UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

Literature (LIT) and Language (LANG)

Associate Professor Ashburn (Chair); Professors Caulfield, Chess, Downes, Gillum, Hopes, Moseley, Rackham; Associate Professors Ho, D. James, Katz; Assistant Professors Horvitz, Russell; Visiting Assistant Professors Hobby, McCormick; Lecturer Ewing

Concentration in Literature

The concentration in Literature offers students an opportunity to study world literature rather than only British and American literatures. It concentrates on the direct experience of fiction, drama and poetry, as well as on placing authors and their works within a literary history and cultural context. Literature courses incorporate extensive participation in class discussion, group inquiry and individual research.

A sequence of core courses offers broad coverage of the field of literature and provides a solid foundation for majors who plan to continue the study of literature in graduate school. The study of literature also prepares students well for law, medicine, business and other graduate programs.

1. Required courses in the major--36 hours, including: LIT 241, 321, 322, 323, 324, 491; one course from 354 or 356; one course from 483, 485, 487 or 489. In addition, students must choose one of the following options: a) 12 additional hours in LIT, with at least 9 hours at the 300-400-level; or b) 9 hours of LIT courses at the 300-400 level, and 3 hours of creative writing. Note: an internship experience cannot be used as the creative writing course.
2. Required courses outside the major--None.
3. Foreign language requirement--A minimum of six semester hours.
4. Other departmental requirements--A two-part demonstration of competency in the discipline, including a written examination and Senior Thesis; an additional demonstration of oral competency is required in LIT 491. Computer competency is demonstrated in LIT 491.

Concentration in Creative Writing

The concentration in Creative Writing offers students the opportunity and incentive to develop their writing in a workshop setting and to support their writing with a strong background in literary studies. Students accepted into the program will receive individual assistance in understanding and extending their skills in writing poetry, fiction and/or playwriting. The goal of the program is to foster confident undergraduate writers who work with a sound knowledge of their own literary tradition and who can produce works of publishable quality.

1. Required courses in the major--36 hours, including: Literature courses--LIT 241; 9 hours selected from 321, 322, 323, 324; one course from 354 or 356. Language courses--9 hours of creative writing (LANG 353 and above), with at least 3 hours at the 400-level; LANG 497. In addition, students must choose one of the following options: a) 9 additional hours in LIT, with at least 6 hours at the 300-400-level, or b) LANG 260, and 6 hours of LIT courses at the 300-400 level. Note: an internship experience cannot be used to fulfill one of the LANG course requirements.
2. Required courses outside the major--None.
3. Foreign language requirement--A minimum of 6 semester hours.
4. Other departmental requirements--A two-part demonstration of competency in the discipline, including a written examination and a Senior Creative Writing Project; an additional demonstration of oral competency will be fulfilled by a required public reading of creative work in the senior year. Computer competency is demonstrated in LIT 497.

English with Teacher Licensure

Designed especially for prospective teachers, this concentration prepares students in a broad range of areas expected of English teachers: literature, composition, language and drama, speech or communications.

1. Required courses in the major--30 hours, including: LIT 241, 321, 322, 323, 324, 352; 354 or 356; 3 hours from 483, 485, 487 or 489; 491; LANG 323
2. Required courses outside the major for 9-12 licensure--Students may choose one of the following courses: DRAM 102, 210 or 317. Required courses outside the major for K-6 licensure--None. (See Education section for full licensure requirements.)
3. Foreign language requirement--A minimum of 6 semester hours.
4. Other departmental requirements for 9-12 licensure--3 additional hours of electives chosen from LANG 367/MCOM 367, MCOM 382 or a 300-400 level Literature course; demonstration of competency examination; required professional education courses. (See Education section.) Students seeking middle school or secondary school licensure should view education licensure in the catalog and see their appropriate education advisor. Computer competency is demonstrated in LIT 491.

Declaration of Major in Literature and Language

Declaring a major in Literature requires the student to complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the department chair. Before declaring a major, students must satisfy the LANG 120 requirement.

Minor in Literature

18 hours in Literature: LIT 241 (with no more than three additional hours selected from 200-level courses), six hours selected from LIT 321, 322, 323, 324; six to nine additional hours selected from courses above 300 level.

Minor in Creative Writing

18 hours in Literature and Language courses: LIT 241, 6 hours selected from LIT 321, 322, 323, 324; 9 additional hours selected from LANG 353, 361, 363, 365, 366, 367, 461, 463, 465 (at least 3 of these hours must be at the 400 level).

