Course Descriptions: English
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.
PLEASE NOTE: CUNY is no longer administering placement exams for incoming students. Instead, students who are not exempted by Regents/ SAT scores will receive an English Proficiency Index (EPI) based on previous academic performance, such as high school grades. Please see the following link for more information about exemption and the proficiency index: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/testing/testing-faqs/
Course placement for the English Proficiency Index is as follows: Students with an EPI of 65 or higher may enroll in ENG 111. Students with an EPI of 50 – 64 may enroll in ENG 110. Students with an EPI of 49 or lower may register for ENG 100. Successful completion of either ENG 100 or 110 is equivalent to completing ENG 111.
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 and critical comprehension as well as the analysis of ideas encountered 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 the BCC 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, rhetoric, and grammar, with an emphasis on essay development, unity and clarity, and the use of various rhetorical styles. Selected readings. Approximately eight compositions required, including a research paper with MLA documentation using library resources. This course is identical in academic content and in assessment to ENG 111, but it adds 2 developmental hours to allow faculty to work with students to improve college composition skills.
Prerequisites: English Proficiency Index of 50-64 or equivalent.
Required Core – English Composition
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: CUNY English Proficiency
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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, ENG 110 or ENG 111
ENG 135 3rec 3cr
Popular Culture & Literature
This course explores popular culture and narrative by investigating the relationship between literary texts
and popular culture. Readings and materials for the course include a range of nineteenth century to present- day novels, short stories, and comic books and their relationships to radio, television, and film.
Prerequisite: ENG 100, 110, or 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, 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 100, ENG 110 or ENG 111
Course Descriptions: English as a Second Language
ESL 1 8 rec 0 cr
English as a Second Language — Basic
For students whose native language is not English. Intensive program for beginning level students for development of English language skills. Builds oral and written control of basic grammatical structures and listening and reading comprehension.
ESL 2 6 rec 0 cr
English as a Second Language — Intermediate
For students whose native language is not English.
Builds oral control of grammatical structures, listening comprehension and the ability to write grammatically acceptable, well-constructed paragraphs and short essays.
Prerequisite: ESL 1, if required, or placement on the ESL 2 level
ESL 3 6 rec 0 cr
English as a Second Language—Advanced
For students whose native language is not English. Builds control of advanced grammatical structures and develops ability to write various forms of expository compositions.
Prerequisite: ESL 2 ,if required, or placement on the ESL 3 level
ESL 9 4 rec 0cr
Writers’ Workshop for ESL Students
Intensive review and practice of academic writing. Development of increased proficiency in paragraph and essay structure, including the documented essay. Extensive reading program will focus on enhancing vocabulary and comprehension skills. Successful completion of this course will result in an ENG 110 placement.
Prerequisite: ESL 3 or placement on the ESL 9 level
Note: ENG 223 does not count as an English Elective.
