Course Descriptions

All courses offered by the English Department include composition. In courses providing a fourth conf/rec hour, the teacher will use the fourth hour for instructional purposes. The CUNY ASSESSMENT TEST IN WRITING and CUNY ASSESSMENT TEST IN READING are required before registering for an English course. A student may not register for ENG 111 unless he or she has passed both the CUNY Writing and the CUNY Reading Assessment Tests. A student who has completed the semester’s work but has failed the same noncredit course (e.g., ENG 1 or 2) twice, may choose not to take the same course a third time. The student may choose to report to the Department of English Office so that he or she may be placed in a rigorous tutorial program.


ENG 9         4 rec 0 cr
Writers’ Workshop for ESL Students

Intensive review and practice of English. Development of increased proficiency in academic writing; paragraph and essay structure and grammar. In-depth reading program to enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Prerequisite: ESL 3, or placement on the ENG 9 level. Successful completion of this course is equivalent to successful completion of ENG 1.

 

ENG 100         5 rec, 1 conf/rec, 3 cr
English Composition I: Integrated Reading and Writing
This course integrates the reading and writing skills students need to comprehend and analyze college-level texts and to produce college-level writing. Reading instruction focuses on the development of literal andcritical comprehension as well as the analysis of ideasencountered in course readings from various academic disciplines. Writing instruction focuses on writing as a recursive process that includes drafting, editing, and revising to produce essays using standard written English. Assignments range from reading journal responses to formal academic essays, culminating with one research paper with MLA documentation using library resources. This course is identical in academic content and in assessment to ENG 111 but adds 2 developmental hours to allow faculty to work with students to improve composition and reading skills.
Prerequisites: This course is open to students who have an English Proficiency Index of below 50 and do not meet theBCC placement requirements for ENG 110 or ENG 111.
Required Core – English Composition


ENG 110        5 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition I: Fundamentals of Writing and Rhetoric

Fundamental principles of expository organization and grammar that emphasize essay development, unity and clarity, utilizing various rhetorical styles; selected readings. Approximately nine compositions required, including practice CATW and one research paper with MLA documentation using library resources. Students must pass the CATW and complete the ENG 111 final exam. Students who pass ENG 110 are permitted to enroll in ENG 112 or above. Students who do not pass the CUNY Assessment Test in Writing cannot pass the course.

Prerequisites: Passing score on CUNY Assessment Test in Reading AND combined score of 48-55 on CUNY Assessment Test in Writing, or with Chairperson’s permission.

Required Core – English Composition

Please Note: As of the end of spring semester, 2017, the CATW is no longer a part of ENG 110; students are no longer required to pass or even take the CATW exam in this class. The catalog description you see above is under revision to reflect this change in the course; please be aware that ENG 110 retains the same course hours and credits as before, and it continues to meet the same learning outcomes as ENG 111 and continues to be equivalent in course credits and core applicability to ENG 111.


ENG 111       3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition I: Writing and Rhetoric

Fundamental principles of organization and rhetoric; practice in expository writing; selected readings, mainly non-fiction; approximately eight papers required, including one research paper with MLA documentation using library resources.

Prerequisites: Passing scores on both the CUNY Assessment Test in Writing and the CUNY Assessment Test in Reading

Required Core – English Composition


ENG 112      3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition II: Writing and Rhetoric

Study and application of the principles of organization, rhetoric and literary analysis; expository writing and research based on thematically linked readings; development of critical thinking. Research paper with MLA documentation required.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Required Core – English Composition


ENG 113        3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition II: Writing about Literature

General introduction to prose fiction, poetry and drama as well as the application of principles of organization, rhetoric, and literary analysis; expository writing and research based on literary texts; development of critical thinking. Research paper with MLA documentation is required. Recommended for all English majors.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Required Core – English Composition

ENG 114          3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition II: Writing about Fiction​

Continued emphasis on the writing of clear, effective expository prose based on readings in short stories and novels. Research paper required.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Required Core – English Composition


ENG 115        3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition II: Writing about Drama

Continued emphasis on the writing of clear, effective expository prose based on readings in world drama. Research paper required.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Required Core – English Composition


ENG 116         3 rec 1 conf/rec 3 cr
Composition II: Writing about Poetry

Continued emphasis on the writing of clear, effective expository prose based on readings in poetry. Research paper required.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Required Core – English Composition


ENG 121       3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction to the forms, techniques and approaches to writing in the creative genres, including fiction, poetry, drama and creative nonfiction. Readings, daily writing assignments and revision of written work are required. Students will produce a portfolio containing a series of creative writings in various genres, as well as one piece of critical writing with research.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – Creative Expression


ENG 122       3 rec 3 cr
Creative Nonfiction

Introduction to the art of creative nonfiction. Students will produce a portfolio of essays of various genres, including memoir, autobiography, narrative journalism, commentary, and interviews. Readings, regular writing assignments, and revision of written work are required.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 124       3 rec 3 cr
Great Writers of English Literature I

Surveys major authors’ works from the Middle Ages through the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century in England. The course will cover Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Swift, Pope and Behn among others. This survey course seeks to give the student a working understanding of the major authors of each period, of various genres of literature and of the important relationship between literature and history. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 125         3 rec 3 cr
Great Writers of English Literature II

