The Department of English is among the oldest and most prestigious units at the University. As one of the campus's original departments, it offered some of the university's inaugural courses, including literature classes taught by UM's first president, Oscar J. Craig. In 1919, Rhodes Scholar H.G. Merriam inaugurated one of the first creative writing programs in the country. Now, more than a century old, this department–which has employed writers and scholars such as Richard Hugo, Leslie Fiedler, William Kittredge and Patricia Goedicke–offers a B.A. with options in multiple disciplines and graduate degrees in creative writing (M.F.A.), literature (M.A.), and teaching (M.A.). Its Composition program serves the entire university by offering the first year composition requirement, as well as courses in advanced composition and graduate seminars in the teaching of writing.
The department offers six options for English majors: 1) Literature; 2) Creative Writing; 3) English Teaching; 4) Film studies; 5) Teaching English as a Second Language; and 6) Linguistics. In addition, students may pursue a general minor in English or minors in Film Studies, English Teaching and Irish Studies.
Under the Literature option, students ground their study in the reading and examination of works through a series of historically based surveys as well as other core courses, covering the techniques of literary analysis, the application of literary theory, and finally the development of a research project in a senior capstone. Students complement these core courses with a selection of electives that engage specific genres, authors, and periods, as well as different disciplines (e.g. Literature and the Environment) and literatures of diversity (e.g. Native American Literature). M.A. students select graduate seminars in American, British, and comparative literatures as well as other disciplines, their course work culminating in a research thesis or a portfolio of seminar papers revised in collaboration with a committee. The literature emphasis imparts an understanding of not only the aesthetic richness of canonical and emerging literatures but also the historical and cultural forces that have contributed to their making. The classes are of a size that makes discussion very much a part of a student’s experience.
The Creative Writing program is predicated on the model of the workshop, and focuses on three areas of study: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Undergraduates who select the creative writing option fulfill some of the same requirements as those in literature, while also participating in a series of small writing workshops, gaining the techniques needed to craft poetry and/or prose that work towards artistic excellence. Graduate students pursuing an M.F.A. degree complete a series of writing workshops and seminars designed to develop their creative work and expand their understanding of literary technique. The Creative Writing faculty is augmented each year by visiting Hugo and Kittredge fellows. The program sponsors the graduate literary magazine CutBank, now in its fourth decade of publishing works of poetry, fiction and art. Additionally, undergraduate students have the opportunity to contribute to and edit their own literary magazine, The Oval.
The English Teaching program provides content knowledge, pedagogy, and professional experiences required for teaching literacy in a democratic society. Based on current research and best practices, the English Teaching program integrates the study of language, literature, and media, creating learning communities and supporting teachers as critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and reflective practitioners. Students who successfully complete this option and the requirements from the College of Education receive both a B.A. in English teaching and a secondary teaching license (grades 5-12) in English. At the graduate level, the English Teaching program offers advanced theory and pedagogy courses, culminating in an M.A. in teaching. The English Teaching Program is also the home of the Montana Writing Project, which is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of writing at all grade levels and offers a special focus on meeting the state-mandated Indian Education for All.
In Film Studies, students receive a thorough introduction to the many facets of moving image culture, including a background in film history, theory, and aesthetics. In this interdisciplinary program, students are exposed to a broad array of national and international films, as well as filmic translations of well-known works of literature. Students analyze film from a variety of theoretical perspectives and become critical viewers of what is now one of the most predominant forms of cultural representation. Film Studies currently offers a minor for those students who wish to learn more in this discipline without committing fully to the degree program.
In conjunction with the Linguistics Program, English also offers two options in English Linguistics: 1) General Linguistics, which provides a background in both literature and linguistics, and 2) Teaching English as a Second Language, which prepares students for the particular concerns of second-language acquisition and pedagogy while also providing a foundation in the study of literature. Please note that the Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) major option is not a stand-alone route to licensure. For licensure requirements, refer to the College of Education section in this catalog.
The Department of English also offers an interdisciplinary minor in Irish Studies which provides students access to instruction in Irish language, history, literature, and culture. This academic and artistic approach to Irish culture involves an interdisciplinary and inter-collegiate collaboration that brings together leading scholars in the humanities and the creative arts.
