English programs
Our department's mission is to cultivate educated citizens who
- READ WIDELY, delighting in texts that challenge them
- REASON CAREFULLY, sensitive to textual nuance and cultural contexts
- THINK CREATIVELY, aspiring to broaden their minds and express their souls
- WRITE BOLDLY, attentive to the needs of diverse audiences
- SERVE FAITHFULLY, rooted in the God-given power of language to inspire, inform, persuade and heal
English teaching
Share your passion for story with readers and writers in grades 5–12. In addition to your English classes, you’ll take courses in an education department that is one of only 4 in Iowa to be NCATE accredited.
Literature
Our “loose canon” approach means you’ll read widely. Along with courses covering Chaucer and Twain, you can also take classes like Literature of the Developing World and Native American Literature.
Writing and rhetoric
Our interdisciplinary writing major requires you to add a second major or minor. Students have paired it with business, history, political science, public relations and religion. Creative writers can choose from courses in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting.
Writing and Rhetoric Major
| Requirements | | ENG 221 - Responding to Writing This course will enable students to develop a theorized practice for responding to writing. Students will study methods of response, conferencing strategies, approaches to revision, English as a Second Language (ESL), interpersonal dynamics, and the ethics of text intervention. As a course requirement, students must satisfy a practicum commitment by working a minimum of one hour per week (for pay) in the Writing Center. Prerequisite: recommendation of a writing instructor. (2 credits) | | ENG 235 - Introduction to Rhetorical Studies This course functions primarily as an introduction to rhetoric and rhetorical analysis. It is designed to introduce students to the major and the minor in writing and rhetoric. Topics include the rhetoric of ancient Greece, definitions of rhetoric, past and present, rhetorical analysis of texts, and analysis of the rhetor's purpose, situation, genre and audience.(2 credits) | | ENG 290 - The Art of the Essay A study of some of the best contemporary American non-fiction writing on such subjects as politics, the arts, religion, natural science and medicine. Students write on similar topics and develop their own style by emulating such models.Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher), or permission of instructor.(2 credits) | | ENG 292 - Introduction to Narrative and Verse | | ENG 297 - The Rhetoric of Persuasion A study of the methods of persuasion: logical and emotional appeals and trustworthiness, ways of structuring arguments, and persuasive style. Students will learn to create and critique arguments on a variety of subjects. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher), or permission of instructor. (4 credits) | | ENG 401 - History and Theory of Rhetoric Designed to provide solid grounding in Greek and Roman rhetorical theory and practice including studies in pre-literate rhetoric and the theories of Aristotle and Plato, among others. Some attention is also given to the Christianizing of rhetorical theory during the Middle Ages. Finally, the course concludes with the examination of trends in contemporary rhetoric studies and topical applications.Prerequisite: junior class standing, ENG235 recommended.(4 credits) | | Choose one course: 4 | | ENG 350 - Reading and Writing Short Fiction | | ENG 351 - Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction | | ENG 352 - Reading and Writing Poetry | | Cognate requirements | | THE 111 - Public Speaking This course emphasizes the improvement of public speech habits and the development of proficiency in the organization and presentation of ideas.(2 credits) | | Electives: 10 | | Choose at least two credits:* | | ENG 380 - Special Topics in Writing Specific subject matter of this course will vary from semester to semester, but will always focus on an issue in composition studies or a genre of writing. Courses will include both readings and student writing within the genre and will be designed to welcome both majors and non-majors.Prerequisite: ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher).(2-4 credits) | | ENG 387 - Special Topics in Rhetoric Specific subject matter of this course will vary from semester to semester, but will always focus on an issue in rhetorical studies or a genre of writing. Courses with writing as their emphasis will include both readings and student writing within the genre.Prerequisite: ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher).(2-4 credits, non-yearly, consult department) | | Choose at least two credits: | | COM 185 - Media Writing Students learn genres of writing for print and broadcast journalism and video, as well as for public relations and advertising. They learn these genres in relation to each other and in relation to their organizational contexts and audiences. Included are reporting, organizing and writing, as well as basic legal and ethical guidelines for reporters and writers in journalism and PR.Prerequisite or co-requisite: the college writing requirement.(4 credits) | | COM 217 - Communication Practicum in Print Media Practical experience working on the campus newspaper, the Beacon, or the college yearbook, the Cornerstone. Prerequisite: students must be accepted for membership on one of these publications before signing up for the practicum. (1 credit) | | COM 230 - Principles of Public Relations Introduction to the field of public relations. Its focus is on public relations theory and practice with an emphasis on emerging trends. This course is offered as an overview covering public relations history, theories, strategies and tactics.(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) | | COM 260 - News Writing and Editing Principles of clear and forceful journalistic writing. Includes fact gathering, story planning, lead and head writing. Attention to editing for improved copy, headline writing, and selection of photographs and art work.Prerequisite: COM185 or permission of instructor.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) | | COM 261 - Feature Writing Study of interviewing practices, research methods, organization, and interest-gathering techniques necessary for writing longer articles, profiles, columns and consumer affairs writing.Prerequisite: COM185 or permission of instructor.(2 credits; alternate years, consult department) | | COM 263 - Layout and Design Covers basic principles of design as they apply to a wide variety of publications. Emphasis on selecting type, art and graphics appropriate to subject matter, purpose and audience.(3 credits) | | Other electives: | | COM 417 - Internship Experience in an approved internship.(4 credits may apply toward the major) | | ENG 288 - Writing in the Professions A study of professional writing. In a writing workshop setting, students will learn to adjust style, tone and content to accomplish a definite purpose with an identified audience. They will also learn strategies for creating texts that are clear, concise and accurate. The course is especially useful for those whose career goals require facility in written communication, such as those studying marketing, public relations, advertising, management or law. All students will choose a professional to be their mentor on a writing project related to the career they are interested in. Students will also build a small portfolio of professional writing that includes letters, a memo, a resume and a research report.Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher).(2 credits) | | ENG 345 - Linguistic Perspectives on English Where did our language come from? How did English get the biggest vocabulary of any modern language? How are the words joust, yoke, and yoga related? Why is English spelling so irregular? Are there bad words? This course traces the 1500 year development of our language, from the Germanic tongue of Beowulf to the Frenchified language of Chaucer, to the many varieties of modern English spoken around the world.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) | | ENG 420 - Advanced Writing Project The heart of the course is an advanced project in artistic, journalistic, or scholarly writing. Students also assemble a portfolio of their best writing and related work, plan writing or study beyond college, and read to gather perspectives on their vocation. Prerequisite: ENG292 and one of the following: ENG350, 351 or 352. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department) | | THE 206 - Playwriting: The One-Act | | THE 407 - Playwriting: The Full-Length This continuation of the study of playwriting focuses on the challenges of the long form. The course includes the processes of writing according to classic structural principles, rewriting, formatting and submitting plays for publication.Prerequisite: THE206 or permission of instructor.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) | | Total credits required: 34 |
Notes: Students must also complete a minor or an additional major in another discipline. *Special Topics courses offered in the past include Writing the Farm, Style and Genre, Memoir, Spiritual Writing, Women and Rhetoric.
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RaiderBlogs- Adventures in ReadingJoe Sherry '01
Joe reviews and discusses what he's currently reading, which, more often than not, is science fiction or fantasy.
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