Surveys the works of major English and Anglophone authors from the Romantic era to the present day. The course will include writers such as Blake, Wordsworth, the Brownings, Hopkins, Yeats, Joyce and Achebe among others. This course introduces students to the major authors and genres of each period and examines them in their historical/cultural context. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 133        3 rec 3 cr
Modern American Short Story

Traces the origin and development of the American short story, with special emphasis on current trends. The student will be expected to develop critical skill in reading and evaluating the short story. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

ENG 140         3 rec 3 cr
Folklore

Study of American folk literature including an examination of oral traditions such as folk speech, proverbs, folktales, folk songs and ballads. Elements of folk superstitions, dreams, games and folk life.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 141        3 rec 3 cr
History of the English Language

Focus is on description and history of the English language from Old English to World Englishes as evidenced in literary texts; language elements, writing systems, language families, grammars, dictionaries and geographical and social dialects.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 147         3 rec 3 cr
Latino Literature

Introduction to prominent writers from a range of Latino literary traditions. Representative literary works from Mexican-American, Dominican-American, Cuban-American, Puerto Rican and other Latino writers are read and analyzed. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – U.S. Experience in its Diversity


ENG 148          3 rec 3 cr
Afro-Caribbean Literature

Introduction to prominent writers from Africa and the Caribbean. Representative literary works are read and analyzed. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – World Cultures and Global Issues


ENG 149           3 rec 3 cr
Transnational Literature

Study of transnational/postcolonial literatures exploring themes of forced and/or voluntary migration, exile, and nation-building. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 150 U.S.              3 rec 3 cr
Literature and Thought I

Major themes in U.S. literature, thought and history from the colonial period to the end of the Civil War. Selected authors may include Paine, Cooper, Irving, Poe, Thoreau, Emerson and Whitman. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – U.S. Experience in its Diversity

ENG 151 U.S.         3 rec 3 cr
Literature and Thought II

Major themes in U.S. literature and thought from the end of the Civil War to the present. Selected authors may include Melville, James, Twain, Eliot, Hughes, Hemingway and Ellison. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – U.S. Experience in its Diversity


ENG 153          3 rec 3 cr
The Black Writer in American Literature

Literature by Black American authors; consideration of the nature of this literature–its characteristic forms, imagery, archetypes and styles. Readings include works of Dunbar, Hughes, Cullen, DuBois, Wright, Ellison, Jones and Baldwin, with emphasis on prose. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – U.S. Experience in its Diversity


ENG 154          3 rec 3 cr
Black Poetry

Poetry of all modes by Black American poets. Consideration of social environments producing this literature; study of techniques and subjects of various Black poets. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – U.S. Experience in its Diversity

ENG 155          3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Literary Studies

Examination of modern critical approaches to literature, including close reading and critical analysis of selected prose fiction, drama and poetry. Texts are examined through a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives that represent modern critical inquiry into literature. This course includes continued training and practice in clear and effective critical writing and a research paper. Designed for all English majors and interested students.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 156         3 rec 3 cr
Children’s Literature

Discussions and lectures on history, development and critical evaluation of children’s literature (including works from other cultures in translation). Children’s literature will be considered through multiple critical approaches, including gender, cultural and psychological criticism. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – Individual and Society


ENG 157           3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Women’s Literature

Introduction to prominent women writers from various backgrounds, genres and periods. Both primary literary works by women and theory about women’s literature are read and analyzed. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – Individual and Society


ENG 161          3 rec 3 cr
Shakespeare

Introduction to plays and poetry of Shakespeare. Representative tragedies, comedies, histories and poems are read and analyzed. Poetic and dramatic techniques and the Elizabethan theatre are studied. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Flexible Core – Creative Expression


ENG 165         3 cr
Honors Elective: Independent Research

To involve the intellectually aware, creative student in the in-depth analysis of some phase of English through independent research. Each student will work closely with the instructor, receiving guidance in research techniques, organizing bibliography in the specific area and preparing drafts of the honors paper.

Prerequisite: B or higher average in several previous English courses taken at BCC and the written approval of a full-time instructor in the English Department and the chairperson


ENG 172         3 rec 3 cr
The Bible as Literature

Study of the prime Biblical narratives as well as chief poetic and wisdom sections of both Old and New Testaments, including the Apocrypha. Biblical texts to be read in English. Students write short themes on both texts and their scholarly critiques on these texts.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

ENG 178        3 rec 3 cr
Queer Literature

A contemporary survey of queer-identified texts including poetry, short stories, memoir, creative non-fiction, and excerpts from novels and graphic novels. Works by writers such as Audre Lorde, Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, Cherie Moraga, Alyson Bechdel, and William S. Burroughs. Texts will be studied through lens of intersectionality to explore how sexual identities interconnect with and shape other categories of identity, including gender, race, ethnicity, class, culture, and nation. This course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.​

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111


ENG 181          3 rec 3 cr
Asian American Literature

Study of Asian American literatures in their cultural, political, and historical contexts. The course will require critical essays, including a researched paper.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

ENG 223          3 rec 3 cr
Technical Writing

Study and practice of various types of writing in technical disciplines, including progress reports, technical proposals and documents such as memoranda and letters.

Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 111

Note: ENG 223 does not count as an English Elective.

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