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Curriculum

The Language and Literature department provides courses in writing, language, and literature. The primary aim of the department is to promote the acquisition of language skills for self-expression, intellectual discourse, and literary appreciation and by these means to be one of the pillars of liberal education. The department encourages students to accept responsibility for their use of language and to teach themselves to write with clarity and force, read with critical understanding and appreciation, and think with awareness, discipline and flexibility.

The English major helps prepare students for careers in business, education, and public service, and for graduate study in fields like the ministry, law, business, government, public relations, and journalism, as well as for advanced academic study in language or literature.

The Department of Language and Literature cooperates in certifying teachers of English in secondary schools.

 

 ENGLISH MAJOR (BA)

 Core Requirements: 
  Languages  
Foreign language or Demonstrated Proficiency 6-8 credits
LL243 English Grammar 3 credits
LL212 Creative Writing or  
LL315 Advanced Composition 3 credits
LL344 Language Studies 3 credits
  Subtotal:  15-17 credits
  Literature  
LL151 Introduction to Literature 3 credits
LL380 Literary Criticism 3 credits
LL473 Introduction to Shakespeare 3 credits
LL498 Senior Seminar 3 credits
     
  Four of the following:  
LL166 American Literature II 3 credits
LL251 World Literature I 3 credits
LL252 World Literature II 3 credits
LL366 Major American Authors 3 credits
LL376 Selected British Authors 3 credits
LL379 British Literature II 3 credits
     
  Two of the following:  
LL254 Film as Literature 3 credits
LL354 Modern Drama 3 credits
LL453 Anatomy of Poetry 3 credits
LL455 History of the Novel in English 3 credits
  Subtotal:  30 credits
  Total:  45-47 credits

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ENGLISH MINOR

  Core Requirements:  
LL166 American Literature II 3 credits
LL251 World Literature I 3 credits
  or  
LL252 World Literature II 3 credits
LL315 Advanced Composition 3 credits
LL379 British Literature II 3 credits
  Subtotal:  12 credits 
     
  Electives - Any four of the following courses:
LL344 Language Studies (note prerequisite) 3 credits
LL366 Major American Authors 3 credits
LL376 Selected British Authors 3 credits
LL453 Anatomy of Poetry 3 credits
LL455 History of the Novel in English 3 credits
LL473 Introduction to Shakespeare 3 credits
CT350 History of the Theatre 3 credits
  or  
  Any other approved Language and Literature course 3 credits
  Subtotal:  12 credits 
  Total:  24 credits
Students minoring in English must have their programs approved by the Language and Literature Department during the junior year.
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GREEK MINOR

  Core Requirements:  
LL230 Introduction to Greek New Testament 3 credits
  or   
  Demonstrated Proficiency  
LL232 Introduction to New Testament Greek II 3 credits
  or  
  Demonstrated Proficiency  
LL251 World Literature I * 3 credits
LL330  New Testament Greek Reading I  3 credits
LL332 New Testament Greek Reading II 3 credits
LL344 Language Studies *  3 credits
LL391 Independent Study in Greek 3 credits
HG101 History of World Civilization * 3 credits
  Total:  18 credits
* Students should complete one of the three courses listed or an alternate course approved by their advisor.
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ENGLISH EDUCATION LICENSURE(6-12)

Core requirements for the English Major 45-47 credits
And the following four courses:  
LL254 Film as Literature 3 credits
LL256 Child and Adolescent Literature 3 credits
LL315 Advanced Composition 3 credits
LL415 Methods for Teaching English 3 credits
  Total:  54-62 credits
  Strongly recommended:  
LL212 Creative Writing 3 credits
CT209 Mass Media Writing 3 credits

Refer to Education section - Secondary & K-12 Teacher Licensure Programs - for professional education courses required.
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ENGLISH - SECOND FIELD ENDORSEMENT (6-12)

The candidate for second field endorsement in English must have licensure in Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. For a Second Field endorsement in English, the candidate is not required to take Methods for Teaching English.

LL166 American Literature II 3 credits
LL251 World Literature I 3 credits
  or  
LL252 World Literature II 3 credits
LL256 Child and Adolescent Literature 3 credits
LL315 Advanced Composition 3 credits
LL344 Language Studies 3 credits
LL366 Major American Authors 3 credits
LL376 Selected British Authors 3 credits
LL379 British Literature II 3 credits
LL453 Anatomy of Poetry 3 credits
  or  
LL455 History of the Novel in English 3 credits
LL473 Introduction to Shakespeare 3 credits
  Total:  30 credits

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English Course Descriptions:

LL101 College Composition I 3 credits
Develops basic skills in clear and appropriate expression in varied writing situations according to the standards of written English. Considers ways to find ideas using various invention techniques, and to develop them in expository essays, which are evaluated with a portfolio system. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher. (Fall)

LL101L College Composition I Lab 0 credits
A supervised lab that allows students to practice basic English skills and develop their writing for LL101. Helps to fulfill the objectives of LL101 by assisting students who need individual instruction. Required for all students enrolled in LL101 with an English ACT score of less than 18.

LL102 College Composition II 3 credits
Continues work of Composition I, adding practice in argument and persuasion and other rhetorical techniques. Requirements include preparation of a research paper from library sources. Continues work on diction, usage, and sentence structure. Prerequisite: LL101 with at least C-. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher. (Spring)

LL107 Honors Composition I 3 credits
This course parallels LL101. Admission to LL107 is by invitation based upon a minimum ACT composite score of 26 or a minimum SAT composite score of 1760. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher.
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LL108 Honors Composition II 3 credits
This course parallels LL102. Prerequisite: LL107 or LL101 with a course letter grade of A and the instructor’s recommendation. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher.

