UPPER-LEVEL ELECTIVES

ENGL4060/6060: STUDIES IN COMPOSITION

DR. AMY LEE LOCKLEAR

Ever wonder why you learned to write the way you do (and why teachers teach writing the way we do)? Come explore that “why” in Studies in Composition. This course guides students through the evolution of composition’s key theories and their influence on pedagogy and practice. During this semester, we will explore some of the more influential theories (including some rebels) in an effort to put them in cultural and historical context, especially in terms of practical relevance to students and professionals. But studying theory isn’t just for those who plan to teach; exploring the “whys” and “hows” of writing practices through the theories that inform them can revolutionize the way you practice your own writing

ENGL 4550/6550: VICTORIAN GOTHIC

DR. HEATHER WITCHER

What are you afraid of? Imprisonment. Eavesdropping. Mysterious pasts. Explore Gothic tropes and elements of terror and horror in our analysis of canonical Victorian texts like Dracula or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, alongside poetry and shorter prose pieces You’ll encounter vampires, ghosts, split personalities, murdered wives and lovers, mistaken identities, and an assortment of other monsters and psychoses. Throughout, we’ll question what fears and anxieties form the core of the Gothic imagination and consider why we’re still drawn to monstrosity today by analyzing series like Sherlock, Penny Dreadful, and Ripper Street