English

Associate Professors Ann Pleiss Morris, Mary I. Unger (Chair); Assistant Professor Megan M. Gannon (on leave fall 2021)

Departmental Mission Statement: The mission of the Department of English is to prepare students to become part of the larger critical conversation that takes place among students, teachers, critics and texts. We seek to enhance their critical understanding of the discipline, to help them express their own ideas and respond to those of others, and to help them to formulate and engage in critical argument.

Communicating Plus — English: The Communicating Plus Program at Ripon College emphasizes students’ development of skills in four areas: written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. The English department focuses each course and the department offerings overall on developing the student’s abilities to analyze critically, to respond sensitively, to understand broadly and to express oneself effectively in oral and written forms. The regular or core courses for the major or minor give extended attention to the development of these skills through instruction, practice, and assessment by self, peers and faculty.

Requirements for a major in English: 36 credits including: ENG 101, 450 and 530 as well as one British literature survey (either ENG 251 or ENG 255) and one American literature survey (either ENG 246 or ENG 250). At least eight credits of electives must be taken at the 300-level, and at least four credits of electives must satisfy the department’s Diversity, Equity and Justice requirement (see below). One course outside the English department, if approved by the chair, may substitute for up to four credit hours of electives. Off-campus programs (such as the Newberry Library Program) provide significant opportunities for work relevant to the English major. The chair of the English department will determine how the off-campus courses will substitute in the major. Grades earned in all English courses are counted in computing departmental honors. Students completing licensure: Students completing a licensure program in Early Adolescence/Adolescence education should complete the requirements listed here for a major in English as well as ENG 402 and four credits of creative writing.

Requirements for a minor in English: 20 credits including: ENG 101 as well as one British literature survey (either ENG 251 or ENG 255) and one American literature survey (either ENG 246 or ENG 250). At least four credits of electives must be taken at the 300 level, and at least four credits of electives must satisfy the department’s Diversity, Equity and Justice requirements (see below).

Requirements for minor in Creative Writing: 20 credits including ENG 112 and ENG 380, as well as one of the following two-course sequences: ENG 211 and ENG 310, or ENG 213 and ENG 312; or ENG 211 and ENG 213. Four credits of electives must come from another ENG course or a practical course in another creative process such as ART, MUS, or THE. No more than four credits may count toward the Creative Writing minor and the English major or minor. Diversity, Equity and Justice requirement: The English department supports the College’s mission of preparing students for “socially responsible citizenship” by requiring majors and minors to take at least four credits of English dedicated to the study of underrepresented authors, voices and literary traditions. Courses that count toward the DEJ requirement will be noted in the Schedule of Courses.

Four credits. This course is a way to enter into the greater conversation of literary studies by increasing your exposure to literary works. It will help you build the vocabulary, the analytic tools, and the written and oral skills you need to participate in the field of literary studies. You will expand your understanding not only of literature, but also of others’ views of and comments about that literature so that you will become an active and valued participant of this community. This course includes frequent writing assignments.

112. Introduction to Creative Writing Gannon

Four credits. Intro to Creative Writing is an intensive exploratory class which allows non-majors as well as potential majors to experiment with writing creatively in three different genres. Over the course of the semester, we will read examples of published writing in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction as well as craft textbooks, and we will complete a number of short writing assignments in each genre. Because writing assignments in ENG 112 are unique to this class, students may register for ENG 211 or ENG 213 in later semesters without fear of extensive overlap.

200. Topics in Literature Staff

Variable credit course, 2-4 credits. The study of a characteristic theme, genre or period in literature. These courses are taught at the introductory level and are open to all interested students. They offer students the opportunity to study literary topics not offered in the regular curriculum. Different courses under this number may be repeated for credit. Some courses may count toward the Global and Cultural Studies Requirement. Please see the pertinent Schedule of Courses for the listing of topics courses and possible prerequisites. May count toward the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirement.

211. Creative Writing: Poetry Gannon

Four Credits. Offered in 2019-20 and alternate years. Introduction to the art and craft of poetry writing. Regular reading and writing assignments and a major project are required. Enrollment limited to 16 students.

213. Creative Writing: Fiction Gannon

Four Credits. Offered in 2020-21 and in alternate years. Introduction to the art and craft of fiction writing, concentrating on the short story. Regular reading and writing assignments and a major project are required. Enrollment limited to 16 students.

231. Theatre and Drama I: Ancient through Renaissance Pleiss Morris

Four credits. Offered in fall 2020 and alternate years. The dramatic literature, history and production practices of ancient Greece, Rome, medieval Europe and the Renaissance. Understanding dramatic structure, metaphor-

ic significance and thematic content in historical context is emphasized. Activities include lectures, group discussion, play script analysis, readings in theatre history, reader response assignments, research and creative projects/papers. Field trip fee range: $0-$40. Same as THE 231.

232. Theatre and Drama II: Restoration through Contemporary Staff

Four credits. Offered in fall 2019 and alternate years. The course encompasses the dramatic literature, history and production practices from the Restoration through contemporary theatre. Understanding dramatic structure and thematic content in historical context is emphasized. Lectures and group discussions, play script and theatre history readings, reader response assignments, research and creative projects/papers. Field trip fee $25. Same as THE 232.

