Language. EN122 engages students in the study of the major myths and symbols of Creation, the Voyage of the Hero, the Earth Mother, the Trickster, the Founding of the City, and Wars, among other motifs. Emphases in the course are on mythology of the ancient world and comparisons made with American Indian, African, and other folk tales. An interdisciplinary reading course, EN122 is of special relevance to students interested in the theories of Freud, Jung, and Erikson, who suggest that myths are the secret language of the unconscious mind. Likewise, the course is relevant to students of art, history, literature, and religion, as it offers them essential background information in their fields. Students in EN122 will learn to identify the characteristics of mythic literature, to respond to and analyze such mythic texts, and to demonstrate comprehension of and appreciation for the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of a variety of mythic literature.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of mythic literature
Use various literary terms to discuss and analyze representative texts
Respond to and analyze mythic texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of a variety of mythic literature

EN135, The Black Experience in American Literature, holds the prerequisite that students have completed EN101 or 101A, or have obtained the consent of the department. This course treats the experiences of African Americans as they are represented by American authors. Selected novels, short stories, drama, poetry, and essays are studied to determine the image of Africans Americans in the literature. Students in EN135 will learn to identify the characteristics of African American literature, to respond to and analyze such texts, and to demonstrate comprehension of and appreciation for the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of a variety of literature representing African Americans and their experiences.

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Most, if not all, 200-level Literature courses require that students have earned a C or better in EN101 or 101A. Students interested in such courses should seek the consent of the professor or the department, particularly if they have not completed the pre-requisite.

EN200, Special Topics in Literature, presents the exploration of a particular region, author, period, or genre; the content and approach of this course depend upon the professor’s special emphases and proposal. Furthermore, for regional literatures, foreign and domestic travel may be an optional component of the course. One version of the course offered since its creation includes a survey of Caribbean Literature.

EN201 introduces students to World Literature, focusing on Drama, Poetry, Fiction, and other Prose forms from ancient times to the mid-17th century. While students continue such approaches applied in EN190 as literary analysis, discussion, and interpretive writing, EN201 also engages them in appreciation of early literatures from around the World, emphasizing the varieties of expression of the human spirit. This is an excellent foundational course in the sense that much post 17th century literature alludes to themes and traditions explored in EN201. In addition to continuing the study of literary terms, authors, genres, and themes, EN201 offers students an opportunity to understand the political, socio-cultural and historical contexts of world literature from the earliest writing to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of world literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from antiquity to the mid-17th century
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of world literature from antiquity to the mid-17th century
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations.

While EN201 covers early literatures from around the world, EN202 treats the Drama, Poetry, Fiction, and other prose forms from the Age of Reason to the present. Both 201 and 202 engage students in the rich variety of literatures from diverse sources; however, 202 brings them face to face with 20th century materials, including so-called postcolonial literatures, whether from Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Japan, or elsewhere. In a period of such diversity in literary expression, the emphases of study become comparative and relative, while the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts become multi-ethnic in the extreme. Students become increasingly aware of the power that world literature wields in our highly complex 21st century experience.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of world literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from the mid-17th century to the present
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of world literature from the mid-17th century to the present
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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EN204 concentrates on Asian American literature, from its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to the present moment. This course offers an introductory study of Asian American writers and their work, focusing on the literary, historical, cultural, social, and political contexts of the authors and the literature. As is the case with other 200-level Literature courses, EN204 holds the prerequisite that students have earned a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or, that they obtain the consent of the English Department.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of Asian-American literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from the turn of the 20th century to the present
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of Asian-American literature from the turn of the 20th century to the present
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN208, Women in Literature, presents a study of the role of women in literature from the Greek to modern periods. The emphases in this course are on the literary, social, historical, cultural, and critical influences pertaining to women in the world. Students engaged in study in EN208 will identify the characteristics of literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes of literature by and about women. As in other 200-level literature courses, EN208 students will analyze and evaluate texts, demonstrate critical reading of the literature, and apply appropriate academic style in writing about these works by and about women. Likewise, they will formulate connections among individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of literary traditions, authors, genres and themes of literature by and about women
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of literature by and about women
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN209, The Bible as Literature, engages student in Biblical literary traditions, authors, genres and themes. Besides analyzing Biblical texts, students will develop an understanding of the political, socio-cultural and historical contexts of the Bible. EN209 comprises a survey of major books of the Old and New Testaments as considered from literary and historical approaches. The course attends to biblical themes, symbols, and archetypes that have influenced subsequent Western literature, from Dante’s day to the present.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of Biblical literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to and analyze Biblical texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of the Bible
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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EN210, Survey of American Nature Writing, treats the experience of the natural world recorded in journals, essays, nonfiction narratives, and poetry. The course stresses the emotions, values and attitudes evoked by the American landscape. In addition, EN210 features such themes as the interrelation of nature and culture, the impact of land on personal and social identity, and the symbolic value of wilderness. Besides reading and analyzing texts, students will keep nature journals, and pay stylistic attention to the blending of factual observation, imaginative storytelling, existential self-reflection, and poetic insight.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of American nature and environmental literature
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of American nature and environmental literature
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN211 and 212 are survey courses covering American Literature more generally. EN211 studies the representative poetry and prose from the beginnings of the literature to the mid-19th century. Offered customarily in the Fall, this course presents students with the opportunity of learning the characteristics of American literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes from this early period of American literature.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of American literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from the earliest known texts to the mid-19th century
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of world literature from the earliest known texts to mid-19th century
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