Through the administration of one of the core competency requirements of the University’s General Education curriculum, the Composition program serves the entire student body by ensuring that all students learn to write with clarity of thought and precision of language. Writing is understood as a skill, one that is improved by instructing students in the concerns of audience, organization, development, voice, diction, and grammar. Good writing also is related to cogent thinking, and the Composition program–through both its general education requirement and its advanced courses–seeks to integrate critical thinking within the production of skilled writing.
To be admitted to any option of the English major, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
Students who intend to major in English but who have not yet met the above requirements are admitted to the program as pre-English majors. Pre-English majors will be assigned to the English department Academic Advisor. Before a student can graduate with a major in English, she/he must meet the requirements to become an English major and declare a specific option within the program.
For University graduation requirements, please consult Academic Policy and Procedures: Degree/Certification Requirement for Graduation in this catalog.
For the Bachelor of Arts degree every major in English will complete the following requirements unless otherwise noted within the option:
Majors in English may not take any course required for the English major on a credit/no credit basis.
Transfer students must complete a minimum of 9 credits of advisor-approved upper-division English courses at The University of Montana to receive a B.A. with a major in English. Within the Creative Writing option, a transfer student may petition for upper-division workshop credit. Petitions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English majors must take all of the courses required in one of the following options within the English major:
A minor in English requires at least nine courses (27 credits) in English excluding WRIT 101 (ENEX 101), which must include 1) four courses chosen from LIT 110L, 120L, 201, 220L, 221L, 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 120, 121, 201, 217, 218, 219, 224, 225); 2) LIT 300 (ENLT 301); 3) LIT 327 (ENLT 320). Remaining credits must be LIT (ENLT), FILM (ENFM), CRWR (ENCR), ENLI or ENIR courses numbered 300 or higher.
For an endorsement or minor in the minor teaching field of English, a student must complete 1) either LIT 220L or 221L (ENLT 217 or 218); 2) two of the following courses: LIT 222L, 210L, or 211L (ENLT 219, ENLT 224, or ENLT 225); 3) LIT 300 (ENLT 301); 4) LIT 327 ( ENLT 320); 5) two additional 300 or 400 level LIT courses, one of which concentrates in American literature, one with a diversity focus; 6) the following English Teaching courses: LING 465 (ENLI 465); ENT 439; ENT 440; ENT 441; ENT 442; and 7) secondary school teaching licensure courses. Students in the minor English Teaching option must gain admission to Teacher Education program, apply and be accepted to student teach, and meet the requirements for licensure as a secondary teacher. (See the College of Education section of this catalog). Students must complete a teaching major in another discipline in order to teach 5-12th grade in Montana. The English Teaching minor is not a stand-alone route to licensure.
For a minor in the field of Irish Studies, a student must complete at least six courses (18 credits), including four required core courses, and two elective courses. A student must complete 1) ENIR/IRSH 101; 2) ENIR/IRSH 102; 3) HSTR250 (HIST 249)/ENIR 249; and 4) One of the following: ENIR 360, Irish and/or Northern Irish Literature (in English), LIT 391/ENIR 395 (ENLT/ENIR 395) Special Topics in Irish Literature and Culture, ENIR 380 Literature of Pre-Norman Ireland, or ENIR 345 Intro to Irish Gaelic Literature. A student wishing to take the Irish Studies Minor must contact the Director of Irish Studies and complete the requisite paperwork.
A minor in film studies requires at least 27 credits including 4 required courses and at least 5 elective courses. Requirements: 1) FILM 103 (ENFM 180); 2) LIT 270; 3) FILM 300 (ENFM 330); 4) FILM 447 (ENFM 427). For remaining credits, students must choose at least five of the following electives. Two of these courses must be 300 level or above. Selections include the following: MAR 101L, FILM 262 (ENFM 222), FILM 363 (ENFM 338), FILM 365 (ENFM 358), SPNS 359 (SPAN 359), LIT 376/LS 356, FILM 381 (ENFM 381), FILM 448 (ENFM 443), FILM 484 (ENFM 444), PHL 427 (PHIL 444), NASX 360, ENT 442, FILM 191 (ENFM 195), FILM 291 (ENFM 295), FILM 391 (ENFM 395), FILM 491 (ENFM 495), FILM 492 (ENFM 396/496), FILM 308 (ENFM 308), FILM 327 (ENFM 327), FILM 381 (ENFM 381), FILM 481 (ENFM 481), PHL 102 (PHIL 105), PHIL 340L (PHL 327).
