Department of Language and Literature

Mission

Since scholars in the ancient world studied the Iliad, when Talmudic scholars studied the Torah, or as we translate the stories of indigenous peoples, the studies of language, literature, and cultures have been connected nearly seamlessly. Texts are alive in many media: the ways we build our homes, the ways we speak with each other, the ways we rear our children, the ways we approach the divine. In this department we seek to maintain these connections and encourage the studies of the way we talk, write, think, create, and live to enrich and inform one another in a challenging, nurturing, and vibrant environment. If a student likes to read, write, listen, create as a community of poets, scholars, travelers, and adventurers, this can be their academic home.

Faculty

David Adkins, Catherine Becker, Darrin Grinder, Julie Straight (Department Chair).

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will think critically, express themselves clearly, research successfully, and demonstrate an appreciation for the medium of language (Transformation).
  2. Students will read and engage with Western and world literature, including canons and alternative canons (Truth).
  3. Students will demonstrate a concrete knowledge of authors and their literary works, articulating the author and work's place in the culture from which they arose and in the literary world as a whole (Truth).

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

ELWR1061: Academic Language Acquisition

Credits 3
This course integrates academic listening strategies, note-taking and academic discussion in addition to other preparation to give English as a Second Language (ESL) students the skills required to fully participate in the university classroom. A general academic vocabulary list taught through listening activities aids students' acquisition of frequently-used terms in an undergraduate course level context.

ELWR1062: Academic Language Acquisition II

Credits 3
This course is a continuation of Academic Language Acquisition I. The course integrates academic listening strategies, note-taking and academic discussion in addition to other preparation to give ESL students the skills required to fully participate in the university classroom. The professor tailors the course to emphasize words and constructions frequently used in the students' major areas of study.

ELWR1063: Course-specific Language Support

Credits 3
This adjunct model course links to a traditional undergraduate content course. The goal of this course is to provide ESL students the language skills and study strategies that can be further applied to other undergraduate courses. Particular focus will be given to the following skills: identifying the main idea of a passage, skimming the reading content, taking appropriate lecture notes, and writing succinct summaries. May be repeated once for credit.

ENGL1040: Introduction to Academic Writing

Credits 3

Recommendation: Students should take this course in their first year.

A course that introduces students to the rigors of academic writing. Key elements include practicing the critical reading and summary of texts; finding and using evidence correctly; developing lines of inquiry; analyzing complex claims; and applying the rhetorical strategies that lead to successful academic writing. Students will also develop a metacognitive understanding of their reading, writing, and thinking processes.

 

ENGL2120: English Grammar and Usage

Credits 2
A systematic review of the principles and practice of traditional English grammar and usage conventions. An introduction to morphology and phonology is provided.

ENGL2122: English Grammar and Usage/Linguistics and History

Credits 3
A systematic review of the principles and practice of traditional English grammar and usage conventions. An introduction to morphology and phonology is provided. This course will also introduce students to linguistic theory and the history of the English language, particularly as recorded throughout English literature. This course is taught partially with ENGL2120 and is offered yearly.

ENGL2610W: Introduction to Journalism

Credits 3

This course will teach students basic reporting and news writing skills, focusing on Associated Press writing style. Additionally, students will be introduced to the best journalism practices dealing with news value and judgment.

ENGL2980: Introduction to the Study of Literature

Credits 1
An introduction to the basic approaches of literary study. Although open to all students, it is designed to serve as a cohesive agent for the major program. It is required of all majors in the English department. Recommended for the sophomore year.

ENGL3010: Teaching English in the Secondary School

Credits 3
Strategies for teaching literature, grammar, writing and other communication skills necessary to effectively teach secondary English. Emphasis will be placed on teaching strategies to correspond with ELA standards and unit planning at a secondary level. Field Experience: 20-40 hours. (See EDUC3010.)

ENGL3020W: Principles of Writing

Credits 3

An advanced writing course emphasizing the thinking and writing skills necessary to develop an effective prose style. A general course appropriate for advanced students in any area, it is especially recommended for potential graduate students. This course fulfills the general-education "W" requirement.

