AMST 200: Introduction to American Studies
Online; Henigman
This interdisciplinary course will highlight the student's role in interrogating the cultural and political function of representations of America in literature, history, philosophy, religion, popular culture, music and art. Students will gain an understanding of why definitions of American identity matter and learn about the contemporary debates that inform the discipline of American Studies today. Questions about the changing role of national studies in the face of globalization are central. May be used for general education credit.
ENG 221 - 4102: Literature/Culture/Ideas: American Environmental Literature
Online; Bogard
In this course we will survey the tradition of American Environmental Literature, beginning in the mid-1800s with Henry David Thoreau and moving to the present day. Our main goal will be to gain an understanding of the American Environmental Literature tradition and to examine its importance for our world—and our own lives—today.
In his introduction to American Earth, the anthology that will serve as our course text, editor Bill McKibben writes, “an argument can be made that environmental writing is America’s single most distinctive contribution to the world’s literature.” This is a strong statement, but considering the impact of the writing we will study in this course, it makes a lot of sense. American environmental literature has inspired the creation of national parks, legislation to protect clean air and water, rules to control chemicals, protection of endangered species and places, and more. From its beginnings it has questioned our definitions of what it means to be patriotic, progressive, successful, healthy… and American. For many readers, the literature we will study is as important today as it was when it was published—whether that was 1854, 1962, or yesterday.
We come to our study of this literature at a particularly poignant time. This spring, the most recent report from the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change tells us that we must act now to avoid catastrophic results from the disruption of our climate. The challenge of dealing with climate change is arguably the most important of the 21st century. For someone aged 18-22 (especially), this means that everything in life—employment, family, children, aging—will happen within its context. As educated citizens, we have a choice: ignore this challenge, or face it with determination and joy.
Course work includes significant reading, a "daily questions journal" to keep related to the reading, three short essays, and a final exam. The course is completely online.
ENG 222 - 4101: Genre(s)
Online; Muhonja
ENG 247 - 4201: Survey of American Literature: From the Beginning to the Civil War
Online; Rebhorn
ENG 368 - 4201: Women’s Literature
Online; Thompson
A study of literature by women. Meets with WGS 368.
ENG 380 - 4101: Introduction to Film
Online; McHardy
Meets with SMAD 380.
ENG 393 - 4101: Introduction to Creative Writing – Fiction
M, T, W, TH 9:00 AM – 11:40 AM; Martin
A basic workshop in reading and writing fiction. May be repeated for credit when course content changes.
ENG 393 - 4201: Introduction to Creative Writing - Fiction
Online; Fitzgerald
A basic workshop in reading and writing fiction. May be repeated for credit when course content changes.
