English 4610/7610: History of the English LanguageMatthew Gordon
Section 1
MTWRF 12:10-2:10
This course examines the history of English from the prehistoric roots that bind it to other languages of Europe and Asia,
through the period of its earliest attestation, and into the modern era. We will see that English has undergone dramatic
alterations throughout its life, and we will look at changes in sounds, grammar, meaning, and vocabulary. To understand
these changes and why they occur, we will look for explanations in both the structure of the language and in the social
history of its speakers. We will approach the subject from the perspective of modern linguistics and will, therefore,
also develop familiarity with the theory and analytical methods of this field. (Same as Linguistics 4610/7610)
English 4700/7700: Folk Culture in FilmAnand Prahlad
Section 1
TBA
English 4700/7700: Folk Culture in Film This course will examine ways in which images of folk cultures function in film. For
example, such images often negotiate tensions between polarized elements of societies, real or imagined, e.g., those in power and
the disenfranchised, the good and the evil, the natural and the artificial, male and female, etc. Rather than simply identifying
specific genres in film, we will focus on the dynamics within folk groups and interactions between these folk cultures and the
dominant groups presented in the films. The course will pay special attention to films in which recently formed subcultures are
juxtaposed with long-established folk or ethnic groups. We will view three films each week, and films will include Sugar Cane Alley,
The Serpent and the Rainbow, The Wicker Man, Water, Raise the Red Lantern, The Intended, The Village, The Blair Witch Project, and
The Last Wave. Assignments for the course will include four short essays.
8-Week Session (June 8-July 31, 2009)
2nd 4-Week Session (July 6-July 31, 2009)
English 3410: African American Literature: 1900-PresentChristopher Okonkwo
Section 1
MTWRF 9:50-11:50
African American literature offers a fascinating body of works, unique in their history, diverse in their concerns, and engaging
in their sometimes "call-and-response" conversation. Since the literature's inception centuries ago, African American writers and
artists have through their works-folk/oral tradition, poetry, autobiographies, pamphlets, fiction, drama, non-fiction prose, speeches,
paintings, songs and other cultural productions-contemplated the various issues integral to the complex experience of people of
African descent in the United States. This course surveys important twentieth-century historical moments, writers, and works, as well
as some of the intellectual debates and theories that have helped define the African American literary tradition. We will examine the
tradition mainly from a historical, theoretical and critical standpoint and also supplement our readings and discussions with photographs,
documentaries and audio recordings of significant, African American historical and literary figures and sociopolitical events.
MTWTF 12:10-2:10
As important as writing is to most of us who study English or any academic discipline, it is also often one of the hardest things we do.
If you're like me, you may find that you procrastinate when given a writing assignment, and you may find it hard to complete longer
writing projects (like research-based papers, theses, and dissertations). This course is intended to address these difficulties by
working with issues of motivation and control of writing. We'll work with "mindfulness" practices, including non-sectarian meditation
and breathing awareness, in order to help facilitate greater focus. All students will also need to be able to commit to writing for
at least 15 minutes every day and reporting on their writing process. In short, this course is meant to address the whole process of
writing rather than the final product.
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