B.A. in English

Surveys genres and modalities of professional writing, including social media and writing for the web. Provides an overview of areas such as digital publishing, new media journalism, business and technical writing, and editing. Develops a rhetorical understanding of professional writing as the ability to write in response to elements including audience, purpose, medium, and design.

This course provides a way for students to integrate theory and practice. Students will apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom by interning at a business, government agency, or at another field experience site approved by the Major-Minor Coordinator in the department. Students will fulfill their duties in a learning contract developed by their on-site supervisor and faculty sponsor. Student performance will be assessed via products agreed upon with the faculty sponsor, including, but limited to, weekly journals, reflective papers, and research proposals or projects.

In-depth study and research of a topic combined with a major writing project (e.g., seminar paper, pedagogical unit, collection of short stories) of at least 15 pages. The project will situate the student's original work in a scholarly context and should have direct ties to the student's intended career path. At the end of the semester, students will present their work before a faculty panel. The course will also include career and graduate school preparation (investigating options, preparing and submitting resumes or applications, etc.). Should be taken in the final year of the students' major coursework.

Study of narrative and dramatic works with an emphasis on literature. When offered for 4 credits, this course will be dual listed with GSR 210, 220, or 240 and will address the Student Learning Outcomes of these courses.

Study of narrative and dramatic works with an emphasis on literature. When offered for 4 credits, this course will be dual listed with GSR 210, 220, or 240 and will address the Student Learning Outcomes of these courses.

Memoir is one of the hot genres right now. Real stories affect us in ways that fictional stories don’t. There is power in knowing that the stories we are reading really happened to the person who wrote it--or at least they claim the stories happened! People aren’t always truthful, and memories are not always reliable; we will talk about this too as we read, discuss, and analyze memoirs by deaf and hard of hearing writers from a variety of backgrounds. We will read memoirs from members of the Deaf community, and from those outside of it--and of many different intersectional identities. 

Study of important and representative works of popular culture, genres, and literary forms. When offered for 4 credits, this course will be cross-listed with GSR 210, 220, or 240 and will address the Student Learning Outcomes of these courses. The course can be repeated if topic changes.

Study of important and representative works of literature and literary forms that make up the African American literary tradition. When offered for 4 credits, this course will be dual listed with GSR 210, 220, 230, or 240 and will address the Student Learning Outcomes of these courses.

Study of important and representative works of literature by women. The unifying theme of this course is the creative expression by women, in all genres and including journals, of their personal and cultural experiences. An introduction to feminist critical theory will be offered to provide a context for the works. When offered for 4 credits, this course will be dual listed with GSR 210, 220, 230, or 240 and will address the Student Learning Outcomes of these courses.

Study and intensive practice of writing in digital environments, with a focus on journalistic contexts. Examines technical and rhetorical features of online environments, including interactivity, hyperlinking, spatial orientation, and non-linear storytelling. Focuses on the writing conventions and standards of digital media, as well as editing techniques and competencies.

Study and intensive practice of composition in social media genres. Examines rhetorical conventions for digital communication and the dissemination of information through social media for professional purposes, including developing a social media content strategy and analytics. Integrates editing techniques and competencies. May also cover theoretical issues such as copyright and authorship, visual literacy, and moderation of collaborative online environments.

The genre of travel literature encompasses outdoor literature, guidebooks, nature writing, and travel memoirs. This course will focus on a specified topic that includes a selection of fictional and non-fictional texts all included under the broad category of 'travel literature'. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours if topics differ.

Since ancient times, ghost stories have played an important role in storytelling and in folklore from cultures around the world.  As we read and analyze ghosts in literature, folklore, and pop culture, we will assess how these stories create voice and identity, and how ghosts are used as metaphors. Readings will include the nineteenth-century rise of Spiritualism, a religion essentially devoted to ghosts; the Indian bhuta; the Hungry Ghost Festival in China; and the role of ghosts in Mexico. The course readings also will help us unpack American history that is on the fringes as we grapple with the ways that individual identities are constructed within historical memory.

Study and intensive practices of inventing, shaping, producing, and delivering text, audio, video, and images aesthetically and purposefully. Examines various genres of and technical platforms for multimedia composition. Integrates editing techniques and competencies. May also cover theoretical issues relevant to digital media such as universal access and participatory culture.

