English Upper-Division Courses

Selected Courses Descriptions for English Upper-Division Courses

ENGL 3000 - Critical Theory: Foundations and Practice

Introduces students to foundational concepts in critical theory and practice. Readings and written assignments encompass a variety of genres and approaches. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3010: Advanced Rhetoric and Writing

Writing workshop that offers students the opportunity to work on advanced writing projects and enhance their repertoire of rhetorical strategies. Specific writing projects may vary. The sections of ENGL 3010 also emphasize instructional strategies for managing the writing process in public school settings. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410 or ENGL 2080 or ENGL 2090 or INOV 2100 or their equivalents.

3 Credits

ENGL 3020: Topics in Advanced Rhetoric and Writing: "Rhetorical Animals"

Christine Robinson Coon, MW 4:45-6pm, Columbine Hall 221

To foster a critical and rhetorical awareness of the sociopolitical nature of language with respect to ideology and identity, students in this course will explore works by scholars in the emerging, interdisciplinary field of animal studies. This will involve examining texts focused on rhetorics about animals and rhetorics of animals. This exploration will cultivate a posthumanist lens students will use to interrogate the human-animal binary in Western culture and its potential effects on both human and nonhuman animals, as well as how certain ideologies are often reinforced in academic and popular culture texts. In the process, students will enhance their repertoire of rhetorical strategies and employ various genres to complicate, challenge or advocate for certain stances or ideologies. (This course fulfills the “Rhetoric & Writing Theory” requirement in the Rhetoric & Writing emphasis.)

ENGL 3030: Intermediate Creative Writing - Poetry

For students with previous formal experience studying and practicing the craft of poetry. Students read and write extensively to develop their own poetic voices while opening themselves to the varieties of influence that others can have on their writing. A focus on student work and workshop promotes further exploration and experimentation with poetic craft and technique, including such elements as image, voice, sound, rhythm, and structure. Prer., ENGL 2030 or consent of instructor.

3 Credits

ENGL 3040: Intermediate Creative Nonfiction

In this course students will read and write creative nonfiction: memoir, lyric and segmented essays, literary journalism, and cultural criticism. Writers in this genre are reworking familiar forms, bringing them to life with voice and scenes, while respecting that creative nonfiction emerges from real experiences. Students will locate their own material and develop their voices to shape a variety of creative work to be examined in workshops. Prer., ENGL 2040 or consent of instructor.

3 Credits

ENGL 3050: Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction

For students with previous formal experience studying and practicing the craft of literary short fiction. Students read and write extensively to expand their working knowledge of the genre and refine their execution of such craft elements as characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, point of view, language, and scene. The class focuses on student work and workshop and emphasizes originality and dedication to craft. Prer., ENGL 2050.

3 Credits

ENGL 3060: Special Topics in Creative Writing

This course offers scope and variety not captured by other creative writing courses (introductory multi-genre course, intermediate poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction courses, as well as advanced course). Students taking this course will be challenged to move beyond the developmental sequence in creative writing, broadening their sophistication and expertise in the discipline of creative writing. May be repeated for credit. Prer., ENGL 1310 or equivalent, intermediate creative writing (any genre) or permission of the instructor.

3 Credits

ENGL3075 - Introduction to the Digital Humanities

This course introduces students to the digital humanities through readings, discussions, and projects. This hands-on class is divided into sections such as text-coding, digitization, data visualization and spatial projects. Students will learn how to perform tasks and read relevant criticism. Prer., ENGL1410 or TCID 2080 or TCID 2090 or INOV2100.

3 credits

ENGL 3080: Advanced Business and Technical Writing

Writing workshop where students work on advanced business and administrative writing projects. Focus is on rhetorical strategies, document design principles, developing an understanding of ethics, and evaluating and synthesizing a variety of texts into students’ own research and writing. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 2080 or ENGL 2090.

3 Credits

ENGL 3110: Advanced Grammar

Provides a theoretical, historical, and practical study of grammar and the rules governing language use, particularly as they apply to professional writing. The emphasis is on the standard conventions of grammar, usage, mechanics, and syntax. Students will practice a variety of techniques for applying these skills to their own writing. Prer., ENGL 1310.

