Academic Calendar 2012/2013

course Descriptions • course Descriptions • course Descriptions • course Descriptions • course Descriptions • course DescriptionsENGL-399Writing Literary Non-Fiction3 Credits (45:0:0 hours)This course introduces students to the area of non-fiction prose writingsometimes known as “literary non-fiction” or “literary journalism” oreven “creative non-fiction.” A good literary non-fiction piece is morethan just a reporting of facts (though it does involve careful, thoroughresearch that may include interviewing). Literary non-fiction, unlikemost other genres of non-fiction, harnesses narrative rhythm andstructure. The literary non-fiction writer is free to give expression to adistinctive style, and to interpret the meaning of events from his or herown narrative perspective. Students will practice prose writing skills ofthis sort, read the works of major twentieth century practitioners, andlearn about existing venues for publication of literary non-fiction. Overthe semester, each student will write and revise a feature-length nonfictionarticle of his or her own.Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in 6 credits of 100 level UniversityEnglish except ENGL 108, ENGL 111 and ENGL 199.ENGL-401Studies in Genres3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This course gives students the opportunity to focus on a single genre orto compare two or more genres. Because genre is such a fluid term, theworks studied and approach to genre depends in any given year on theinterests and expertise of the instructor. The course could, for example,focus on a specific type of poem, such as the sonnet or the dramaticmonologue, on a specific type of novel such as the Gothic novel orthe Bildungsroman, on a specific type of drama, such as RestorationComedy, or on a specific type of non-fiction, such as the essay orbiography. Alternatively, students could focus on a genre such as satireand study a variety of types of satiric literature that could includepoems, essays, stories, novels, and drama.Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in 12 credits of 200- or 300-levelEnglish courses.ENGL-402Studies in Authors3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This course focuses on the works of a single author. In any given year,the author studied and the approach to the works depends on theinterests and expertise of the instructor. Through a close examination ofthe works of a single author, students get a better sense of the social andcultural context in which the author lived and worked. Students alsostrengthen their knowledge of how the central ideas and techniques ofthe author developed and changed.Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in 12 credits of 200- or 300-levelEnglish courses.ENGL-403Honours Thesis Project3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This course gives fourth-year Honours English students the opportunityto write an analytical research paper of about 10,000 words. Studentshave regular consultations with their supervisor during this project.Note: English 403 is a degree requirement for Honours Englishstudents. Students must be in the final year of an Honours Englishprogram or obtain consent from the Dean of Arts and Science.ENGL-404Further Studies in Creative Writing3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This seminar course is designed to give students an opportunity toexpand their abilities as creative writers. Students may specialize ina particular genre, such as the short story, or they may write piecesin a variety of genres. Students identify their own interests and workindependently to develop and strengthen their skills and techniques.Work in new genres such as the graphic novel is encouraged. Studentsshould be prepared to submit at least three pieces of their own workfor group discussion over the term and to prepare at least one piece forpossible publication. By the end of the course, every student shouldhave a substantial portfolio of work.Prerequisites: 12 credits of 200- or 300-level English courses; a portfolioof work and the approval of the instructor; a 200- and/or-300 levelwriting course is highly recommended.ENGL-481Post-Colonial Theory and Practice3 Credits (45:0:0 hours)This course surveys the key works in post-colonial theory, validating thestatus of post-colonial literature as a vibrant segment of contemporarywriting in English. Seminal thinkers and significant scholars such asFrantz Fanon, Edward Said, Aime Cesaire, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak,and Robert Young are covered. Post-colonial theory is meaningfullyused as a tool for in-depth analysis of major primary texts, representingvarious regions, political perspectives, and cultural affiliations. Whilemost of the works studied are written in English, post-colonial textstranslated into English may be included. Authors such as ChinuaAchebe, Salman Rushdie, Nadine Gordimer, Arundhati Roy, V.S.Naipaul, and Ahdaf Soueif are studied.Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in 12 credits of 200- or 300-levelEnglish courses.ENGL-489Literary Themes, Traditions, and Phenomena3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This course gives students the opportunity to study works that dealwith a single theme, such as the outsider or decadence; or worksthat exemplify a single tradition, such as naturalism or the Arthuriantradition; or works that exemplify a particular phenomenon, such asimagism or literary forgeries.Prerequisites: 12 credits of 200- or 300-level English courses.ENGL-491Early and Later Middle English3 Credits (0:0:45 hours)This course gives students the opportunity to study in more detailone or more authors and/or genres of Early and Later Middle English.Students have the opportunity to design and undertake independentresearch, write a major paper, lead seminar discussions, and strengthentheir grasp of theoretical concepts relevant to literature written duringthis period. In any given year, the author(s) studied and the approachto the works depends on the expertise of the instructor. For detailedinformation about the current course offering, please consult theEnglish Department.Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in 12 credits of 200- or 300-levelEnglish courses288Grant MacEwan University • A C A D E m I CRefer to the Online Alberta Transfer Guide at www.transferalberta.ca for transfer opportunitiesC A L E N D A R 2012/2013 • www.MacEwan.ca