243. Literature, Gender, and Sexuality Staff

Four credits. This course explores how the reading and writing of literature are shaped by gender, sexuality, and society. Offerings will vary and different courses under this number may be repeated for credit. Please see the pertinent Schedule of Courses for the listing of topics courses and possible prerequisites. May count toward the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion requirement. Same as WGS 243.

246. Early American Literature Unger/Gannon

Four credits. A survey of American literature of various genres before 1865. Topics may include but are not limited to: contact and colonization, Atlantic World and Black Atlantic literature, the Enlightenment and nation-building, and the American Renaissance.

250. Later American Literature Unger/Gannon

Four credits. A survey of American literature of various genres after 1865. Topics may include but are not limited to: Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, the literature of the two World Wars, and the post-war era in the United States.

251. Early British Literature Pleiss Morris

Four credits. This course presents a survey of the development of British literature from the AngloSaxon period to the seventeenth century. Students will study works of various forms of verse writing, drama and prose in relation to their historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from a diverse group of authors and traditions.

255. Later British Literature Pleiss Morris

Four credits. This course presents a survey of the development of British literature from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century. Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama, and various forms of fiction in relation to their historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from a diverse group of authors and traditions.

Four credits. A slot to be filled by various courses which examine themes of cultural identity: the ways in which major cultural entities or currents within cultures define themselves or interact with other cultures in their literature. Different courses under this number may be repeated for credit. May count toward the Global and Cultural Studies Requirement. May count toward the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion requirement.

300. Departmental Studies Staff

Four credits. Special subjects in English not covered by regular courses. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Some courses may count toward the Global and Cultural Studies Requirement. Please see the pertinent Schedule of Courses for the listing of topics courses and possible prerequisites. May count toward the Diversity, Equity and inclusion requirement. Prerequisite: At least four credits of English or consent of the instructor.

310. Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry Gannon

Four credits. Offered in 2019-20 and alternate years. Continuing work in poetry writing. Students will produce a term project in poetry. Frequent writing and regular workshop discussion of works in progress are required, along with readings and other class activities. Enrollment limited to 16 students. Prerequisite: ENG 211 or 213 or consent of the instructor.

312. Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction Gannon

Four credits. Offered in 2020-21 and alternate years. Continuing work in fiction writing. Students will produce a term project in fiction. Frequent writing and regular workshop discussion of works in progress are required, along with readings and other class activities. Enrollment limited to 16 students. Prerequisite: ENG 211 or 213 or consent of the instructor.

320. Period Studies Staff

Four credits. This course focuses on a specific literary period, with emphasis on crucial literary trends and developments taking place during this period; on historical and social contexts for this period; and on how this and other literary eras are defined. Period studies courses that have been offered in the past include Modernism, Romanticism, and Victorian Literature. Prerequisite: At least four credits of English or consent of the instructor.

330. Literary Theory Pleiss Morris/Unger

Four credits. Analysis of literary works from several critical perspectives. The course explores different critical approaches to literature in order to illustrate how the approach can change our understanding and appreciation of a literary text. Prerequisite: ENG 101 or consent of the instructor.

Four credits. Study of the drama and poetry of William Shakespeare and its lasting influence. This course includes study of the early modern theater and the socio-political history of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century England. At the same time, students will examine Shakespeare’s texts as twenty-first century readers, considering Shakespeare’s central place in criticism, classrooms, and popular forms of entertainment. Prerequisite: At least four credits of English or consent of the instructor.

380. Major Author Staff

Four credits. Different courses under this number may be repeated for credit. A slot to be filled by various courses focusing on a single major author. Attention to the arc and scope of the whole career, the accompanying critical tradition, and the literary/historical context. Authors selected for coverage will meet all or most of these requirements: they will have produced a substantial body of work: demonstrated ambition and range of imaginative scope; acted as a significant influence upon other writers; attracted substantial critical attention; and be widely understood to be of major significance. Different courses under this number may be repeated for credit. Please see the pertinent Schedule of Courses for the listing of topics courses and possible prerequisites. May count toward the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirement. Prerequisite: At least four credits of English or consent of the instructor.

402. English Teaching Methods Staff

Two credits. Study of the methods of teaching Language Arts in middle school and high school. The course examines topics including but not limited to curricular planning, modes of presentation, and teaching composition. Does not count toward a major. Prerequisite: junior standing.

450. Literary Theory Pleiss Morris/Unger

Four credits. Analysis of literary works from several critical perspectives. The course explores different critical approaches to literature in order to illustrate how the approach can change our understanding and appreciation of a literary text. Prerequisite: At least eight credits of English or consent of the instructor.

530. Senior Seminar Staff

Four credits. Offered each term. This course is designed to engage senior English majors in the conversations and research activities shared by professionals in the discipline. Students will undertake an independent research project and develop it into a major paper through a collaborative writing process. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and senior standing, or permission of the chair of the department.