3 Credits

ENGL 3170: riverrun Literary and Arts Journal

Students will produce a print and/or online issue of the riverrun Literary and Arts Journal. The journal was founded in 1971 and publishes creative work by UCCS students. Students will complete analytical, theoretical, creative, and editing assignments in support of the production. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Navigate; Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 1410; ENGL 2010 for English majors; ENGL 1500 or instructor permission for non-English majors.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

ENGL 3200: Women Writers and Women’s Experience

Study of women writers with attention to issues of authorship, gender and diversity. Fulfills the English department’s diversity requirement. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. Prer., ENGL 1500 or ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3220: Gender, Writing, and the Environment

This course explores the intersections of gender and sexuality as well as race and class in writing that addresses environmental themes in order to better understand the role of written texts in this moment. Possible genres to be of focus are speculative fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, poetry, short stories, historical fiction, and digital essays.

ENGL 3320: US Writing in the World

Study of US writing as it relates to broader contexts such as the globe, world, and planet. Prer., ENGL 1310 or equivalent. Preference given to non-majors; majors with permission of instructor. LAS Humanities area requirement. Compass requirement: Explore-Arts, Humanities, Cultures.

3 Credits

ENGL 3330: Early American Literature Through Romanticism

May include literatures of encounter, of transatlantic colonialism, the captivity narrative, Romanticism, Whitman, and/or literatures of abolition. Topics and instructors may vary. May be repeated for credit with permission of department. Fulfills the English department’s historical breadth requirement in American literature before 1900. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2010 for majors; or ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1500 for non-majors.

3 Credits

ENGL 3340: American Literature from 1790 to 1860

May include the literatures of revolution, the sentimental novel and/or poetics, early American women’s writings, Transcendentalism, early American gothic, literatures of Native American removal and resistance, the slave narrative, and the literatures of abolition. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission. This course fulfills the English department’s historical breadth requirement in American literature before 1900. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2010 for English majors; ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1500 for non-majors.

3 Credits

ENGL 3350: American Literature from 1820 to 1900

May include the early American novel, American gothic, Transcendentalism, the literatures of slavery and abolition, the poetics of Whitman and/or Dickinson, realism, naturalism, literatures of western expansion, and/or the New Woman. Topics and instructors may vary. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission. This course fulfills the English department’s historical breadth requirement in American literature before 1900. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2010 for English majors; ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1500 for non-majors.

3 Credits

ENGL 3360: American Literature from 1880 to 1960

This course may include the study of the Realist novel, the Naturalist novel, “Jazz Age” literature, the Harlem Renaissance, the modernist novel, avant-garde poetics, and/or social realism. Topics and instructors may vary. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission. Fulfills the English department’s historical breadth requirement in American literature after 1900. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2010 for majors; or ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1500 for non-majors.

3 Credits

ENGL 3370: American Literature from 1945 to the Present

May include the postwar novel, the modern short story, the Beat movement, literary minimalism, postmodernism, multi-ethnic literature, non-fiction, and/or contemporary literature. Topics and instructors may vary. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission. Fulfills the English department’s historical breadth requirement in American literature after 1900. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2010 for majors; or ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1500 for non-majors.

3 Credits

ENGL 3530: Early Modern British Literature

Explores the cultural currents during the 16th and 17th centuries through four important literary genres: lyric, drama, epic/romance, and various forms of prose. Prer., ENGL 1310, ENGL 1500, or ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3550: Native American Literature

Provides students with the necessary cultural and literary background required to understand and appreciate some of the major works of Native American literature. Fulfills the English department’s diversity requirement. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3600: African American Literature

Provides students with the necessary cultural and literary background required to understand and appreciate some of the major works of African-American Literature. Fulfills the English department’s diversity requirement. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000.

