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Course Descriptions
WIS 101: Wesleyan Integrative
Seminar Experience I.
Goal: To provide students with an understanding of the nature and
value of a Wesleyan education; to provide students with the skills and
strategies needed to make a successful transition to college; to expose students
to juxtaposed disciplinary methods and to have
students be part of an academic community committed to the free and open
exchange of ideas; to ask students to reflect critically on their beliefs and
frames of reference; and to help students discover and explore their talents and
passions through study, service,
and work.
Content: Problems and issues relating to who women are and what
tools women need to be successful in today’s world.
Taught: Fall.
Category: General Education
Credit: 3 hours; see General Education section of this Catalogue
for regulations governing enrollment in WIS 101.
WRI 100: Writing In English as
a Second Language
Goal: To improve the fluency in English of non-native speakers
through the study and practice of the processes, rhetorical modes, and
conventions of the language expected in an American college setting.
Content: This course addresses challenges faced by non-native
speakers as they apply the principles of good writing in a variety of
assignments. Such principles include paying attention to the process of writing
(prewriting, planning, drafting, seeking feedback, revising, and editing) and
accommodating readers' expectations for content and style. In particular, the
course encourages writers to marshal evidence in support of a thesis while
acknowledging opposing viewpoints.
Taught: Fall.
Credit: 3 hours.
WRI 101: Fundamentals of
College Writing
Goal: To produce confident and capable readers and writers. To
introduce students to the rigors of college-level reading and writing. To
introduce students to the processes, rhetorical modes, and conventions of
research-based argumentative
writing.
Content: This course enhances writing skills by asking students to
apply the principles of good writing in a variety of assignments. Such
principles include paying attention to the process of writing (prewriting,
planning, drafting, seeking feedback, revising, and editing) and accommodating
readers' expectations for content and style. In particular, the course
encourages writers to marshal evidence in support of a thesis while
acknowledging opposing viewpoints.
Taught: Fall, Spring.
Credit: 3 hours.
ENG 101: English Composition:
Essays
Goal: To introduce rhetorical principles that will enable students to
produce clear, concise, and effective prose. Through attention to fundamentals
of grammar, mechanics, usage, and style, to guide students in writing correct
and organized short essays, including essay
examinations.
Content: Reading and writing essays.
Taught: Annually
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of College writing
proficiency requirement.
Credit: 3 hours.
ENG 111: Reading and Writing
about Literature
Goal: Students will read, analyze, and discuss different genres of
literature to think critically and strengthen their intellectual curiosity.
They will organize and articulate their thoughts and contribute independent
judgment to class discussion.
Content: Students will explore various literary genres (short
story, poetry, drama) to strengthen their skills in close reading and literary
analysis.
Taught: Fall and/or Spring.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of College writing
proficiency requirement.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking
Credit: 3 hours
ENG 140: Digital Humanities
Goal: Students will develop close reading, analytical writing, and
media literacy skills as they study contemporary digital media.
Content: Students will explore different modes of digital media
such as online academic journals, internet-based art and literature sites,
digital films, video games, and professional blogs.
Taught: Fall and/or Spring
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of College Writing
Proficiency requirement.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking
Credit: 3 hours
ENG 211,212: Survey of United
States Literature
Goal: To familiarize students with the range of American literature
through intensive study of major American authors and texts.
Content: Writings by important literary figures from America, from
the Puritans to modern times. ENG 211 covers the 1600’s through 1865; ENG 212
covers 1865 to the present.
Taught: ENG 211, Fall; ENG 212, Spring.
Prerequisites: WIS 101 or ENG 101, and ENG 111 or ENG 140
Credit: 3,3 hours
ENG 337: Seminar in American
Literature
Goal: To study a movement, theme, genre, era, or writer(s) in
American literature. The focus of each seminar will vary. Representative
topics might include southern women writers, the American novel, American drama,
American modernism and
postmodernism.
Content: Texts by poets, dramatists, essayists, and/or novelists
as appropriate to topic. Critical essays pertaining to relevant works.
Taught: Annually.
Prerequisites: ENG 211 or 212, ENG 210
Credit: 3 hours; S-course.
ENG 347S: Seminar in World
Literature
Goal: To study a movement, theme, genre, era or writer(s) focusing
primarily on works outside the American and English traditions. The focus
of each seminar will vary. Representative topics might include Chinese poetry,
the African novel, revolutions in world
literature, the Russian novel.
Content: Texts by poets, dramatists, essayists, and/or novelists
as appropriate to topic. Critical essays pertaining to relevant works.
Taught: Alternate years.
Prerequisites: ENG 210
Credit: 3 hours; S-course.
ENG 356: Advanced Expository
Writing
Goal: To introduce students to the principles of rhetoric in
composition and criticism and to teach them to improve their writing.
Content: Theories of rhetoric and composition with emphasis upon
word choice, rhetorical tropes, argument, supporting materials, structure, and
style.
Taught: Alternate years.
Prerequisites: WIS 101 or ENG 101, and ENG 111or ENG 140, or
permission of instructor.
Credit: 3 hours.
ENG 396,397: Special Topics in
English
Goal: To allow students to concentrate on a major writer, genre, a
theme, or a limited period of literary history.
Content: Topics vary, depending on student needs and interest.
A student may take no more than two special topic courses. Representative
special topics might include Arthurian literature, , Irish literature, or Gothic
literature.
Taught: Alternate years.
Prerequisites: WIS 101 or ENG 101; ENG 111 or ENG 140; ENG 210;
ENG 201, 202, 211 or 212; or permission of instructor.
Credit: 3 hours.
Rev. 05.10