This course is a survey of representative writers and literary forms that make up the Hispanic-American literary tradition.

Study of media literacy, including techniques and strategies used to analyze the use of diverse media to inform, entertain, and sell. Examines diverse media messages in advertisements, television, film, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet.

This course will employ critical literacy and graphic novels’ academic disciplines and encourage students to apply various popular graphic novels’ knowledge, modes of inquiry, and technological competence.  In addition, students will learn and discuss how graphic novels can be used as resources for critical literacy and deliver messages about the current social issues. The reading assignments will provide a variety of situations and characters to develop moral reasoning skills to address the positions and challenges provided in the readings regarding the -isms and the balance of privilege/power.

Study and intensive practice of professional writing skills and genres, such as resumes, letters of application, emails, memos, short proposals and reports.

Study and intensive practice of professional writing skills and genres, with a focus on longer proposals and reports.

Study and intensive practice of professional writing skills and genres, with a focus on grant applications and reports, letters of introduction, and other fundraising materials.

This course will deal with these features: news, feature, and editorial writing; copy editing and fact checking; headline writing; and page layout, both in print and online. This course touches on the growing possibilities and ethical considerations for journalism in the digital age.

This course is designed to prepare students to work in Gallaudet University's English Center (Tutorial and Instructional Programs) and will also provide a foundation in theory and practice for similar tutorial and instructional contexts. This course focuses on strategies for teaching writing and reading, particularly in one-on-one conference settings, and gives students practical tutoring experience. Students will read and discuss applicable theory and will complete a practicum in Gallaudet University's English Center. Before taking the course, students need to complete the Tutorial and Instructional Program application process.

Surveys theories of composition and language acquisition, with the aim of providing a context for students interested in teaching professions. Examines current cognitive studies of how people learn and use language. Students will write compositions following the different approaches studied.

Introduction to the study and intensive practice of creative writing. The course will touch on fiction, drama, poetry, and other creative forms. Analysis and critique of students' writings in group and individual conferences. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credit hours if topics differ.

Intermediate study and intensive practice in creative writing in a specific genre or topic. Intended for intermediate level students with knowledge of and experience in the fundamentals of creative writing in the genre or topic of study (topics will vary by semester). Analysis and critique of students' writings in group and individual conferences. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credit hours if topics differ.

This course provides students with an overview of multicultural literature in conjunction with the historical and contemporary issues facing each culture. The texts discussed in this course may include Hispanic/Chicano/Chicana literature, African American literature, American Indian literature, Deaf literature, Gay/Lesbian literature, English from the former colonies/postcolonial literature, and others. The course will focus on the techniques and strategies implemented by the authors to undermine and question mainstream attitudes and values through an investigation of questions such as these: What is "minority?" How is identity formulated in the margins?

Introduction to quality adolescent literature and examination of issues relevant to the reading and teaching of the genre. The history and characteristics of adolescent literature will be explored, along with theoretical approaches to reading and interpretation, issues of multiculturalism and diversity, and the relationships between adolescent literature and 'classic' adult literature.

In-depth study of literature in the context of significant theoretical questions. Examines primarily American and British texts exemplary of key moments, movements, and discourses. May also include authors writing in English from other cultures. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.

In-depth study of literature in the context of significant theoretical questions. Examines primarily American and British texts exemplary of key moments, movements, and discourses. May also include authors writing in English from other cultures. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.

This course is an analysis of the poetic and dramatic structure of some of Shakespeare's major comedies, tragedies, romances, and history plays, with a consideration of the background of the plays.

This course is a study of the life and works of a major author writing in the English language, such as Chaucer or Milton. The author to be studied in any given semester will be announced at registration.

Advanced study of English grammar, structure, and usage. Focuses on applying the principles of grammar in one's own writing and in the teaching of writing. Reinforces students' cognitive knowledge of English grammar. Also covers skills and technical aspects of editing.

Individual work for juniors and seniors in an area of special interest; designed and carried out by the student in consultation with the instructor.

This course is one within which creating play scripts for the theatre is explored through active practice and discussion. Major components of play creating, including action, dialogue, and character development are studied and refined through the completion and workshopping of developmental assignments, providing and receiving constructive criticism, and experiencing the work of contemporary theatre makers via readings and viewings. Upon completion of the course, each student will have created and revised two ten-minute plays. Open to non-majors..