3 Credits

ENGL 3610: Hip Hop Poetics

Kirsten Bartholomew Ortega, Online Asynchronous

The verdict is in: rap lyrics are definitely poetry. But what does that mean and why does it matter? Whether you’re a certified hip-hop head or someone who just wonders what all the noise is about, this class will help you answer those questions by building your knowledge of hip hop history and your expertise in Hip Hop Poetics: the theory of rap poetry’s forms. You will analyze the cultural impact of rap poems like Melle Mel’s verse in “The Message” or Ice Cube’s verse in “Straight Outta Compton.” You will develop your voice as a hip hop critic to respond to the forms, messages, and aesthetics of rap poetry. For example, you might debate whether Tupac or Biggie was the better rapper or whether Eminem really is a “Rap God” (and why Machine Gun Kelly is not). Join the class to respond (Machine Gun Kelly fans and haters and those who don’t know who he is)! (This course fulfills the LAS Cultural Diversity Area Requirement; it fulfills a “Diversity” requirement in all of the English emphases and can also fulfill either the “genre” or “movement” Designated Elective requirements in the Literature emphasis.)

3 Credits

ENGL 3650: Studies in Gender and Sexuality

A study of representations and theories of gender and sexuality. The course combines theoretical approaches to gender and sexuality, such as psychoanalysis, feminism, performance theory, and queer theory, with an intensive study of representations of gender and sexuality in literature and film. May be repeated once with permission of department chair. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410 or equivalent, ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3700: English Internship

This course gives students an opportunity to apply academic skills to a work environment and to gain practical experience in professions for which their English degree prepares them, while reflecting on and synthesizing their internship experiences through writing-intensive pedagogy. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Writing Intensive

3 Credits
Prer., ENGL 1410

ENGL 3810: Writing Across the Curriculum: Tutoring Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines

Course examines the inquiry processes in the Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, and how that knowledge is expressed through specific writing styles, forms and conventions. Students will complete a practicum component either in the Writing Center or classroom. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410.

3 Credits

ENGL 3800: Writing Center Theory and Practice

Study of Writing Center theory and practice. Students will participate in weekly observations and consultations in the Writing Center. Students in all majors are encouraged to enroll. Required for employment as a Writing Consultant at the Writing Center. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410; or ENGL 2080, ENGL 2090, or INOV 2100.

3 Credits

ENGL 3820: Rhetoric History and Theory: Contemporary Rhetorics and the Canonical Tradition

Learn the ways Rhetoric has shifted from a system of tropes, figures, and imitation to discovering multiple sites of epistemology and inquiry, drawing on art, literature, culture, and theory. Read and write about canonical and contemporary rhetorical texts and ideas. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410.

3 Credits

ENGL 3900: Topics in Literature

While the topic varies by semester and instructor, this course will focus on national awareness and/or global awareness through the study of how literature and socio-political conditions are reciprocally influenced. Approved for LAS Humanities area requirement. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3910: Topics in Literature

Topics will vary from semester to semester. Check Fall and Spring schedules. May be taken up to two times for credit with permission of department chair. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Explore-Arts, Humanities, and Cultures; Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 1500 or ENGL 2010.

1 Credit (Minimum) - 3 Credits (Maximum)

ENGL 3911: Fairy Tales: Literature, Film, Theory

Fairy tale versions from classic to contemporary. Includes images and illustrations, film, and theory (theories may include literary, historical, feminist, Marxist, psychoanalytic, visual, queer, disability, or other). Includes global fairy tales in translation. This course meets the English department definition of a genre class. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Explore-Arts, Humanities and Cultures; Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL1305, 1308, or 1310; and ENGL1500 or 2010 or permission of instructor. Meets with ENGL3911.

3 credits

ENGL 3970: Shakespeare I

Comedies and Histories. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3950: Chaucer

Study of major works with emphasis on “Canterbury Tales.” Readings will be in middle English; short introduction to the language will precede study of the poetry. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, and either ENGL 1500 or ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 3980: Shakespeare II

Tragedies and Romances. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, and either ENGL 1500 or ENGL 2010.

3 Credits

ENGL 4100 : Advanced Creative Writing

Advanced seminar focusing on the study and practice of a single literary genre: poetry, creative nonfiction, or fiction. Students participate in a mature workshop community. Through a variety of reading, writing, and discussion projects students exhibit a sophisticated understanding of craft theory and its bearing on practice. Students bring a high level of dedication and a demonstrated proficiency to their craft, and take initiative in shaping their further development and vision as writers. Genres vary. Prer., ENGL 3030, ENGL 3040, or ENGL 3050, depending on the genre of focus, or instructor permission.

