Literature Courses || Writing and Language Courses || Co-Ops and Internship Courses || Graduate Courses || Other Courses || Printer-Friendly Version

The English department offers a number of courses that allow students to explore the many facets of literature, language, and writing. Courses in literature and writing are taken by all students at Niagara University as part of their general education requirements and/or as electives. Specific literature and writing courses are required for students pursuing English majors, English and Liberal Arts Education majors, and the Writing minor. Students who major in English or minor in Writing are encouraged to pursue internships or co-op opportunities.

Note: The department of Modern and Classical Languages is now in charge of the American Sign Language courses (ASL 100 and ASL 200). The department of Communication Studies is now in charge of the public speaking courses (SPK 101 and SPK 201)

Want to know when these courses will be offered? Visit our course schedules page for listings by semester. Got questions about what counts for what on your curriculum card? Visit English Demystified.

Need a curriculum card? Visit our NU resources page for a link to all English and English Education curriculum cards.

Literature Courses

ENG 100 Introduction to Literature (WI)
Students will be encouraged to become lifelong readers through examining the basic structural, stylistic, and thematic elements that govern various genres and modes in literature. In reading, discussing and then presenting written analysis, in expository and argumentative papers, students will continue to develop their abilities in analysis and presentation of self-interpretive and researched conclusions. -three semester hours

As of Fall 2007, students may not take a challenge exam for ENG 100. You can find out about how to place out of ENG 100 on our English Demystified page.

ENG 203-204 Major British Writers, I, II (H)
An overview of English literature from Beowulf to the end of the Victorian Era. Each major work is studied critically and textually in an historical context, as a symptom of cultural change. -three semester hours each

ENG 207 Masterpieces of World Literature (H,CD)
Students read, discuss and analyze literature from cultures around the globe, from antiquity to the present. The course primarily explores texts from a variety of non-Western cultures (including African, Indian, Arabic and Chinese), alongside some works from European and/or American traditions. Discussions focus on understanding each work both through close reading and by situating it within its distinctive cultural context. -three semester hours

ENG 209 Women and Literature in England I (H,CD)
Introduction to English literature by and about women, from the Middle Ages to 1700. Works of poetry, prose and drama will be studied in generic and historical contexts as symptoms of cultural change. Interdisciplinary approach to gender, discrimination, social justice make this course an elective in the Women’s Studies Minor.- three semester hours

ENG 215-216 Major American Writers I, II (H)
Survey I covers literature from Colonial writing through Hawthorne and Melville; Survey II from Whitman to the present day. Course readings stress primary material. Discussions focus on the coherent intellectual currents which inform and affect America's literature and give it its unique flavor, and serve also to illuminate the range of genres and types of writings covered by the reading. -three semester hours each

ENG 300 Medieval Literature (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor An introductory course on the literatures of medieval England. The course will include texts from both the Old English (700-1100) and the Middle English (1100-1500) periods, including selected works of Chaucer. Students will read and discuss literature in a variety of genres (lyric poetry, Arthurian romance, religious allegory, etc.), and explore the distinctive aspects of medieval culture and society. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 301 Seventeenth Century Literature (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor English prose and poetry from 1603-1700 excluding John Milton. Major emphasis is done on Donne, Cavalier, lyricists, and John Dryden. The poet's relation to and expression of the philosophical, intellectual, religious and political movements are examined. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 302 The Enlightenment (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor This course explores the contributions of English authors primarily during the 18th century to the cultural and intellectual milieu known as the Enlightenment. Discussion focuses on the writings of Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Johnson, among others. Specific literary themes are related to the music and art of the period. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 303 English Renaissance Literature (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor  This course is a study of major literary achievements in poetry, prose and drama from the close of the Middle Ages to 1603. Students will study such influential forms as the sonnet, romance epic and revenge tragedy, and read representative works by Elizabeth Cary, Queen Elizabeth I, Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe, Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, Isabella Whitney and Thomas Wyatt. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 305 English Romantic Poetry (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Examines the common assumptions shared by the chief romantic poets, and the contribution each made to English romanticism—including the visionary mysticism of Blake; the revolt in poetic diction championed by Wordsworth; Coleridge's concept of the imagination and fancy; the neoplatonic idealism of Shelley; Keatsean negative capability; and the classicism of Byron, whose popularity as a romantic poet was unrivaled among his contemporaries. (Post-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 306 Victorian Poetry
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Virtually every Victorian poet experienced a tension between devotion to individual sensibility, and commitment to the social and moral needs of the age. This course explores major poets’ attempts to reconcile conflicting claims of private and public responsibility. Principal authors studied include Tennyson, Browning, and Arnold, with some consideration of the contribution of Rossetti, Hopkins, Housman and Hardy, among others. (Post-1800.) -three semester hours

