Department of English: Communication Skills Program
Department of English: Communication Skills Program
Department of English: Communication Skills Program
Department of English
Acting Chairperson: Zenger, Amy A.
Professor: Shaaban, Kassim A.
Associate Professors: Choueiri, Lina G.; Harb, Sirène H.; Hout, Syrine C.;
Myers, Robert E.
Assistant Professors: Arnegard, Iver; Clary, Amy L.; Dennison, Michael J.;
Gleyzon, Francois-Xavier; Gonsalves, Joshua D.;
Khalaf, Roseanne S.; Schwartz, John Pedro; Zenger, Amy A.
Visiting Assistant Professor: Pölzl, Ulrike
Senior Lecturer: Nassar, Christopher S.
The Department of English offers two undergraduate degree programs: the BA in English literature,
and the BA in English language. The department also offers communication skills courses which are
part of the general university requirements.
The department offers minors in English language, in English literature, and in Creative Writing. A
minor in English literature requires 15 credits: two core courses from among ENGL 201, ENGL 205,
ENGL 207, plus three other courses: one period course, and any two courses from the different
categories of the literature curriculum. A minor in English language requires 15 credits: ENGL 227
and four other courses chosen from ENGL 224–238 and/or ENGL 245–294. A minor in Creative Writing
requires 15 credits: ENGL 236, two courses chosen from ENGL 237, ENGL 239, ENGL 249, ENGL 250, or
ENGL 251, one 200-level course chosen from the offerings in Literature, and one course chosen either
from the Literature offerings or from ENGL 237, ENGL 239, ENGL 249, ENGL 250, or ENGL 251.
P Part time
Department of English 191
The requirements for a BA degree in English language or English literature are 90 credits for students
entering the department at the sophomore level. The distribution of these courses is as follows:
University Requirements
• University language requirements: six credits of English and three credits of Arabic.
• University general education requirements: 12 credits in the Humanities, including six credits of
CVSP, six credits in Social Science; six credits in Natural Science; and three credits in Quantitative
Thought (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics or Education 219).
• Major courses: 39 credits of English language and literature, with the possibility of having some of
these courses in creative writing.
• Electives outside the department: nine credits in the humanities and six credits of free electives.
Students wishing to major in English are accepted provisionally until they have achieved a grade
of 70 or more in ENGL 203 and ENGL 204 and in two of the four introductory courses: ENGL 201,
ENGL 205, ENGL 207, and ENGL 227. Normally, the courses may be repeated only once.
The requirements for literature majors are as follows: ENGL 201, ENGL 205, ENGL 207, ENGL 212,
ENGL 221, ENGL 229, ENGL 238, and two additional period courses chosen from ENGL 210, ENGL 211,
ENGL 213, ENGL 214, and ENGL 215; two courses chosen from the three categories (literary genres,
American literature, and comparative and world literature); and two additional courses chosen from
among those numbered ENGL 210 to ENGL 292, including creative writing courses.
The requirements for language majors are as follows: ENGL 227, ENGL 228, ENGL 229, ENGL 230 or
ENGL 232, ENGL 237 or ENGL 238, ENGL 231 or ENGL 294, and three additional courses chosen from
among the department’s language offerings; in literature, ENGL 212 and two courses chosen from
ENGL 201, ENGL 205, and ENGL 207, and one additional course from among those numbered ENGL 210
to ENGL 292, including creative writing courses.
Both literature and language majors may also take courses leading to the teaching diploma. The
requirements for the teaching diploma are specified under the catalogue section Department of
Education.
The Department of English also offers the Intensive English Course for those students who have not
met the English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR).
Communication Skills
Communication Skills Program
Mission Statement
The Communication Skills Program adheres to the philosophy that learning to write is a dynamic
process, both social and individual, that takes place over time with continual guidance and practice.
The program comprises courses designed to satisfy university requirements and to meet the diverse
literacy needs of AUB students. It aims to educate students to use writing and reading for learning,
192 Department of English
critical thinking, and communication in academic and other social contexts. It seeks to foster a
collaborative environment within the program and across the university.
The Communication Skills Program consists of three core courses (ENGL 102, ENGL 203, and ENGL
204) and two specialized courses (ENGL 206 and ENGL 208).
Entry into the program (except for the specialized courses, ENGL 206 and ENGL 208) is based on scores
of the AUB-EN or TOEFL or SAT Writing. The program itself provides training in communication, both
oral and written, with emphasis on the reading, writing, and research skills required of university
students.
1 For undergraduate students who were admitted to classes other than freshman, the grade of ENGL 102 will be calculated in the term average
and its credits will be included with the term credits but not in the overall average (GPA) and overall credits
Department of English 193
Literature
English Literature Program
Mission Statement
The mission of the B.A. in Literature in the English Department is to provide a solid background in
British, American, and other Anglophone literary texts, traditions, and cultures, as well as their
continued relevance in a humanistic and liberal arts-based education. Cultivated by a community of
teachers, scholars, and writers, undergraduate students engage with an ensemble of critical issues
and develop individual interpretive theories and scholarly approaches. Upon graduation, students
will be equipped to continue advanced study in English Literature, or other related disciplines, or to
pursue a variety of career options in education, media, and communications.