3 Credits

ENGL 4200: The Rise of the Novel

What is a novel, exactly? How did the genre take shape? This course relates the history of the novel in the 17th and 18th centuries to questions about character, power, and the role of art in human flourishing.

3 Credits

ENGL 4210: The Nineteenth-Century British Novel

Continuation of ENGL 4200, but may be taken without previous novel course. Examines major British novels of the 19th century and early 20th century. Authors include the Brontes, Dickens, Eliot, and Hardy. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5210.

3 Credits

ENGL 4230: Development of the American Novel I

Study of the American novel from its beginnings, with the work of Charles Brockden Brown, through the 19th century, concluding with the work of Henry James. Will examine both artistic development of American writers and the novels’ functions as vehicles of cultural history. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2000, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5230.

3 Credits

ENGL 4240: Development of the American Novel II

Continuation of ENGL 4230. Covers development of the “Modern” realistic novel, from beginning of the 20th century through 1945, and examines work of Wharton, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dreiser, Wright and others. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5240.

3 Credits

ENGL 4250: Contemporary Novel

Study of major novelists and developments in the genre, with emphasis on British and American novels written since 1965. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5250.

3 Credits

ENGL 4300: Studies in American Literature and Culture

Advanced study of such topics as American Gothic, antebellum American literature, and the literature of the American Cold War era. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5300.

3 Credits

ENGL 4310: Harlem Renaissance

Kirsten Bartholomew Ortega, TuTh 10:50-12:05, Columbine 221

The explosion of art, music, performance, and literature that make up the movement commonly known as “The Harlem Renaissance” attempted to define black culture in 1920s & 1930s America and to establish it as a unique and powerful cultural force. In this course, we will read works that represent the wide variety of artistic methods that Harlem Renaissance writers employed. You will analyze the texts for insight into the historical and cultural moment they represent. You will critique the effectiveness of different representations, make literary critical arguments about the texts, and consider the effects of reading this literature in the 21st century. You will develop research questions and compile information into a “case book” about a piece of literature that you will use to write an original piece of literary scholarship. (This course meets the Summit Requirement in Compass Curriculum and is a senior literature seminar; it also fulfills the English Department’s “Diversity” requirement and the “movement” designated elective in the Literature emphasis.)

ENGL 4400: Genre Studies

Topics may include medieval epic and romance, lyric poetry, dramatic comedy, medieval comedy, satire. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5400.

3 Credits

ENGL 4410: Topics in Contemporary Poetry Studies

Analysis of poetry relevant to discussions in contemporary poetry studies. Topics and poets covered will vary from semester to semester. Can repeat up to 6 credit hours with different topics. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit. Prer., ENGL 1310, ENGL 3000.

3 Credits

ENGL 4500: Studies in Medieval Literature

Studies of major works in prose, poetry, and drama from the Middle Ages (roughly 500-1500 C.E.).

3 Credits

ENGL 4700: Seminar in Literary Theory

An advanced seminar in literary theory. Course is organized around a theoretical topic and emphasizes theory’s role in the interpretation of literary texts. Course topics vary by semester. May be repeated once with permission of department chair. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit. Prer., ENGL 1310, ENGL 1410, ENGL 2010, ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5700.

3 Credits

ENGL 4800: Writing Center Theory and Practice

Study of Writing Center theory and practice. Students will participate in weekly observations and consultations in the Writing Center. Students in all majors are encouraged to enroll. Required for employment as a Writing Consultant at the Writing Center. Prer., ENGL 1310; and ENGL 1410 or ENGL 2080 or ENGL 2090 or INOV 2100 or their equivalents. Meets with ENGL 5800.

3 Credits

ENGL 4810 - Special Topics in the Teaching of Writing

In-depth inquiry into theoretical topics in the teaching of writing in the public schools, with practical applications via the production of a theory-into-practice portfolio suitable to the topic. Topics vary. Prer., ENGL 3010. Meets with ENGL 5810.

3 Credits

ENGL 4820: Classical Rhetoric

Introduces the theories, practices, and cultural power of rhetoric in ancient Greece and Rome. Also includes the debates surrounding the relevance of classical rhetoric to the teaching of writing today. Prer., ENGL 3010, ENGL 3110, and senior standing, or instructor permission. Meets with ENGL 5820.

3 Credits

ENGL 4830: Rhetoric and Writing: Survey in Contemporary Approaches to Teaching Writing

Ann Amicucci, M 1:40-4:20, Columbine 333

This course explores the theoretical and practical study of writing processes across diverse contexts. Students will learn how to teach diverse populations in the K-12 English Language Arts classroom, how to design writing assignments and scaffold students’ learning through an assignment sequence, and how to give feedback on and grade students’ writing. Course projects include investigating solutions to a teaching problem, writing lesson plans, and giving a teaching demonstration. Students who don’t plan to be teachers are welcome; we’ll define “teaching writing” broadly to include workplace and community writing contexts. (This course fulfills a requirement in the Secondary English Education emphasis; it fulfills a “Rhetoric & Writing Theory” requirement in the Rhetoric & Writing emphasis.)

ENGL 4840: Practicum for Writing Instructors

Training practicum for writing instructors at the college level. Theoretical inquiry and practical development of syllabi, course plans, and instructional materials. May be taken for a grade or Pass/Fail. Meets with ENGL 5840.

3 Credits

ENGL 4850: History of the English Language

Outline of the history of the English language including a brief survey of sound changes, of grammatical forms and of the vocabulary. Meets with ENGL 5850.

3 Credits

ENGL 4860: Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing: 21st Century Public Intellectualism

Ann Amicucci, TuTh 12:15-1:30, Centennial 106

What is public intellectualism? Who is a public intellectual, and who gets to decide who becomes one? How do 21st Century public figures use rhetorical strategies to convey arguments about race, disability, and regional culture…and get people to listen? How do dynamics of power, exclusion, and inclusion shape how public figure are heard? In this course, we will question the concept of public intellectualism itself while analyzing the arguments of figures currently in the public eye through the lens of theories of ethos, self-presentation, and public rhetoric. (This course fulfills the English Department’s Diversity requirement; it fulfills the Writing Intensive and Inclusiveness requirements in Compass Curriculum.)

ENGL 4880: Topics in Public Rhetorics

Advanced, in-depth study of the rhetoric of a particular public issue. Issues, theoretical materials, historical moment, and readings shift with topic. May be taken two times as long as topics are different. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Summit; Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 1310, ENGL 1410. Meets with ENGL 5880.

3 Credits

ENGL 4950 - Seminar in Literary Topics

Course topic will vary by semester. Consult Course Search on the UCCS website or the MyUCCS Portal each term for specific course content. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Summit; Writing Intensive. Prer., ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5950.

3 Credits

ENGL 4970: Seminar in Shakespeare Studies / Romeo & Juliet: Processing the Plague

Instructor: Rebecca Laroche, Th 4:45-7:20pm, Osborne B138

Since Shakespeare penned it in the mid-1590s, Romeo and Juliet has been reproduced on stage and screen as a story for all times. Central to its inception and early production, however, were events of the playwright's era: regular plague outbreaks in London. This course will focus on this one play: its origins during the closing of the playhouses because of severe outbreaks, its first performances in the years

after these closures, and its adaptations in recent decades. Students will read other works by Shakespeare and his contemporaries that inform its composition. They will watch and analyze modern productions and adaptations that manipulate or sideline these origins. In written work and class discussion, we will examine how the play harnesses the extremities of loss experienced by a collective culture and focuses those experiences onto the lovers. Together, we will consider how modern productions and adaptations transpose the topicality of the original play onto other, more immediate heartbreaks.

ENGL 4973: Shakespeare and Sustainability

This course considers Shakespeare through the lenses of ecocriticism and ecofeminist theory. In doing so, not only does it enliven the natural world vocabulary more familiar to an audience more intimate with that world, it also considers the roles of economic inequality, gender norms, and racial categories in determining one’s relationship to that world. Prer., ENGL 2010, ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5973.

3 Credits

ENGL 4980: Seminar in Major Authors

Author varies from semester to semester and may not be offered in any given year. Consult Course Search on the UCCS website or the MyUCCS Portal for specific information. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. Prer., ENGL 1310 or validated equivalent, ENGL 2010, and ENGL 3000. Meets with ENGL 5980.

3 Credits