ENG 307 The Modern Age Through Contemporary Literature (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor A look at the complex 20th century through the eyes of selected modern English and American poets, novelists, and playwrights. Works by Yeats, Eliot, Dreiser, Faulkner, Bellow, Pinter, and Becket will be discussed with an eye toward defining a "spirit of the modern age." (Post-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 308 Romanticism in America (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Examines distinctive features of the romantic movement in America, with major weight on the writings and thoughts of Emerson, Thoreau, and the Transcendental group, and the romantic reaction embodied by Hawthorne and Melville. The are of Poe is also discussed. (Advanced American.) -three semester hours

ENG 310-312 Studies in American Authors (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Single authors or combinations of authors studied in depth. For example, Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Willa Cather, Toni Morrison, and Faulkner. Also groups such as Native American writers; Early American writers and American poets. May be taken up to three times, with different authors or topics. (Advanced American) -three semester hours each

ENG 315 Greek and Roman Literature (H)
The Greek and Roman epics, drama, myths, and poetry will be examined both as products of their ages and as the foundation of Western literature. Aristotle's Poetics will be studied as the basis for all later drama. The Iliad and Odyssey will be seen as the basis for all later epic poetry. -three semester hours

ENG 333 Old English
An intensive introduction to Old English, the vernacular language of Anglo-Saxon England (ca. 500-1100 CE). Students learn the basics of Old English grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, and translate selections of Old English prose and poetry. -three semester hours

ENG 354 Literature for Children and Adolescents (H)
This course examines a variety of modes of literature written for children and adolescents. Among the topics addressed are how to evaluate the quality literature and illustrations in children's books, how to integrate literature study into the K-12 curriculum, and how to evaluate students' responses to literature. -three semester hours

ENG 360 Literary Criticism (H)
Introduction to the study and analysis of literature, including historical, textual, formal, and generic methods of criticism. Intensive reading of significant critical essays ranging from Aristotle through Eliot; practice in dealing with primary sources, in terms of theoretical material. -three semester hours

ENG 400 Shakespeare (H) (Also THR 400)
This course examines in depth representative plays of Shakespeare in each of the genres; tragedy, comedy, history and romance, as well as the sonnets. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 401 Dante (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor  This course is an intensive introduction to selected works of the medieval poet Dante Alighieri, with particular attention paid to his Divine Comedy. Analysis and discussion focus primarily on Dante as narrative poet, lyricist, philosopher, and critic. The course also explores the cultural and historical contexts for Dante’s work and, time permitting, his influence on later writers. (Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 405 Milton (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Lycidas, minor poetry and "Paradise Lost" examined exhaustively and analyzed critically as to structure, language, prosodic technique, and thematic development. Stress on developing critical techniques to analyze the pastoral elegy and epic poem as applied to Milton's works, or other works of these genres. ("Paradise Regained,""Samson Agonistes" examined as time permits)(Pre-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 406 Modern British Poetry (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor  This course traces attempts by 20th century British poets to fashion a modernistic aesthetic. The influence of French symbolist poets, and of impressionist, expressionist, and surrealist theories help explain complexity of form and content typical of poets like Yeats, Eliot, Auden and Dylan Thomas, and provide a context for comparison with more recent verse of Larkin, Gunn, Hughes, and others. (Post-1800) -three semester hours

ENG 407 Modern American Novel (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor A study of the modern American novel concentrating on Post-1950 novelists. Some attention is paid to earlier novelists (Faulkner, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck) to set the stage for discussion of contemporary novelists such as Bellow, Doctorow, Irving, and Walker. Discussion will focus on contemporary narrative theory and technique, and on varieties of setting, character, and themes in the modern American novel. (Advanced American) -three semester hours