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| LIT 201 (ENLT 201L) Intro to Literary Studies | 3 | - |
| LIT 220L or 221L (ENLST 217L, 218L) Brit Lit: Medieval to Renaissance, Brit Lit: Enlightenment to Romantic | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 5 | 5 |
| Electives or General Education | 4 | 7 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| LIT 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT, 219:, 224:, 225L) Brit Lit Victorian to Contemp, American Lit I or American Lit II | 3 | - |
| LIT 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 219L, 224L, 225L) Brit Lit Victorian to Contemp, American Lit I or American Lit II | 3 | - |
| LIT 300 (ENLT 301) Literary Criticism | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 4 | 4 |
| Electives or General Education | 5 | 8 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| LIT 327 (ENLT 320) Shakespeare | 3 | - |
| English Electives and General Education | 12 | 15 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| LIT 494 (ENLT 401) Capstone Seminar | - | 3 |
| English Electives and General Education | 15 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| CRWR 210A, 211A, or 212A (ENCR 210A, 211A or 212A) Introduction Workshops | (3) | 3 |
| LIT 110L, 201, or 120L | 3 | - |
| LIT 200-Level British Literature course: LIT 220L, 221L, 222L (ENLT 217, 218, 219) | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 5 | 5 |
| Electives or General Education | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| LIT 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT, 219:, 224:, 225L) Brit Lit Victorian to Contemp, American Lit I or American Lit II | 3 | - |
| LIT 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 219L, 224L, 225L) Brit Lit Victorian to Contemp, American Lit I or American Lit II | 3 | - |
| LIT 300 (ENLT 301) Literary Criticism | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 4 | 4 |
| Electives (another CRWR 210A, 211A, or 212A Introduction Workshop recommended) or General Education | 5 | 8 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| CRWR 310 or 311 or 312A (ENCR 310 or 311 or 312A) Intermediate Workshops | (3) | (3) |
| LIT 327 (ENLT 320) Shakespeare | 3 | - |
| LIT/FILM (ENFM)/ENIR 300- or 400-level course | 3 | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 9 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| CRWR 310 or 311 or 312A (ENCR 310 or 311 or 312A) Intermediate Workshops | 3 | - |
| CRWR 410, 411, or 412 (ENCR 410, 411, or 412) Advanced Workshops | - | 3 |
| LIT/FILM (ENFM)/ENIR 300- or 400-level course | 3 | - |
| Electives and General Education | 9 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| One of LIT 120L, 201 (ENLT 121L, 201) or CRWR 211A (ENCR 211A) Intro Poetry Workshop | 3 | - |
| LIT 220L or 221L (ENLT 217L or 218L) British Literature | 3 | - |
| LIT 210L or 211L (ENLT 224L or 225) American Literature | - | 3 |
| General Education and pre-licensure requirements (refer to College of Education) | 9 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| LIT 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 219L, 224L, 225L) Brit Lit Victorian to Contemp, American Lit I or American Lit II | 3 | - |
| LIT 300 (ENLT 301) Applied Literary Criticism | 3 | - |
| LIT 327 (ENLT 320) Shakespeare | - | 3 |
| English elective (LIT/FILM/CRWR/ENIR/LING/WRIT (above 100-level for WRIT) | - | 3 |
| General Education and pre-licensure requirements (refer to College of Education) | 9 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| One 300 or 400-level LIT course concentrating in American literature |
3 | - |
| One 300 or 400-level LIT course with diversity focus |
3 | - |
| ENT 439 Studies in Young Adult Literature | 3 | - |
| ENLI 465 Structure and History of English for Teachers | - | 3 |
| ENT 440 Teaching Writing | - | 3 |
| English elective: LIT/FILM/CRWR/ENIR/LING/WRIT (above 100-level for WRIT) | - | 3 |
| General Education and licensure requirements | 9 | 8 |
| 18 | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| ENT 441 Teaching Reading and Literature | 3 | - |
| ENT 442 Teaching Oral Language & Media Literacy | 3 | - |
| General Education and licensure requirements | 12 | - |
| Certification requirement of EDU 495 (C&I 489) Student Teaching: Secondary | - | 14 |
| Certification requirement of EDU 494 (C&I 494) Professional Portfolio | - | 1 |
| 18 | 15 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| FILM 103 (ENFM 180) Introduction to Film | 3 | - |
| LIT 270L (ENLT 227L) Film as Literature, Literature as Film | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 5 | 5 |
