English

Chairperson: Daniel Butterworth
Professors: D. Butterworth, M. Herzog, E. Cooley, M. Pringle
Associate Professors: J. Eliason, P. Fowler, T. Marshall, P. Taufen (emerita), J. Thayer, L. Tredennick, P. Terry, A. Wadden (emeritus)
Assistant Professors: A. Ciasullo, B. Cooney, H. Easterling, J. Miller, I. Ranum,

Through the study of language and literature we analyze the world, the human condition, and our own experience. In this era when technical abilities can quickly become obsolete, the study of literature and language teaches the expressive and analytical skills necessary for a wide range of career opportunities, not only in teaching but also in publishing, editing, technical writing, the legal professions, and the business world. As faculty in the Department of English, we teach students to read critically, acquaint them with a diverse range of texts and contexts, instruct them to write with analytical skill and rhetorical proficiency, and increase their engagement with the ways language and literature reflect and explore human knowledge and values. We also seek to support the University’s mission by engaging students in the development of our individual and collective intellect, imagination, and sense of social justice.

English Department courses fulfill the requirements of the core curricula of the University and College of Arts and Sciences and constitute a Bachelor of Arts degree in english; they provide majors in other disciplines with further experience in and appreciation for literature and writing; they offer majors and minors in english engagement with the literary heritage of Western and non-Western traditions; they develop students’ mastery of the conventions and nuances of written prose.

All undergraduate degree programs in the University require six (6) semester hours in English: ENGL 101 and ENGL 102-ENGL 106 (ENGL 103H for Honors Program members). Students in the College of Arts and Sciences must also take a 200-level literature course.

English majors may not use lower division courses to fulfill any part of the twenty-seven upper division credits required. Before graduation all English majors must register for and pass ENGL 499, the comprehensive examination, which is based on a departmental reading list.

English majors earning a secondary teaching credential must fill one (3 credit) elective with ENGL 370 or ENGL 480. These students must also take ENGL 395.

Because we believe that effective writing is essential for professional, personal, and intellectual development, the English Department offers a Writing Track and directs the operation of a Writing Center open to the Gonzaga community.


B.A. Major in English: 36 Credits
Lower Division (English Core for Arts and Sciences*)
ENGL 101 (ENGL 103H) or ENGL 200 English Composition 3 credits
One of the following:
ENGL 102 Introduction to Literature
ENGL 105 Themes in Literature
ENGL 106 Special Topics in Multicultural or World Literature
3 credits
ENGL 200 level literature (See course list below) 3 credits
Note: ENGL 200, ENGL 204, and ENGL 250 do not satisfy this requirement.
*Students with majors outside Arts and Sciences do not need the 200 level literature for their English Core.
Upper Division
British Literature Pre-1660
ENGL 320 Middle English Literature
ENGL 323 The Middle Ages
ENGL 325 Medieval Romance
ENGL 330 Shakespeare
ENGL 331 Renaissance Literature
ENGL 366 Topics in Literature (Florence)
ENGL 420 The Age of Beowulf
ENGL 423 Chaucer
ENGL 433 Milton and His Contemporaries
ENGL 434 Tudor and Stuart Drama
ENGL 460* Studies in Women Writers
ENGL 466* Topics in Literature
6 credits
British Literature Post-1660
ENGL 340 Romantic Age
ENGL 342 Victorian Era
ENGL 348 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 350 20th Century British Literature
ENGL 360* Modern Drama
ENGL 436 18th Century British Novel
ENGL 438 Restoration and 18th Century Drama
ENGL 446 19th Century British Novel
ENGL 450 20th Century British Novel
ENGL 460* Studies in Women Writers
ENGL 462* Studies in the Novel
ENGL 464* Studies in 20th Century Poetry
ENGL 465* Studies in 20th Century Drama
ENGL 466* Topics in Literature
6 credits
American Literature Pre-1900
ENGL 310 American Literature I
ENGL 311 American Literature II
ENGL 313 American Narratives: D&N
ENGL 413 19th Century American Novel
ENGL 455 Special Topics in American Literature
ENGL 460* Studies in Women Writers
ENGL 462* Studies in the Novel
ENGL 466* Topics in Literature
3 credits
American Literature Post-1900
ENGL 312 American Literature III
ENGL 318 African-American Literature
ENGL 360* Modern Drama
ENGL 414 20th Century American Novel
ENGL 415 Recent American Writing
ENGL 455 Special Topics in American Literature
ENGL 460* Studies in Women Writers
ENGL 462* Studies in the Novel
ENGL 464* Studies in 20th Century Poetry
ENGL 465* Studies in 20th Century Drama
ENGL 466* Topics in Literature
3 credits
English Electives
Two more of the courses in the above period requirements, or:
ENGL 300 Research and Writing for the English Majors
ENGL 301 Poetry Writing
ENGL 302 Fiction Writing
ENGL 303 Creative Non-Fiction Writing
ENGL 305 The Writing Traveler
ENGL 314 Multi-Cultural Literature of the U.S.
ENGL 316 Studies in Post-Colonial Literature
ENGL 370 History of the English Language
ENGL 391 Directed Study
ENGL 394 Literature and Film
ENGL 395 The Teaching of Composition
ENGL 467 Special Topics
ENGL 480 Critical Theory: Literary and Cultural Studies
ENGL 485 Poetics
ENGL 490 Directed Reading
ENGL 492 Independent Study
ENGL 498 Directed Research
6 credits
ENGL 495 Seminar 3 credits
ENGL 499 English Comprehensive 0 credits
Note: No single class can satisfy more than one requirement. *Indicates Chair’s approval for using this course as a requirement