LL151 Introduction to Literature 3 credits
Samples a variety of fiction, drama, and poetry concerned with themes of recurring interest in the world’s literature. Considers how literature should be read and tries various approaches to reading and writing about literature.

LL166 American Literature II 3 credits
Survey of American literature and literary movements since the Civil War with emphasis on critical analysis of fiction and poetry.

LL212 Creative Writing 3 credits
Study of some basic techniques of original composition and practice in writing fiction, verse, and dialogue. (as listed)

LL230 Introduction to New Testament Greek I (RP230) 3 credits
Equips students with a fundamental understanding of grammar, syntax and vocabulary of biblical Greek. (Fall, even)

LL232 Introduction to New Testament Greek II (RP232) 3 credits
Continuation of LL230 through the reading of the Johannine literature of the Bible. (Spring, odd)

LL243 English Grammar 3 credits
Introduction to traditional English grammar with elements of structural and transformational grammar. (Fall)

LL251 World Literature I 3 credits
Survey of great Western and non-Western literature from all periods through the Renaissance. Includes such classics as Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bible, the Iliad, Greek tragedy, Koran, Aeneid, and Divine Comedy. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or professor’s permission. (Fall)

LL252 World Literature II 3 credits
Survey of great works of Western and non-Western literature from the Enlightenment to the present time. Also includes contemporary Oriental and African fiction. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. (Spring)
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LL254 Film as Literature 3 credits
Study of camera techniques, editing, the use of light, color, and sound, and literary techniques of film making to understand how films convey meaning. Important motion pictures will be analyzed for value content. Does not meet the general education requirement for literature. (as listed)

LL256 Child and Adolescent Literature ( ED256) 2 credits
Study of Traditional and modern literature for children and adolescents. Does not meet the general education requirement for literature. (Spring)

LL315 Advanced Composition 3 credits
Study of the techniques of good expository writing with attention to the development of prose style in practical academic writing situations. (as listed)

LL330 New Testament Greek Reading I (RP330) 3 credits
Introduction to exegesis and textual criticism. Prerequisite: LL230 and LL232 or consent of instructor. (Fall, odd)

LL332 New Testament Greek Reading II (RP332) 3 credits
Continuation of LL330 through the translation of other Hellenistic Greek literature. (Spring, even )

LL344 Language Studies 3 credits
Investigation of the history of languages, particularly the development of English, with some attention to dialects, semantics, etymology and general linguistics. (Spring)

LL354 Modern Drama 3 credits
American, English, and European drama from Ibsen to the present. Approaches drama as literature, looking at such technical elements as plot, point of view, symbolism, characterization, and theme. Meets general education requirement in Literature. (as listed)
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LL366 Major American Authors 3 credits
Critical reading of a few major American authors from the Colonial to Civil War periods, and study of the corresponding literary and intellectual movements. Emphasizes Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and Melville. (as listed)

LL376 Selected British Authors 3 credits
Careful reading of some of the masters of British literature, such as Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, and Donne. (as listed)

LL379 British Literature II 3 credits
Survey of British literature of the Romantic and subsequent periods with emphasis on poetry. (as listed)

LL380 Literary Criticism 3 credits
An historical overview and practical introduction to literary theory and criticism. Students will practice applying major critical paradigms to poems and prose works. Designed primarily for majors, who will apply what they learn in classes at Sterling College and in graduate school. Theory may be of interest to students in some other majors. Addresses some Secondary English licensure standards.

LL396 Writing Internship up to 3 credits
An opportunity for selected students to earn credit for writing experiences, usually in a job setting. Open only to upper division students who have made application and been accepted during the previous semester.

LL398 Directed Readings 1-2 credits
With permission, English majors may do individual reading for credit. Limited to two semester hours credit in any one semester and cumulative total of four semester hours.

LL453 Anatomy of Poetry 3 credits
Careful reading and analysis of American and British poetry especially. Some poetry in translation may be read. Primary attention will be paid to poetic forms and how form compliments meaning.

LL455 History of the Novel in English 3 credits
Careful reading of several British and American masterpieces of fiction from the eighteenth century to the present day, with attention to the history and development of the novel and the background of the authors, and more detailed examination of themes and techniques represented in the works studied. (as listed)

LL473 Introduction to Shakespeare 3 credits
Life and times of Shakespeare with an intensive study of selected tragedies, comedies and histories. (as listed)

LL 498, 499 Senior Seminar 3 credits
Designed to acquaint the Senior with current issues in the discipline and culture and with schools of literary criticism, and to suggest ways of integrating the field with Christian theology and values. Involves a research project and production of a major paper. (Fall for 2 credits, spring for 1 credit; or may be taken for 3 credits in the fall)

In addition to regularly scheduled courses that meet requirements of various programs, the Department also offers curriculum enrichment courses which also meet the general education requirement in Literature. The following courses are offered on a rotating basis during Interterm:

LL167 Voices of the Southwest  
LL174 Literary London  
LL178 C. S. Lewis and His Friends  
LL261 Images of the Cowboy  
LL263 The Lost Generation: Hemingway and Fitzgerald in Paris  
LL273 Arthurian Romance  

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SPANISH

LL121 Spanish I Conversational 3 credits
LL122 Spanish II Conversational 3 credits

These courses are designed to introduce students to basic conversational Spanish and fundamentals of grammar, starting from the beginning and building increasing levels of competency. Reading and writing skills will be introduced.