| Electives/General Education | 4 (7) | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| FILM 300 (ENFM 330) History of Film | 3 | - |
| FILM elective | 3 | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 4 | 4 |
| Electives/General Education | 5 | 8 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| One 300- or 400-level FILM elective | 3 | - |
| LIT 300 (ENLT 301) Applied Literary Criticism | 3 | - |
| FILM 320 (ENFM 320) Shakespeare and Film | - | 3 |
| FILM electives/General Education | 9 | 9 |
| LIT 376 (ENLT 325) Studies in Literature and Film | - | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| FILM 447 (ENFM 427) Film Theory | - | 3 |
| Selections from Approved Film Offerings (upper-division FILM courses) | 6 | 3 |
| Electives/General Education | 9 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| LIT 220 (ENLT 217L) British Literature | 3 | - |
| LIT 221L, 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 218L, 219L, 224L or 225L) (British or American Literature) | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 5 | 5 |
| General Education | 4(7) | 7 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| LIT 221L, 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 218L, 219L, 224L or 225L) (British or American Literature) | 3 | - |
| LIT 327 (ENLT 320) Shakespeare | - | 3 |
| LING 470 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 4 | 4 |
| General Education | 8 | 5 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| ENLI 465 Structure and History of English for Teachers | - | 3 |
| LIT 349L (ENLT 349L) Studies in Medieval Literature or LIT 350 (ENLT 350L) Chaucer | - | 3 |
| LING 472 Generative Syntax | 3 | - |
| LING 474 Historical Linguistics | 3 | - |
| LING 471 Phonetics and Phonology | 3 | - |
| Electives and General Education | 6 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| LING 473S Language and Culture or 475 Linguistic Field Methods | 3 | - |
| LING 475 Linguistic Field Methods | - | 3 |
| LING 476 Child Language Acquisition | - | 3 |
| LING 477 Bilingualism (A) or 478 Second Language Development (S) | 3 | 3 |
| LING 489 Morphology | - | 3 |
| Electives | 9(12) | 6 |
| 15 | 15 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition (Last name A-L in autumn; M-Z in spring) | 3 | (3) |
| LIT 221L, 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 218L, 219L, 224L or 225L) (British or American Literature) | (3) | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 5 | 5 |
| General Education | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| LIT 220L (ENLT 217L) British Literature | 3 | - |
| LIT 221L, 222L, 210L, 211L (ENLT 218L, 219L, 224L or 225L) (British or American Literature) | - | 3 |
| LING 470 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis | - | 3 |
| Modern or Classical language | 4 | 4 |
| General Education | 8 | 5 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| ENLI 465 Structure and History of English for Teachers | - | 3 |
| LING 471 Phonetics and Morphology | 3 | - |
| LING 472 Generative Syntax | 3 | - |
| LING 477 Bilingualism (A) or 478 Second Language Acquisition (S) | 3 | (3) |
| LING 480 Teaching English as a Foreign Language | - | 3 |
| Linguistics upper-division elective | - | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 6 | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| ENT 440 Teaching Writing | 3 | - |
| ENT 442 Teaching Oral Language and Media Literacy | - | 3 |
| LING 466 Pedagogical Grammar | 3 | - |
| LING 473 Language and Culture (A), 475 Linguistic Field Methods (S) or 476 Child Language Acquisition (S) | 3 | (3) |
| LING 481 ESL Professional | - | 3 |
| LING 491 ESL Practicum | - | 1 |
| Electives | 6(9) | 85 |
| 15 | 15 |
R- before the course description indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
English As a Second Language (EASL) - Course Descriptions
195, 250, 251, 450, 451
Composition (WRIT) - Course Descriptions
101, 191, 198, 201, 391, 398, 491, 492, 540, 595, 596,
Creative Writing (CRWR) - Course Descriptions
110L, 195, 210A, 212A, 310, 311, 312A, 320, 322, 390, 395, 398, 410, 411, 412, 495, 496, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 595, 596, 599
Creative Writing (ENCR) - Course Descriptions
210A, 211A
Film (FILM) - Course Descriptions
103L, 191, 262L, 291, 300, 308, 320, 327, 363, 365, 381, 391, 447, 448, 484, 481, 491, 492
English Teaching (ENT) - Course Descriptions
English teaching courses, due to their strictly-enforced pre- and co-requisites, may only count as electives for the Literature, Film Studies, and Creative Writing major options.