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center provides support in composition to everyone in the university community. Faculty guidance and peer tutoring are available for all kinds of writing at all stages of the writing process, from drafting and revising to reviewing grammar and mechanics. Occasionally, instructors may require students to seek assistance for specific writing needs.

Courses in Language

103 Writing Intensive Workshop (1)

Offered for students who need more personal attention, support, and guidance in writing. Enrollment is concurrent with LANG 120 and stems from faculty evaluation at the beginning of the semester. (Grading S/U). Fall and Spring.

120 Foundations of Academic Writing (3)

Emphasizes writing as a tool of discovery and analysis; practice in active, critical reading; and attention to audience, purpose, and structure. Also introduces students to writing conven tions of various discourse communities and serves as an Information Literacy Intensive course. Fall and Spring

260 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)

A first workshop experience for students interested in the composition of poetry, fiction and other imaginative writing. Prerequisite: completion of freshman composition requirement. Fall and Spring.

323 The Teaching of Writing and Standard Grammar (3)

Approaches to teaching writing, improving writing skills, learning self-evaluation and methods of evaluating others; demonstration of a working knowledge of standard grammar and usage. See department chair.

351 Writing for Business and the Professions (3)

Application of the writing process to the special needs of business and professional contexts. Prerequisite: freshman composition requirement. See department chair.

353 Advanced Essay Writing (3)

An advanced writing course in which students further develop their language skills by writing essays on interdisciplinary topics using a variety of modes: argumentation, exposition, narration and description. The thematic focus of the course may vary. Prerequisites: freshman composition requirement; 45 credit hours. See department chair.

361 Poetry Writing Workshop (3)

A workshop in writing for students' creative efforts: classroom presentations; development of the beginning writer's critical ability. May be repeated once for credit. See department chair.

363 Fiction Writing Workshop (3)

A forum for students' creative efforts: classroom presentations; development of the beginning writer's critical ability. May be repeated once for credit. See department chair.

365 Playwriting Workshop (DRAM 365) (3)

Beginning playwriting; development of scenario, dialogue and scenes; the writing of an original one-act play. See department chair.

366 Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3)

A workshop in the writing of creative non-fiction essays. Through the use of immersion reporting, students will learn to accurately portray a subject through narrative development, scenic construction, point of view, symbolic representation, voice, dialogue and descriptive detail. See department chair.

367 Magazine Writing Workshop (MCOM 367) (3)

A workshop in the writing of essays, articles and other professional non-fiction; planning and gathering material, writing and marketing articles for specialized and general interest publications. Prerequisite: Mass Communication majors: MCOM 201; or permission of the instructor. See department chair.

461 Advanced Poetry Writing (3)

Intensive writing experience for students with an advanced or professional interest in the writing of poetry. May include study of contemporary and/or traditional poetry. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: LANG 361; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

463 Advanced Fiction Writing (3)

Intensive writing experience for students with an advanced or professional interest in the writing of fiction, including the novel. May include study of contemporary short stories and/or novels. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: LANG 363; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

465 Advanced Playwriting (3)

Intensive writing experience for students with advanced or professional interest in the dramatic arts. A final component of this course may include development and production of student scripts. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: LANG 365. See department chair.

497 Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (3)

A significant manuscript of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, several one act plays, or a full-length play. Prerequisite: LANG 461, 463 or 465. Students may not be concurrently enrolled in LANG 497 and a course from LANG 461, 463 or 465. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. Fall and Spring.

499 Undergraduate Research in Creative Writing (1-6)

Individual work in poetry, fiction or playwriting for advanced writing majors. Prerequisites: LANG 461, 463 or 465 as appropriate. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. See department chair.

171-3, 271-3, 371-3, 471-3 Special Topics in Language (1-3)

Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.

Courses in Literature

241 Introduction to Poetry (3)

Close reading of a variety of poetic forms with emphasis on developing an appreciation of the poet's craft and vision. Prerequisite: freshman composition requirement; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

242 Southern Literature (3)

A study of Southern fiction, drama and poetry, with special attention to major Southern writers. Topic and theme may vary. Prerequisite: freshman composition requirement; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

244 African American Literature (3)

An introductory survey of black fiction, poetry and prose narrative in the United States from slavery to the present. Examines historical development as well as political and social influences. Topic and theme may vary. Prerequisite: freshman composition requirement; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

246 Introduction to Shakespeare (3)

A study of the major comedies, histories and tragedies of Shakespeare, with emphasis on cultural and historical background. Prerequisite: freshman composition requirement; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