ENGL3040W: Creative Writing - Prose

Credits 3

Principles, techniques, and practice in writing both fiction and non-fiction, including small-group work, critique, and revision. This course fulfills the general-education "W" requirement.

ENGL3050: Creative Writing - Poetry

Credits 3

Principles, techniques, and practice in writing poems. Emphasis on individual writing and small-group activities. ENGL2050 recommended prior to taking this course.

ENGL3070W: Professional and Technical Writing

Credits 3

Students will analyze audience, persuasion strategies, and communication ethics in this course. Emphasis is on document design, effective use of graphics, working collaboratively, and oral presentation. Students will produce formal business documents such as memos, reports, and proposals.

 

ENGL3090: Pedagogy of Writing in 6-12 Schools

Credits 3
An examination and application of research-based methodologies for teaching the writing process. Candidates learn how to incorporate the writing process across all content areas. Focus is on creating authentic writing opportunities that encompass a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. This course meets a portion of the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Coursework requirements of the Idaho Department of Education. (See EDUC3090)

ENGL3120: Linguistics: Structure and History of English

Credits 3
An investigation of both traditional and transformational descriptions of English with special attention to the contribution of structural linguistics to modern understanding of the operation of language. Course will also include a study of the history of the English language from the early backgrounds to Old English to modern American English.

ENGL3210: Major Authors in American Literature

Credits 3
A study of selected works of a major American author or authors. Course topics may vary by semester. Some examples of topics are: variations on the American Dream, doctors in literature, literature of the sea, small-town America, and American travel literature. May be repeated for credit.

ENGL3250: The American Novel

Credits 3
A study of the development of the American novel through reading and discussing important novels by American authors.

ENGL3310: Major Authors in British Literature

Credits 3
A study of selected works of a major British author or authors. Some examples of course topics are: faith and doubt in British literature, British fantasy from Swift to Tolkien, and poetry of the Brownings. May be repeated for credit.

ENGL3320W: Shakespeare

Credits 3

A study of representative plays through reading, viewing, and discussing comedies, tragedies, and histories. This course fulfills the general-education "W" requirement.

ENGL3350: The British Novel

Credits 3
A study of the development of the British novel through reading and discussing important novels by British authors.

ENGL3420: Literature in Translation

Credits 3
Major works of a foreign country or other geographic area (not the United States or Great Britain) will be studied in English translation. Some examples of course topics are twentieth century European literature, literature of the Far and Near East, Latin-American literature, literature of the African diaspora, or literature of European existentialism. The course topics may also focus on the works of a major author in translation. May be repeated for credit.

ENGL3750: Children's and Young Adult Literature

Credits 3

A study of literature written for children and young adults, from preschool age onward. The course samples a variety of types of literature and will prove valuable for general students, prospective teachers, or parents who wish to enrich their own background in children's and young adult literature and to develop qualitative judgment skills.

ENGL3910: Literary Theory and Criticism

Credits 3
The study and application of representative literary criticisms from Plato to the present. It is required of English and English-education majors and recommended for the junior year.

ENGL3960: Internship in Professional Writing

Credits 3
Students will work at least 100 hours in a professional writing situation, such as a newspaper, on a schedule convenient to the needs of the business or office and the students' own course work. The writing situation will be selected in consultation with the Language and Literature Department Chair. Students will have opportunity to observe and participate in all facets of the business. A supervisor in the business situation will agree to serve as editor, instructor, and supervisor, and be approved by the Language and Literature Department Chair. Credit and grade will depend upon the completion of the hours in a dependable, professional manner as verified from the supervisor to the professor.

ENGL4270W: Minority Voices in American Literature

Credits 3

A course studying the literature of American cultural minorities. Course content may be either multi-cultural or monocultural. May be repeated for credit. This course fulfills the general-education "W" requirement and fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

ENGL4980: Senior Seminar

Credits 1
A review of the English program and a commencement of a lifetime of independent reading and thinking. This course meets the university general education requirement for a capstone course. Required of all majors in the English department.