395, 398, 439, 440, 441, 442, 495, 496, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 550, 551, 552, 553, 556, 557, 593, 595, 596, 598
Literature (LIT) - Course Descriptions
110L, 120L, 191, 201, 210L, 211L, 220L, 221L, 222L, 270L, 300, 301, 304, 305, 314, 315, 316, 327, 331, 332, 335, 342L, 343, 349L, 350L, 351, 353, 355, 357, 358, 362, 363, 369, 370, 373, 375, 376, 378L, 391, 398, 420, 421, 429, 430, 491, 492, 494, 499, 500, 520, 521, 522, 524, 595, 596, 598, 599
Irish Studies (ENIR) - Course Descriptions
101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 249, 321, 325, 345, 360, 380, 395, 430
Robert Baker, Ph.D., Cornell University, 1997
Jill Bergman, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1999
Heather Bruce, Ph.D., University of Utah, 1997
Kevin Canty, M.F.A., University of Arizona, 1993
Casey Charles, Ph.D., State University of New York, Buffalo, 1992
Beverly Ann Chin, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1973
Debra Magpie Earling, M.F.A., Cornell University, 1991
John Glendening, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1992
Brady Harrison, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1994
John Hunt, Ph.D., Stanford University, 1984 (Chair)
Christopher J. Knight, Ph.D., New York University, 1982
Deirdre McNamer, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1987
David L Moore, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1994
Greg Pape, M.F.A., University of Arizona, 1974
Karen Volkman, M.F.A., Syracuse University, 1992
Judy Blunt, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1994
Nancy Cook, Ph.D., State University of New York, Buffalo, 1991
Louise Economides, Ph.D., Indiana University, 2003
Kathleen M. Kane, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1997
Ashby Kinch, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2000 (Associate Chair)
Joanna Klink, Ph.D., The John Hopkins University, 2000
Eric Reimer, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 2002
Prageeta Sharma, M.F.A., Brown University, 1995
Rob Browning, Ph.D., Indiana University, 2004 (visiting)
Quan Manh Ha, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 2011
David Gates, B.A., University of Connecticut, 1972
David Gilcrest, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1996
Sean O'Brien, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1989
Traolach O'Riordain, Ph.D., National University of Ireland, Co. Cork, Ireland, 1994
Robert Stubblefield, M.F.A., University of Montana, 1994
Richard R. Adler, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1971
William Bevis, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1969
Jesse Bier, Ph.D., Princeton University, 1956
Bruce Bigley, Ph.D., Yale University, 1972
Gerry Brenner, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1965
Walter L. Brown, Ph.D., University of California
Merrel D. Clubb, Jr., Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1953
Phil Fandozzi, Ph.D., University of Hawaii, 1974
Earl Ganz, Ph.D., University of Utah, 1977
Robert B. Hausmann, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1972
Walter N. King, Yale University, 1952
William Kittredge, M.F.A., University of Iowa, 1969
Michael W. McClintock, Ph.D., Cornell University, 1970
Jocelyn Siler, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1977
Lois Welch, Ph.D., Occidental College, 1966
Robert B. Johnstone, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970
Dexter Roberts, Ph.D. Stanford University, 1966
Veronica J. Stewart, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook, 1990