About the Course
Writing and Research in English Studies is designed to prepare students majoring
in English for the writing and research they will need to succeed in courses
at junior and senior levels.
To that end, the course focuses on:
- critical approaches to literary and cultural texts
- concepts and terms in literary theory and criticism
- research methods, techniques, and skills (both in the
library and on the Internet)
- composition of brief essays interpreting literary texts
- composition of annotated bibliographies of sources on
research questions
- composition of a longer essay drawing on research, primarily
of historical, cultural, and literary scholarship relevant to interpretation
of one of the major course texts
- MLA citation rules
- effective written communication of ideas, supporting
arguments, and discussion of examples from the text and other sources
- writing processes such as initial invention, drafting, research, peer and instructor
feedback, and revision
We will read two twentieth century novels, Hurston's Their
Eyes Were Watching God and Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, discuss
them in class, research and write about them, and compose group Web projects
to present our learning about the texts and course content. We will also
read and analyze some poetry and shorter prose works.
Readings:
- A Guide to Literary Criticism and Research, 3rd ed. Stevens and Stewart.
- A Contemporary Guide to Literary Terms. Barton and Hudson.
- The Essentials of MLA Style: A Guide. Trimmer
- Their Eyes Were Watching God,
Hurston.
- As I Lay Dying. Faulkner
Exams/Papers:
A number of short papers, two annotated bibliographies,
one longer paper and composing for the Web site.