Offered in the Spring, and naturally following EN211, EN212 treats representative American Poetry and Prose from the mid-19th century to the present. This course offers the study of characteristics of American literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes pertaining to this later period of American literature. As they do in EN211, students in EN212 will engage in critical reading and analysis of a variety of texts, learning to comprehend the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of the literature of the 19th and 20th centuries in America. Both EN211 and 212 contain the prerequisite of a C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of American literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from the mid-19th century to the present
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of world literature from the mid-19th century to the present
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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Surveys of British Literature are offered in the sequence presented by EN213 and EN214. The first course features British prose and poetry from the Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the mid-18th century. In En213, students learn to identify the characteristics of British literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes in this earlier period of British Literature.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of British literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from its beginnings to the mid-18th century
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of British literature from its beginnings to the mid-18th century
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

In EN214, students engage in critical reading and interpretive discussion of British Poetry and Prose from the mid-18th century to the present. This engagement in the literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes of the later period of British Literature enables students to forge connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of British literary traditions, authors, genres and themes from the mid-18th century to the present
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of British literature from the mid-18th century to the present
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN215 is entitled Masterpieces of Asian Literature. The course involves study of epics, drama, poetry, stories, novels, and essays of Near East, Southeast, and Far East Asia. Students in EN215 read and discuss texts for class discussion, preparing papers in areas with special appeal to their own interests. In addition, students learn to identify the characteristics of Asian literary traditions, authors, genres, and themes; the course also instructs them to understand the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of Asian literature. EN215 does hold the prerequisite of a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or the consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of Asian literary traditions, authors, genres and themes
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of Asian literature
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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EN216, The American Novel, presents a study of the particular genre from the Colonial through the Romantic and modern periods of American literary history. The emphases of this course are the literary, historical, cultural, aesthetic, and critical influences on the American novel as form. EN216 also stipulates the prerequisite of a C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the characteristics of the American novel’s traditions, authors, and themes from the Colonial period to the present
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of the American novel from the Colonial period to the present
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN217, Literature of the Holocaust, examines the experience of the Holocaust through poetry, drama, the novel, and the diary. Emphases include the literary responses of individual survivors and of witnesses, as well as the literature of atrocity that the Holocaust evoked. Historical background of the Holocaust is recommended, but not required, of prospective students of EN217. This course also contains the prerequisite of a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Film and Literature is the title and focus of EN220, which presents a comparative study of films and the literary sources upon which they are based. This course places special attention on the problems of adapting literature to film, as well as on the basic differences between the two forms of human expression. Students in EN220 will learn to identify the fundamentals of filmmaking and analysis to study film as a genre in the literary tradition. Likewise, they will gain an understanding of how the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of literature translate into film. EN220 also contains the prerequisite of a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the fundamentals of film making and analysis to study film as a genre in the literary tradition
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding how the political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of literature translate into film making and analysis

EN 221, The Short Story, is a study of the short story in world literature with emphasis on the literary form. Students will examine the basic elements of fiction as they appear in short stories. Concentration will be on the literary analysis of short stories from a variety of critical perspectives. PRE-REQUISITE: A grade of C or better in EN 101 or EN 101A or consent of department. Three hours lecture/discussion each week. 3 semester hours.

Course Objectives

Identify the evolving characteristics of the short story genre from its beginnings to the contemporary period
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the political, socio-cultural or historical contexts of the short story from its beginnings to the contemporary period
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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EN230, Introduction to Modern Drama, presents a survey of dramatic literature of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The course explores the significant achievements of American, British, and European playwrights, including the sub-genres of naturalism, expressionism, and the theater of the absurd. Furthermore, EN230 engages students in the identification of the evolving characteristics of the genre of Western drama’s tradition from the mid-18th century to the contemporary period.
EN230 also contains the prerequisite of a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the evolving characteristics of the genre of Western drama’s tradition from the mid-eighteenth century to the contemporary period
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the multi-cultured and multi-ethnic political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of Western drama from the mid-eighteenth century to the contemporary period
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

EN231, Introduction to Modern Poetry, is offered at Rockville Campus, and through Distance Learning (online). This course provides an introduction to British and American poetry of the 20th century, though it ranges back into the mid-19th century to explore the roots of the Modern (mainly in Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, as well as their British counter-parts). Students in EN231 learn to identify the characteristics of Modern British and American poetry, as well as to develop an appreciation for the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of the genre. Besides focusing on representative works by such traditionally studied figures as E.A. Robinson, Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Robert Lowell, Gerard Manley Hopkins, William Butler Yeats, W.H. Auden, and Dylan Thomas, EN231 treats important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, such as Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen; likewise, the American poets known for their Modernism, such as Stevens, Pound, Williams, Moore, Stein, Cummings, and Loy are joined by critical but lesser known figures: Stevie Smith, Kenneth Rexroth, Hart Crane, Louis Zukovsky, Sterling Brown, and Theodore Roethke, among others. The resulting course is both foundational in its treatment of seminal figures of Modernism and the modern in British and American poetry, as well as increasingly diverse in its inclusion of poetry more multi-ethnic in its origins. EN231 also contains the prerequisite of a grade of C or better in EN101 or 101A, or consent of the department.

Course Objectives

Identify the evolving characteristics of the genre of poetry from the mid-eighteenth century to the contemporary period
Use various literary terms to discuss, interpret, and analyze representative texts
Respond to, analyze, and evaluate literary texts
Demonstrate critical reading of texts and use a style appropriate for academic discourse by writing multi-page papers
Show an understanding of the multi-cultured and multi-ethnic political, socio-cultural, and historical contexts of poetry from the mid-eighteenth century to the contemporary period
Formulate connections between individual texts and a variety of literary interpretations

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Other Literature Information

Section Course Coordinator - Professor Denise Folwell

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