Minor in English: 21 Credits
Lower Division
ENGL 101 (ENGL 103H) or ENGL 200 English Composition 3 credits
One of the following:
ENGL 102 Introduction to Literature
ENGL 105 Themes in Literature
ENGL 106 Special Topics in Multicultural or World Literature
3 credits
ENGL 200 level literature (See course list below)
(ENGL 200, ENGL 204, and ENGL 250 do not satisfy this requirement)
3 credits
Upper Division
ENGL 300-ENGL 489 Electives 12 credits

The Writing Track: 39 Credits
Lower Division
ENGL 101 (ENGL 103H) or ENGL 200 English Composition 3 credits
One of the following:
ENGL 102 Introduction to Literature
ENGL 105 Themes in Literature
ENGL 106 Special Topics in Multicultural or World Literature
3 credits
ENGL 200 level literature (See course list below) 3 credits
Note: ENGL 200, ENGL 204, and ENGL 250 do not satisfy this requirement.
Upper Division
British Literature before 1660 3 credits
British Literature after 1660 3 credits
American Literature before 1900 3 credits
American Literature after 1900 3 credits
Elective Literature 3 credits
Five of the following writing courses:
ENGL 300 Research and Writing for Major
ENGL 301 Poetry Writing
ENGL 302 Fiction Writing
ENGL 303 Creative Nonfiction
ENGL 304 Professional Writing
ENGL 305 The Writing Traveler
ENGL 306 Special Topics in Writing
ENGL 390 Writing Center Practicum
ENGL 395 The Teaching of Composition
ENGL 401 Advanced Poetry Writing
ENGL 402 Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 403 Advanced Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 406 Advanced Special Topics in Writing
ENGL 420/JOUR 420 Literary Journalism
ENGL 498 Independent Study
ENGL 499 Senior Project (0 credits)
15 credits
Note: Students must take at least one 400 level writing course.
Note: For courses that satisfy each historical period see the English major.


The core curriculum or common body of knowledge of the College of Arts and Sciences consists of 59 to 62 credits which are common to and required of all degree programs in the College: the first 31 credits (of which there is a more complete description in the General Degree Requirements and Procedures section of this catalogue) form the University Core, while the remaining 28 to 31 credits are common to all Arts and Sciences degrees.
Students should attempt to spread the core curriculum over their entire fours years at Gonzaga.

  1. Thought and Expression (7 credits): ENGL 101, SPCO 101, and PHIL 101 (preferably in the same semester).
  2. Philosophy (9 credits): PHIL 201, PHIL 301, and  PHIL  400 level elective.
  3. Religious Studies (9 credits): RELI 100, 200, and 300 levels: one course from each level.
  4. Mathematics (3 credits): one MATH (not CPSC) course on the 100 level or above; NURS 320 is substituted for a MATH course for BSN students; MATH 203 fulfills this requirement only for students who graduate with certification in Elementary Education.
  5. English Literature (3 credits): ENGL 102 or 103H or 105 or 106.
  6. History (6 credits): HIST 101 and either HIST 102 or HIST 112 in their first year. If they are unable to complete all six 100-level HIST credits in their first year, HIST 201 or 202 may be substituted for one 100-level course after the first year.
  7. Fine Arts (3 credits): one course in either VART, MUSC, or THEA from courses approved by Dean of Arts and Sciences.
  8. Laboratory Science (4 credits): one course with laboratory in either BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS.
  9. Mathematics or Natural Science (3 credits): one course in either MATH, CPSC, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or ITEC.
  10. Literature (3 credits): one British or American literature course (ENGL 201 - 285).
  11. Social Science (6 credits): CRIM 101, ECON, SOCI, POLS, or PSYC: two courses from these departments.
  12. Foreign Language or Culture (3 credits): one course in any foreign language (classical or modern) or one (foreign culture) course approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences.  Foreign-language speaking students from foreign cultures who have completed the nine English core credits at Gonzaga prior to their fourth year (last thirty credits) may petition the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences for a waiver of the foreign language or Culture requirement..
  13. Social Justice (3 credits): One course on Social Justice issues related to experiences of difference (like race, class, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation), from courses approved by the Dean of Arts & Sciences; (may be combined with other core or major requirements).