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Saint Paul College Programs
Liberal Arts and Sciences - English
Overview
The English and Communications faculty are dedicated to helping students apply the knowledge and skills gained through the study of writing and literature to successfully communicate in work and life roles. Two levels of developmental writing courses are available. The department offers a wide selection of transferable general education courses including Composition 1 and 2 and literature courses including the Survey of American Literature, The English Novel, Native American and African American Literature and an Introduction to Poetry. Students planning to transfer to a four-year degree generally enroll in Composition courses and one or two related electives as they fulfill requirements for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees.
| Course | Cr | |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 1410 | Fundamentals of Writing 1 | 4 |
| COMM 1415 | Fundamentals of Writing 2 | 4 |
| COMM 1460 | Applied Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| COMM 1510 | Customer and Occupational Relations | 3 |
| ENGL 1711 | Composition1 | 4 |
| ENGL 1712 | Composition 2 | 2 |
| ENGL 1780 | Recently Arrived - Contemporary Immigrant Literature |
3 |
| ENGL 1790 | Contemporary Writers of Color | 3 |
| ENGL 2721 | Survey of American Literature 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 2722 | Survey of American Literature 2 | 3 |
| ENGL 2730 | Post-Civil War American Novel | 3 |
| ENGL 2740 | Native American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2750 | African American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2760 | English Novel | 3 |
| ENGL 2770 | Introduction to Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 2775 | Science Fiction or Fantasy | 3 |
| ENGL 2778 | Urban Literature - Lost in the City | 3 |
Course Descriptions
COMM 1410 Fundamentals of Writing 1
This course is aimed at beginning writers who have had little instruction or experience in writing. It provides sequenced instruction in grammar use, sentence construction, and paragraph construction. Students will study models of effective sentences and paragraphs and then generate their own work. Completion of this course with a grade of “C” or better is required to continue on to COMM 1415. (Prerequisite(s): COMM 0721 or COMM 0831 or department approval) 4C/4/0/0
COMM 1415 Fundamentals of Writing 2
This course provides credits for certificate and diploma programs and is preparation for ENGL 1711. In addition to reviewing sentence mechanics, students will study a variety of writing models in both paragraph and essay formats. Students must pass the course with a “C” or better in order to move on to ENGL 1711. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or better in COMM 1410 or appropriate assessment score.) 4C/4/0/0
COMM 1460 Applied Interpersonal Communications
This course provides an opportunity to improve communication with people at work or at home. The emphasis is placed on the practical and theoretical. Students develop an understanding of human needs, self-concept, perception and emotions. With respect for diversity, students study verbal and non-verbal messages, language, listening, dimensions of interpersonal relationships, relationship building and conflict resolution. 3C/3/0/0
COMM 1510 Customer & Occupational Relations
The student is introduced to and given practical human relations skills. Skills in listening, improving self concept, assertiveness, sensitivity to cultural diversity and climate setting are included. The course emphasizes positive interpersonal communication strategies and styles involved in healthy interactions with customers and co-workers. 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 1711 Composition 1
This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. The course includes an analysis of primary and/or secondary sources with a focus on critical reading, logical reasoning, and academic research writing. (Prerequisite(s): COMM 0722 Reading 2 with a grade of "C" or better, COMM 1415 Fundamentals of Writing 2 with a grade of "C" or better, or appropriate assessment score) (MnTC: Goal 1) 4C/4/0/0
ENGL 1712 Composition 2
This course emphasizes critical reading and analytical writing using literature as the basis for composition. The course includes an analysis of primary and/or secondary sources with a focus on academic writing. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C" or better in ENGL 1711). (MnTC: Goals 1 & 2) 2C/2/0/0
ENGL 1780 Recently Arrived-Contemporary Immigrant Literature
Some of the most compelling contemporary American literature has been written by first and second-generation immigrants to the United States. This course will cover a number of works that explore the difficult process of cultural adjustment for writers of various racial and ethnic groups. The course will cover the larger narrative of coming to America but also focus on particular literary, socio-cultural, and historical issues. Students will discover how language and narrative strategies are employed by writers to create the stories of their lives: intergenerational conflicts, difficulties tied to language, and the formation and re-formation of racial and ethnic identities as writers confront the demands of a new country and life. Immigration and naturalization laws at various moments in US history and how those laws have influenced contemporary literature will be discussed. (Recommended Prerequisite(s): COMM 0722 Reading 2 with a grade of "C" or better, COMM 1415 Fundamentals of Writing 2 with a grade of "C" or better, or appropriate assessment score.) (MnTC: Goals 6 & 7) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 1790 Contemporary Writers of Color
This course examines American literature as a multi-voiced body and considers the contributions to that body by writers of color. Under consideration are writings by Native American, Asian American, African American and Latino authors. Particular attention will be given to issues of race, gender, ethnicity, class, and sexuality, and how these issues are reflected in the complicated construction of identity. As a means of considering how various racial identities are constructed and expressed in literature, contemporary and recently-published work by writers from these groups will be read. In order to provide appropriate context for readings and discussions, the class will consider relevant cultural and social histories of these writers as well. (Recommended Prerequisite(s): COMM 0722 Reading 2 with a grade of "C" or better, COMM 1415 Fundamentals of Writing 2 with a grade of "C" or better, or appropriate assessment score.) (MnTC: Goals 6 & 7) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2721 Survey of American Literature 1
