2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

ENGLISH87105 College Writing (4) WAn intensive introduction to several forms of collegewriting and to the critical thinking and research skillsessential to producing them. This course requires thesubmission of a portfolio that meets standardizedrequirements and is judged proficient by an outside reader.Three hours per week, plus regular conferences with theinstructor. A grade of C or better satisfies the first semesterEnglish requirement. Prerequisite: placement. Offered eachsemester.106 College Writing Workshop (2)(Winter Session)A workshop designed to offer intensive instruction inthe writing of essays around a common theme. Prerequisite:placement on the basis of performance in ENG 105. Agrade of C or better satisfies the first semester Englishrequirement. Offered each Winter Session.107 Practical Grammar (1)(Winter Session)A course in practical grammar, usage, and mechanicscovering the most important rules to follow whenproofreading. Emphasizes application of skills to students’own writing. Offered in selected Winter Sessions.216 The Short Story (3) WAn introduction to the short story focusing primarily oncontemporary and innovative fiction by authors fromdiverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a gradeof C or better and either sophomore status or consent.Offered in selected semesters.222 Modern English Grammar (3)A survey of traditional, structural, Chomskyan andcognitive approaches to grammar. This course includes anintroduction to dialect variation and a review of standardusage. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or better.Does not fulfill General Studies sophomore literaturerequirement. Offered each fall.230 Environmental Literatureand Ecological Reflection (3)(Winter Session)WStudents read and discuss influential works ofenvironmental writing, and then travel to a field locationwhere they engage in the practice of environmental writingthrough a series of reflective and creative writing exercises.A portfolio of student work is published via a coursewebsite. Field locations vary. Not repeatable for additionalcredit without special permission. Prerequisites: ENG 105with C or better and sophomore level literature course orconsent. Offered in selected winter and summer sessions.232 Literature Into Film (3) (A)(Winter Session)An examination of the differences between literary andfilm narrative. Both popular fiction and classics are used inlooking at how plot, characterization, setting, spectacle, andother aspects of storytelling change depending on whetherthe medium is the written word, the stage, or the screen.Adaptations that attempt to preserve significant parts of theoriginal and ones that completely reword it will bereviewed. Also studied are how film versions of a classicwork affect how contemporary audiences read the original.Prerequisite: English 105 with grade of C or better andeither sophomore status or consent. Does not fulfillGeneral Studies sophomore literature requirement. Offeredin selected Winter Sessions.240 Advanced Composition (3) WA course in expository writing which offers opportunitiesto improve skills in designing, drafting, and revising prosefor academic and professional writing projects. It providesinstruction in documented scholarly writing, featurewriting, technical writing and creative nonfiction.Prerequisite: English 105. Offered each semester.242 Writing for Businessand Organizations (3)WCovers the skills needed to write different types ofbusiness and organizational communications, includingletters, e-mail, reports, and proposals. Emphasis is onplanning, drafting, and editing as well as developing aprofessional writing style to achieve results. Prerequisite:ENG 105 and either sophomore status or consent. Doesnot fulfill General Studies sophomore literaturerequirement. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.250 Studies in Literature (3) WSelected topics approach literature from different generic,historical, or methodological perspectives. Versions mayinclude several different media, but the focus will always beon literature. At least 20 pages of writing including at leastone documented essay are required. Prerequisite: ENG 105with a grade of C or better and either sophomore status orconsent. Offered most semesters.251 Diversity in American Literature (3) WAn opportunity to study—and to listen to—voices inAmerican culture that have often been silenced or ignored.The focus is on ethnic groups such as Native American,African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic-American but also includes people marginalized because ofclass, gender, or sexual orientation. Prerequisite: ENG 105with a grade of C or better and either sophomore status orconsent. Offered in selected semesters.259 Literature of Mystery and Detection (3) WA study of the evolution of the mystery and detectivenovel, focusing primarily on American and British writersfrom Poe and Doyle to contemporary novelists.Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or better andeither sophomore status or consent. Offered in selectedsemesters.