321 Beginnings of Western Literature (3)

Major Western European literary works through the medieval period studied against their literary, historical and intellectual backgrounds. Prerequisite: LIT 241; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

322 Western Literature: Renaissance to Enlightenment (3)

Major works of English and continental literature from the Renaissance through the Neo-classic periods, studied against their literary, historical and intellectual backgrounds. Prerequisite: LIT 241; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

323 Western Literature: Romantic to Modern (3)

Major works of English and continental literature from the Romantic through the Modern periods, studied against their literary, historical and intellectual backgrounds. Prerequisite: LIT 241; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

324 American Literary Tradition (3)

The American experience, from the beginning to the present, examined through its literature. Emphasis on major writers. Prerequisite: LIT 241; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

349 Studies in Contemporary Literature (3)

New forms of poetry and fiction by current authors. Emphasis on imaginative qualities as well as critical analysis. Prerequisite: LIT 323; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

351 Beginning Old English (3)

An introductory study of Old English prose and poetic texts with relevant cultural and historical background. No prior familiarity with Old English required. See department chair.

352 History of the English Language (3)

Studies in the development of the English language from its Indo-European backgrounds to the present; introduction to several aspects of linguistics; elementary readings in Old and Middle English. See department chair.

354 Masterpieces of Drama (3)

An intensive survey of major dramatic works focusing on historical development from Greek drama to the present, on various types of drama, and on an analysis of the distinctive elements of dramatic literature as an art form. See department chair.

355 Modern Drama (DRAM 355) (3)

A study of form and meaning in modern drama from Ibsen to the present. See department chair.

356 Art of the Novel (3)

An intensive study of the novel and its historical dimensions with emphasis on meaning and technique. See department chair.

357 Modern Poetry (3)

An intensive study of modern poets. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 241; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

358 Black Literature (3)

A major author, topic, or theme studied in historical/intellectual context; or an in-depth study of two or three authors. May focus on Afro-American, African or Caribbean writers. May be repeated for credit as content varies. See department chair.

359 Major Women Writers (3)

An in-depth study of two or three major women writers. May be repeated as content varies. See department chair.

360 Modern Jewish Writers (3)

Major authors, topics or themes studied in historical, cultural and/or intellectual contexts. May include works in translation and may focus on American, European, Middle Eastern, African or Asian Jewish writers. May be repeated for credit as content varies. Every other year.

365 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (CLAS 365) (3)

An introduction to the literature of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in translation. Examines the many forms of literature in the biblical library through close reading; explores the history, culture and religion of ancient Israel against the backdrop of the ancient Near East and introduces students to several modern critical approaches to the study of the Hebrew Bible. See department chair.

441 Studies in Ancient Literatures (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., Greek Drama, Old Testament, Virgil) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 321; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

442 Studies in Medieval Literature (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., mystery plays, medieval lyrics, Boccacio) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period 700-1500. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 321; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

443 Studies in the Renaissance (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., Tudor drama, religious poetry, Spenser) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period 1500-1660. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 322; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

444 Studies in the 17th and 18th Centuries (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., Augustan satire, Restoration Comedy, Samuel Johnson) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 322; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

445 Studies in 19th-Century Literature (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., Hawthorne and Melville, Romantic poetry, the Naturalist Movement) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 323; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

446 Studies in Modern Literature (3)

A major author, topic or theme (e.g., Kafka, Existentialist writing, the Lost Generation) studied against the historical and intellectual background of the period. May be repeated as content varies. Prerequisite: LIT 323; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

483 Seminar in Chaucer (3)

An intensive study of The Canterbury Tales and other texts as relevant, in Middle English. Prerequisite: LIT 321. See department chair.

485 Seminar in Shakespeare (3)

An intensive study of a theme or topic in Shakespeare (e.g., the minor plays, Shakespeare and Marlowe, Shakespeare's sources). Prerequisite: LIT 322. See department chair.

487 Seminar in Milton (3)

An intensive study of Paradise Lost and other texts as relevant. Prerequisite: LIT 322. See department chair.

489 Seminar in a Major Author (3)

An intensive study of one major author. May be repeated more than once for credit as content changes. Prerequisite: LIT 321. See department chair.

491 Senior Seminar (1)

A synthesizing and unifying course devoted to important issues in literary philosophy, criticism and history; senior paper written as part of requirements. Prerequisite: senior standing; or permission of department chair. Fall and Spring.

499 Undergraduate Research in Literature (1-6)

Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. See department chair.

171-3, 271-3, 371-3, 471-3 Special Topics in Literature (1-3)

Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.

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