ENG 409-411 Topics in American Literature
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Themes in American literature, such as; Captivity Narratives through the 19th Century; Imagining Native Americans; The American Dream and Immigrant Writers Poverty in the 20th Century American Literature; Freedom and Determinism in American Literature. May be taken up to three times, with different authors or topics. (Advanced American) -three semester hours each

ENG 414 and 415 Honors Thesis I and II
Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the student's major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or an original project, and an oral defense. Students enrolled in the university’s honors program write a thesis during their senior year. Students who are not enrolled in the honors program may obtain departmental honors by completing this sequence of courses. Student and instructor must agree on specific topic for research. -six semester hours

ENG 420-421 ENG 420 (Pre-1800) and ENG 421 (Post-1800) The History of the English Novel (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor Intensive genre study of representative novels spanning several literary periods, beginning in the early 18th century and culminating, in an extensive examination of the contemporary English novel. Explores thematic, philosophical, and aesthetic considerations in the evolution of types of English novels. Students will become familiar with major British novelists, and may perform independent research into specific areas of English fiction. -three semester hours each

ENG 430 19th Century American Fictions (H)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor A study of American fiction in the romantic, naturalist, and realist modes, covering such authors as Brown, Irving, Hawthorne, Melville, Twain, Cable, Howells, James, Crane, and Norris, in light of the intellectual, philosophical and political forces that shaped their work. (Advanced American) -three semester hours

ENG 490 Senior Seminar
A series of seminars on a variety of topics in English and American literature proposed on a regular basis and rotated annually among the professors of the department. Each seminar requires that students demonstrate research skills commensurate with advanced study in English. Students must successfully complete this capstone course prior to graduation. -three semester hours

Writing and Language Courses

ENG 193-194 English as a Foreign Language
For information on this course, please contact The Learning Center.
Designed for foreign students, this course provides intensive training in the basics of English grammar, composition, and language art skills. An individual program of instruction is designed to help students master the English skills required for college students and allow the foreign student a reasonable expectation of success later in Writing 100, which is required of all undergraduate students. -six semester hours

ENG 221 Creative Writing (H,WI)
This course, taught in a workshop format, introduces the fundamental skills used by writers of poetry and fiction. The primary text of the course is the students' original poems and short stories; works by contemporary writers are also read and analyzed. Students develop individual portfolios of revised work in fulfillment of course requirements. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 231 Business Communication (WI)
A basic course in organizational communication: theory and practice. Communication is viewed as a behavioral science involving interaction between the message sender and the audience. Emphasis is on practical techniques of professional communication through letters, memorandums, and reports. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 321 Poetry Writing (H,WI)
Prerequisite: Eng 221, or permission of instructor  Theory and practice of poetry. Workshop format, building on skills from Eng 221. Assignments include poems, essays, presentations, and responses to readings. Texts include student writing, contemporary poetry, and essays by contemporary poets. Students develop portfolios of revised work prepared during the semester. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor)  -three semester hours

