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English & Drama Department Specialty Courses

2023-24

Here is a list of English & Drama Department specialty courses being offered during the 2023-24 school year. Most of these courses are offered only once a year, so we hope this list will help you schedule in advance. Always check the quarterly schedule for the most up-to-date information, as course offerings may change. *ENGL151 Creating Writing is offered every quarter.

1. ENGL293: Science Fiction (5 Units)HY—TTH 11:45-12:50

Sci-Fi, music, magic, OH, MY!! Throw in some art, literature and technology (think HBO’s Watchmen meets Missy Elliott!). Let’s take a quarter’s dive into Afrofuturism! Afrofuturism is a genre which offers a - highly intersectional way of looking at possible futures or alternate realities through a Black cultural lens-- (Ytasha Womack). Our course will focus on examining the connection between past and future realms, and our complicated relationship with Afrofuturism in the present.

Textbook: The textbook for our course is a FREE open educational resource (OER) online textbook - Click Here. Author: Ytasha Womack / Book Title: Afrofuturism: The World of Black SciFi Fantasy and Culture.

Note: This is a face-to-face course.
Instructor: Desiree Simons – desiree.simons@seattlecolleges.edu

Instructor: Desiree.Simons@seattlecolleges.edu

2. ENGL115: LGBT Literature (5 Units)--HY TTH 2:00-3:05pm

Survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender literature. Explores ideas, themes, historical contexts, and social issues in fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction, and essays.

Satisfies: US Cultures, VLPA requirements

4. ENGL&111: Intro to Literature (5 Units)-OL

Study and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama with emphasis on the art and techniques of each genre.

5. ENGL160 : Introduction to Writing for Media (5 units)-HY TTH 2:00-3:05pm

Introduction to writing for digital and online media including social media, digital journalism, blogs, video games, websites, mobile apps, and emerging new media formats. Emphasis on developing writing skills for presentation in digital media formats through examination of course readings and creation of digital media projects. We especially welcome students with an interest in journalism and writing for Central’s award-winning newspaper, The Seattle Collegian.

Prereq: ENGL99 eligibility

Satisfies: Communication, VLPA requirements

Instructor: Johnny Horton—john.horton@seattlecolleges.edu

1. ENGL205: Creative Nonfiction (5 Units)-OL

The class is about telling true stories well. We read and write narrative nonfiction that emotionally and imaginatively engages readers. We begin with memoir writing, focusing on stories that have shaped who we are. As the quarter progresses, we move towards telling the stories of others. Each week we read a selection of narrative essays, illuminating writing techniques and exploring the range of literary nonfiction. This is a class for serious writers, and writers ready to bring life experiences to their storytelling work. Note: This class is fully online with office hours via Zoom.

Textbook: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Lee Gutkind.

Instructor: Jeb Wyman Jeb.Wyman@seattlecolleges.edu

2. ENGL 204: English Language & Linguistics (5 Units)-HY TTH 11:45-12:50

This class is for you if you have ever talked to people, listened to people, tried to spell soemthing, or used words at all, ever. We discuss cool stuff like how we make strange sounds, turn them into words, and make them make sense. Also, we get to learn where English came from, how it sounds different for different groups of people, and why that’s OK and no one is ruining English.

Satisfies: VLPA requirement

Info: Anna.Shaver@seattlecolleges.edu

3. ENGL151 Creative Writing (5 units)-OL

Analysis of poetry and short fiction combined with actual writing of poetry and short fiction. Most of the poems and short fiction will be open resource, but any costs for any books will be under $50.

Instructor: Paul Croon paul.croon@seattlecolleges.edu

4. ENGL&112: Intro to Fiction (5 Units)-OL

Survey of contemporary fiction. Study and analysis of the art, elements, and techniques of short stories, novellas, and novels of American and international authors.

5. ENGL&114: Intro to Drama (5 Units)-OL

Experience dramatic literature on the stage instead of on the page. Most of the texts for this class are performances you’ll stream and analyze, not books you’ll read. The plays you’ll watch are available through the library website--at no extra cost to you. All the productions are brought to life by amazing actors and world-class theatres. In our online class, you’ll examine the plays, consider their connections to each other and our world, and develop strong analytical and communication skills. A lot of your homework will be watching and thinking about stunning, well-filmed productions of incredible plays. If you have any questions, please contact me at Michelle.Douma@seattlecolleges.edu. I hope to meet you in class!

1. ENGL120: Digital Literature (5 Units)-OL

Exploration of digital literature and authors who use digital media to present their work. Overview of history of digital literature and emerging digital literary forms such as hypertext, interactive fiction, blogs, social media, apps, video games, and multimedia formats. No specialized software knowledge required. Access to computer and internet recommended.

Satisfies: VLPA requirement

Info: Greg.Bachar@seattlecolleges.edu

2. ENGL260: Asian American Literature (5 Units)-HY—MW 11:45-12:50

In this class, we will examine essays, poetry, novels, and films (Joy Ride and Liquor Store Dreams) by and about people of Asian descent in the US and the diaspora. We will explore how themes such as language and identity; history and memory; power and resistance; national and transnational identities; ways of belonging, in-betweenness, and non-belonging are expressed in various works by Viet Thanh Nguyen, Anthony Veasna So, E.J. Koh, and Souvankham Thammavongsa. Our two novels this year will be:

  • Ling Ma’s Severance, an Asian American zombie novel about late-stage capitalism.
  • Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, a semi-autobiographical novel written as a letter from a queer Vietnamese-American son to his illiterate mother.

Satisfies: VLPA requirement

Instructor: Takami.Nieda@seattlecolleges.edu

3. ENGL265: Literature & Society (5 Units)-HY TTH 10:30-11:35

This 200-level class is all about analyzing aspects of society explored in fictional texts that are based in very real American experiences. Our shared goal will be to look at how our relationships with families, partners, and friends can be compromised by society and the laws it upholds and, therefore, shape who and how we love. Love and law co-exist from the womb to the tomb. We will be reading two novels: The Round House by Louise Erdrich and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. We will also be reading some nonfiction to grow our understanding of both texts and the systems of power that shape the characters’ lives.

Satisfies: VLPA, ESJ, Communication requirements

Info: Kaitlin.McClanahan@seattlecolleges.edu

4. ENGL&113: Introduction to Poetry (5 Units)-OL

Study, appreciation and analysis of the form, meaning, music and metaphor of poetry. Includes poems from diverse sources.

Satisfies: VLPA requirement

Info: Phebe.Jewell@seattlecolleges.edu

5. DRMA 108: Rehearsal and Performance (5 Units)-M-TH 2:00-3:05

This is the class that creates and performs the school play! If you’re interested in acting, doing tech or publicity, or working on the play in other ways, please sign up for this 5-credit class. If you need permission, contact Michelle.Douma@seattlecolleges.edu. Auditions for acting parts will happen at the end of the winter quarter, so contact Shelley (address above) if you’re interested in acting. We need people to work on the play in many ways and welcome people of all talents and abilities. No experience is necessary.

6. ENGL210: Translation for Global Competence (5 units)-HY—W 2:00-4:20

Use your multilingual abilities to translate song lyrics, graphic novels, videos, and short stories from a world language into English. Learn how to edit and refine your translation. Explore how translation and language play a role in globalization and activism. We will also host and participate in a masterclass with acclaimed Korean-English translator Anton Hur (Cursed Bunny; Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS).

A fun way to practice and brush up on your language skills! All skill levels welcome!

Satisfies: Global Studies and VLPA requirements

Instructor: Takami.Nieda@seattlecolleges.edu.