The literature program in the Department of English has a dual purpose. It provides the humanistic
discipline and training necessary for those who wish to obtain an education based on wide reading
and literary study, and at the same time it provides a structure of courses useful to those who
intend to pursue study in English literature. The literature program, while exposing students to the
major authors, works, and movements of English and American literature through extensive class
discussion and the writing of critical essays in each course, seeks also to teach students to become
perceptive, critical and analytical readers.
Period Courses
ENGL 210 Literature of the Middle Ages 3.0; 3 cr.
A study of selected texts including Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and a number of
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Most texts are read in modern English translation. Attention is given to
major literary forms, as well as the social and historical background of the period. Annually.
Genre Courses
ENGL 216 Drama 3.0; 3 cr.
A course that focuses on representative texts drawn from British and American literature. Attention is
given to the theoretical definition of dramatic form, to changes in the conception of dramatic genres,
and to the nature of genre as it shapes the expectations of the reader or audience. Annually.
Department of English 195
Critical Theory
ENGL 221 Introduction to Literary Theory 3.0; 3 cr.
Students are introduced to the history of literary theory and to the dominant schools of contemporary
literary study, with an emphasis on the practical application of those schools. Annually.
American Literature
ENGL 224 American Literature to 1900 3.0; 3 cr.
A course that examines the major literary movements of the period (Romanticism, Transcendentalism,
Realism, and Naturalism) as present in the works of writers including Longfellow, Irving, Poe,
Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson, Whitman, Twain, and James. Annually.
Creative Writing
ENGL 236 Introduction to Creative Writing 3.0; 3 cr.
A course that acquaints students with the techniques involved in the writing of fiction, poetry, and
drama, Student work is read in class and critiqued, and models of good writing are used to illustrate
various techniques and forms. Prerequisite: ENGL 203 (or 570+ on the EEE, or 283+ on the CBT, or 99+
on the IBT). Each semester.
BA in English Literature
39 Credits in English
Modes English Humanities Social Sciences Natural Sciences Quantita-
of Analysis and Arabic (9) (12+39) (Min. 6) (Min. 6) tive Thought
(Min. 3)
Lecture Courses 1. Required Arabic 1. Required 12 credits in the Electives Electives (min. 6) Electives
(6+54+21) course (3): ARAB humanities, including 6 (min. 6) (min. 3)
201A, 201B, or any credits from CVSP
upper level course (see pp. 158–63)
(based on place- 2. Electives (9)
ment results) 3. Required English literature
2. Required English courses (24): ENGL 201,
courses (3): ENGL 205, 207, 221; two pe-
203, 204 riod courses; two courses
chosen from the three
categories:
I. Literary Genres: ENGL 216,
217, 218, 219, 220
II. American Literature:
ENGL 224, 225, 226
III. Comparative and World
Literature: ENGL 240,
241, 242, 243, 244
4. Required English language
courses (3): ENGL 229
5. Electives (6): two courses
from among those num-
bered ENGL 210 to 292
Seminar/Workshop Elective English:
ENGL 236, 237, 239, 249,
250, 251, 292
Laboratory (6) Required English Language
(3): ENGL 238
Research Project (3) Required English Literature
(3): ENGL 212
Language
English Language Program
Mission Statement
The mission of the BA program in English Language is to promote a multifaceted approach to language.
The program provides students with a foundational understanding of the principles and issues within
current approaches to language and introduces them to various aspects of the structure, use, and
learning of English. Through teaching and mentoring, the program encourages the students to apply
their analytical skills to their experience outside the classroom, and prepares them for employment
in areas related to English language teaching and publishing, and for the pursuit of advanced degrees
in linguistics.
The language program gives the English language major the essential foundations of post-modern
linguistic readings as well as contextual selections in literature. The language courses are intended
to provide an appropriate linguistic background for prospective teachers of English and a preparation
for those planning to pursue graduate work in linguistics.
Department of English 199
BA in English Language
39 Credits in English
Modes English Humanities Social Sciences Natural Sciences Quantitative
of Analysis and Arabic (9) (12+9+39) (Min. 6) (Min. 6) Thought (Min.
3)
Lecture Courses 1. Required Arabic 1. Required credits in the Electives (min. 6) Electives (min. 6) Electives
(6+48+21) course (3): ARAB humanities: 12 credits (min. 3)
201A, 201B, or any including 6 from CVSP (see
upper level course pp. 158–63)
(based on placement 2. Electives (9)
results) 3. Required English language
2. Required English (9): ENGL 229, 230 or 232,
courses (3): ENGL 294, or 231
203, 204 4. Required English literature
(6): two courses chosen
from ENGL 201, 205, and
207
5. Electives (12): one
literature and three lan-
guage courses from those
numbered ENGL 210 to 292
Seminar/Workshop Elective English:
ENGL 236, 237, 239, 249, 250,
251, 293
Laboratory (6) Required English (3):
ENGL 238
Research Project (9) Required English (9):
ENGL 212, 227, 228, 230