MDLG1094: Topics in Modern Language

Credits 1 3
Offered on rotation, introductory modern language topics courses are taught in multiple languages. Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, American Sign, and other languages of particular relevance to the core curriculum may be offered as topics courses. Students will acquire basic vocabulary, sounds, and structures through an emphasis on conversation. Modern language courses also provide an introduction to cultures and cultural studies. May be repeated for credit.

MDLG2094: Topics in Modern Language

Credits 1 3
Offered on rotation, introductory modern language topics courses are taught in multiple languages. Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, American Sign, and other languages of particular relevance to the core curriculum may be offered as topics courses. Students will acquire basic vocabulary, sounds, and structures through an emphasis on conversation. Modern language courses also provide an introduction to cultures and cultural studies. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN1010: Elementary Spanish I

Credits 4

For students who wish to begin the study of Spanish. The acquisition of basic vocabulary, sounds and structures with emphasis on conversation. An introduction to Spanish and Hispanoamerican cultures. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN1020: Elementary Spanish II

Credits 4

A continuation of SPAN1010. For students who wish to begin the study of Spanish. The acquisition of basic vocabulary, sounds and structures with emphasis on conversation. An introduction to Spanish and Hispanoamerican cultures. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN2010: Intermediate Spanish I

Credits 4

For students who have had at least two years of high school Spanish or one year of college Spanish. A refinement of basic skills and structure with continued emphasis on conversation and increasing emphasis on composition and reading. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN2020: Intermediate Spanish II

Credits 4

A continuation of SPAN2010. For students who have had at least two years of high school Spanish or one year of college Spanish. A refinement of basic skills and structure with continued emphasis on conversation and increasing emphasis on composition and reading. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN3010: Advanced Conversation and Composition

Credits 3

Extensive conversation with lesser emphasis on composition. Spanish-language media such as television and internet provide or supplement topics for discussion and writing. Counts for cultural or linguistic credit. May be repeated for credit once. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN3230: Spanish for the Medical Professional

Credits 3
A study of language, forms and culture for medical practitioners. Useful for students majoring in nursing, biology or chemistry. Basic conversation and communication are taught, along with highly specialized terminology.

SPAN3240: Spanish-Language Children's Literature

Credits 3
A study of various U.S. and Latin American authors of children's literature in Spanish. The course addresses the cultural and linguistic differences and similarities of Spanish-language children's literature. Various perspectives, genres and literary styles will be explored. In the course, students will examine the nature of language construction and the construction of meaning in the social context.

SPAN3310: Hispanic Civilization

Credits 3
Historical survey to the present with focus on varying themes from sociology, politics, religion and literature. The course alternates between a focus on Hispanoamerica and Spain in coordination with SPAN3510 Survey of Hispanic Literature. May be repeated once for credit. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

SPAN3510: Survey of Hispanic Literature

Credits 3
A survey of Spanish literature from the medieval or colonial times to the present. Includes the genres of poetry, drama, and novel. The course alternates between a focus on Hispanoamerica and Spain in coordination with SPAN3310 Hispanic Civilization. May be repeated once for credit.

SPAN3950: Spanish Field Experience

Credits 1 4
Language and culture field experience in the local community or the international setting. Students who work with predominantly Hispanic clientele, translate for a business, participate or volunteer in Hispanic Community events, or are in other ways using their Spanish may enroll in the field experience for credit. Up to 4 semester credits may be earned through the Spanish field experience. The field experience may be completed over one or more semesters during the academic year, depending on the nature of the experience and subject to approval by the chair of the department.

SPAN4010: Capstone

Credits 1
This course provides students with a context for reflection and self-analysis regarding their educational experience at NNU. The approach in this course to self-analysis and critical reflection is two-fold: 1) students will reflect on their comprehensive educational experience through the lens of the four university outcomes, and 2) students will think about and discuss the integration of their learning with their future, post-university lives. (See CRIM4010, HUMN4010, PSYC4010)

SPAN4970: Senior Thesis

Credits 3
A capstone experience involving the writing of a major research paper under the close supervision of a faculty member. The paper is subject to multiple stages of criticism and rewriting. The Spanish Senior Thesis integrates the study of language and culture with the sociological approach of symbolic interactionism and the works of Blumer, Mead, Denzin, and other contemporary theorists.