ENG 341 Editing and Collaboration (H,WI)
Prerequisite: Eng 231, or permission of instructor.This course develops skills students need to write successfully in college, in the workplace, and in their everyday lives. It prepares students for the various types of writing they would do as professional editors or writers, including synthesizing information from various sources, providing feedback to other writers to guide their revision, managing multi-authored documents, and co-authoring. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 342 Special Topics in Web Writing (H, WI)
Prerequisite: CMS 222 or permission of instructor. A course which focuses on specific trends, genres, or aspects of Web writing. Topics include: Web writing in social, workplace or academic contexts; unique genres of Web writing (blogs, wikis, forums); challenges to traditional media and publishing made by Web writing. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 343 Studies in Rhetorical Theory (H, WI)
Offers in-depth study of rhetorical theory. The course may focus on one or more periods (e.g., classical rhetoric, Enlightenment rhetoric), theorists (e.g., Aristotle, Burke), or concepts (e.g., invention, metaphor). May be taken up to three times with different course material. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 345 Science Writing (H, WI)
(Also available at the graduate level as ENG 545.)
Examines the forms of communication undergirding science. Students analyze and write in a variety of scientific genres as they learn the rhetorical dynamics of research. Emphasis is also placed on the public understanding of science, including representations of science in fine art and film. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 346 Visual Rhetoric (H, WI)
(Also available at the graduate level as ENG 546.)
Students analyze and synthesize the rhetorical principles by which visuals are produced and used to inform, educate, advocate, and persuade. Students also consider the cultural contexts for visual communication, how visuals work with other forms of communication, and the ethical implications of how visuals are used for rhetorical purposes. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 348 Ethnography and Travel Writing (H, CD, WI)
(Also available at the graduate level as ENG 548.)
Focuses on nonfiction writing about culture. Students use participant-observation and interviewing as tools for developing vivid characters, scenes, dialog, and story elements, while reading Latin American and Hispanic ethnography for exemplars. Emphasis is placed on writing that promotes cultural awareness and understanding of the changing American demographic. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 351 Grant Writing (H,WI)
Prerequisite Eng 231, or permission of instructor.This course introduces students to the process of applying for grants in their area of specialization using research and documentation skills. Students gain practice analyzing the mission, values, and priorities of philanthropic and other funding institutions, and apply that knowledge to their organizational and/or individual ethos. This course culminates in a grant proposal, requiring extensive persuasive and analytic writing. (Advanced Composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 355 Teaching Composition (WI)
The study of the methods of teaching composition at the elementary and secondary school levels. Considerable attention directed to techniques of grading and evaluating prose themes. Designed for prospective elementary and high school English teachers, this course examines current research in composition and its implications for methods of instruction and evaluation. (Advanced composition; part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 356 English Grammar: Theory and Practice (H)
An advanced survey of the English grammatical structures, this course provides insights into the structure and working of English through a transformational approach to the study of syntax. (Part of Writing Studies minor) -three semester hours

ENG 431 History and Development of the English Language (H)
Traces the development of the English language as a vocal system of human interaction from the beginnings to the modern period. Stresses the changing structural elements of phonology and morophology. Such examination attempts to establish a basis for seeing not "a meaning, but the meaning" in the written language, Etymology and methods of comparative analysis among various language periods are also stressed. -three semester hours

Co-Ops and Internship Opportunity Courses

ENG 493 English Co-op
A junior or senior work-study program providing relevant paid employment experience. The student must work one semester full time. Registration will occur at the beginning of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, thus lending relevancy to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
Noncredit

ENG 494 English Co-op
Prerequisite: English 493 A junior or senior work-study program providing relevant paid employment experience. The student must work one semester full time. Registration will occur at the beginning of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, thus lending relevancy to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
-six semester hours

ENG 495 and 496 English Co-op
A junior or senior work-study program providing relevant paid employment experience. The student will work part time for four semesters. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, thus lending relevancy to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
-three semester hours each

Graduate Courses

These courses can be taken to fulfill requirements for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

ENG 545 Science Writing
(Also available at the undergraduate level as ENG 345.)
Examines the forms of communication undergirding science. Students analyze and write in a variety of scientific genres as they learn the rhetorical dynamics of research. Emphasis is also placed on the public understanding of science, including representations of science in fine art and film. -three semester hours

ENG 546 Visual Rhetoric (H, WI)
(Also available at the undergraduate level as ENG 346.)
Students analyze and synthesize the rhetorical principles by which visuals are produced and used to inform, educate, advocate, and persuade. Students also consider the cultural contexts for visual communication, how visuals work with other forms of communication, and the ethical implications of how visuals are used for rhetorical purposes. -three semester hours

ENG 548 Ethnography and Travel Writing (H, CD, WI)
(Also available at the undergraduate level as ENG 348.)
Focuses on nonfiction writing about culture. Students use participant-observation and interviewing as tools for developing vivid characters, scenes, dialog, and story elements, while reading Latin American and Hispanic ethnography for exemplars. Emphasis is placed on writing that promotes cultural awareness and understanding of the changing American demographic. -three semester hours

Other Courses (Previously Administered by the English Department)

Speech
Speech communications courses are now taught by the Department of Communication Studies.

American Sign Language

American sign language courses are now taught by the Department of Modern Languages.

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