English and Cultural Studies

"Cultural Studies offers study in the nature and criticism of culture and the arts—chiefly literature, film, visual art and popular culture. This interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree program fosters inquiry into the social and political conditions in which thought and expression take place. Forms of cultural expression such as films, literature and paintings are thus analysed both as texts and as practices in context." (from the Cultural Studies homepage)                               

English and Cultural Studies are closely related disciplines. Several of our courses focus on or incorporate theories and approaches associated with cultural studies, and some of our faculty publish their research on topics such as film adaptations, fandom, television, and other media. 

Several English courses can be counted towards a major or a minor in Cultural Studies.  A full list of eligible English courses is on the Cultural Studies website.  In 2009-2010, the English Department is offering the following courses that can be counted as credits in the Cultural Studies program:

ENGL 2263: Detective Fiction
Fall term; half unit
Monday and Wednesday 12:30-1:45
Instructor: J. Morgenstern

This course is a study of detective fiction as it has developed from its genteel English and hard-boiled American origins into a form able to embrace serious analysis, feminist perspectives, and post-modernist poetics.

This course focuses on selected works of literature and theory in English by women from around the world.  Our emphasis will be on contemporary work (1970 on).  We will use contemporary feminist theories as a way to contextualize our discussion and to help us explore the points at which feminisms, culture and women's use of narrative forms intersect in the literary works discussed.  We will be particularly interested in the relationships between feminism and culture.  Some potential directions for class discussions might include: the articulation of feminist resistance through responses to culturally specific issues of voice, language, family, religion, the body, history and colonizations.  Our focus in class will be on active, engaged discussion and on learning to incorporate theoretical terms and concepts into our encounters with the assigned texts.

Note: Students who have received credit for English 350 may not take this course for credit.