A survey of American poetry, essays, novels and short stories from colonial times to the end of the Civil War. This course will help the student to discover the definitions of these distinctive genres, their unique boundaries and potential and what distinguishes them from other forms of writing. The historical, political and cultural background of the time will also be covered in this course, so that the student will find the readings to be more interesting and accessible. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1711) (MnTC: Goals 6 & 7) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2722 Survey of American Literature 2
A survey of American poetry, essays, novels and short stories from the end of the Civil War to the present. A continuation of Survey of American Literature I. This course will help the student to discover the definitions of these distinctive genres, their unique boundaries and potential and what distinguishes them from other forms of writing. The historical, political and cultural background of the time will also be covered in this course, so that the student will find the readings to be more interesting and accessible. While not a requirement, the student will find this course more enjoyable if he has first taken Survey of American Literature I. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1711) (MnTC: Goals 6 & 7) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2730 Post-Civil War American Novel
A study of the American novel after the Civil War. Beginning with Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, this course seeks to discover the unique boundaries and potential of the American novel, what distinguishes it from other forms of literature and how the form changed as the American culture changed. The historical, political and cultural background of the time will also be covered in this course, so that the student will find the readings to be more interesting and accessible. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1711 Composition) (MnTC: Goals 2 & 6) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2740 Native American Literature
Through an analysis of structural and thematic elements, this course seeks to discover the unique additions that Native American writers have brought to the traditional literary canon. Special attention will be given to the historical and cultural aspects of the text. This course is designed to introduce the concept of narrative voice in literature and provide critical techniques for its analysis. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1711) (MnTC: Goals 6 & 7) 3C/ 3/0/0
ENGL 2750 African American Literature
Through an analysis of structural and thematic elements, this course seeks to discover the unique additions that African American writers have brought to the traditional literary canon. Special attention will be given to the historical and cultural periods, such as the Harlem Renaissance. Moreover, this course is designed to introduce how African American literary criticism has been instrumental in validating and placing African American works in a literary tradition. (Prerequisite: Grade "C" or better in ENGL 1711). (MnTC Goals: 6 & 7). 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2760 English Novel
Why did the novel as a genre emerge in England during the beginning of the 18th century? Beginning with Daniel DeFoe's "Moll Flanders," this course seeks to discover the unique boundaries and potential of the English novel, what distinguishes it from other forms of literature, and how the form changed as the English culture changed. The historical, political, and cultural background of the time will also be covered in this course, so that the student will find the readings to be more interesting and accessible. (Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C" or better in Composition 1711) (MnTC: Goals 2 & 6) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2770 Introduction to Poetry
This course will focus on the formal aspects of meter and prosody in order to objectify and demystify meaning in poetry. This course will help the student discover the various poetic forms and why a poet would choose one form over another. In order to facilitate meaning, lectures and additional reading will review the social and political climates in which the poems were written. (Recommended Prerequisite(s): COMM 0722 Reading 2 with a grade of "C" or better, ENGL 1711 Composition 1 with a grade of "C" or better, or appropriate assessment score.) (MnTC: Goals 2 & 6) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2775 Science Fiction or Fantasy
This course will explore science fiction and fantasy through close and comparative readings of various texts. Together we’ll consider how the writers of these genres respond to the various challenges of the twentieth century, including shifting gender, politics, war, and the impact of new technologies on culture. This course will largely be concerned with the twin goals of articulating the writer’s critique of present social conditions and exploring how those critiques are constructed. (Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1711 with a grade of “C” or better) (MnTC: Goals 2 & 6) 3C/3/0/0
ENGL 2778 Urban Literature—Lost in the City
This course explores contemporary literature in the context of the urban landscape. Together, we’ll explore the function of the city in literature with attention to how characters both shape and are shaped by an urban existence. Also, how do various writers portray the city? As a labyrinth? A market place of cross-cultural encounters? A place of refuge? A dystopia? Through close and comparative readings, we’ll construct an informed understanding of how and why a city is portrayed by a particular writer and to what degree the city itself functions as a meaningful character in literature. (Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1711 with a grade of “C” or better) (MnTC Goals: 2 & 6) 3C/3/0/0
