Course Number:
ENG 214
Transcript Title:
Literature of the Pacific Northwest
Created:
Aug 10, 2022
Updated:
Jul 11, 2023
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
Yes
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

Prerequisite/Concurrent

WR 121 or WR 121Z

Course Description

Examines fictional, non-fictional, and poetic works by Northwest writers. Emphasizes relationship between Northwest writing and Northwest social, cultural and physical environments. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121 or WR 121Z. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Draw on textual evidence, Northwest physical environments and cultures to convincingly establish there is a literature of the Pacific Northwest.
  2. Identify and explain themes and issues prevalent in Northwest literature
  3. Write clear, focused, coherent essays about literature for an academic audience, using standard English conventions of grammar and style.

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major
1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)
Major
2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)
Not Addressed
3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)
Minor
4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)
Not Addressed
5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Discussion forums
  • Mini Essays
  • Final Essay

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

This course examines the question, Is there a literature of the PNW, distinct and unique from literatures of other regions?  Through this question, we examine the characters, themes, issues and styles of PNW fiction, non-fiction and poetry.  We examine the physical, cultural and social environments that have given rise to this literature.  We learn skills of literary analysis in both verbal and written forms. 

Suggested Texts and Materials

At least 60% of all course texts and materials in the WFLL should be written by a combination of women and other marginalized communities (people of color, LGBTQ, disabled authors, etc.

Completely at the instructor’s discretion, but may include:
  • Exile and Pride by Eli Clare
  • A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean
  • The Lathe of Heaven by Ursala K. LeQuin
  • Heartberries by Teresa Marie Mailhat
  • rough house by Tina Ontiveros
  • Into the Wilderness by Kim Banres
  • Survival Math by Martin Jackson
  • Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey.