Department of Language and Literature
The department provides instruction in the fields of English and Spanish. It also houses minors in English, Spanish, and Writing.
College Readiness
Developmental Education
The Department of Language and Literature at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is committed to the success of all students and provides developmental education course work to help students achieve college readiness in reading and/or writing. Depending on readiness, measured in part by Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) scores, students not yet college ready in reading and/or writing are placed in either INRW 0300 Integrated Reading and Writing co-requisite with ENGL 1301 or NCBI 0101 Non-Course Based Integrated Reading and Writing co-requisite with ENGL 1301. Developmental courses in reading and/or writing (INRW 0300 or NCBI 0101) receive a grade of credit/non-credit, which is not calculated into the student’s grade point average. Developmental courses do not count as part of a degree program. Academic advisors and the Coordinator of Freshman and Sophomore English within the Department of Language and Literature review each student’s academic record to determine appropriate placement.
Special Notations for Spanish
- Students who have successfully completed a 2000- or 3000-level course in the same language with a grade of C or better may not take a less advanced course in the same language for credit.
- Students who completed their secondary education in an institution where a foreign language was the principal language of instruction cannot enroll in elementary or intermediate courses in that language.
- A maximum of 12 semester hours of college credit in first or second level for previously completed work in foreign languages may be allowed. Credit may be obtained in one of three ways:
- by achieving an acceptable score in the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination (this examination must be taken prior to first registration at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; see "Credit by Advanced Placement Examination [CEEB]" for details);
- by local examination (see "Credit by Local Examination" for details); or
- by obtaining an either an Intermediate-Low (6 sch) or Advance-Low (12 sch) level in the ACTFL APPT Proficiency Placement Test.
- Students who receive credit are required to continue Spanish course in the Heritage-track sequence (SPAN 2301, SPAN 2302 or SPAN ADV.)
- Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the Spanish Undergraduate Program Coordinator.
Spanish, B.A. Fast-Track
The Spanish program offers a Fast-Track B.A. option for students who demonstrate native or near native fluency in Spanish. Students pursuing this track must do so as a secondary degree or with a double major in a secondary field of study. The program consists of 12 semester credit hours of advanced Spanish courses once credit is received for elementary and intermediate Spanish through two external examinations and one departmental evaluation. The two examinations are administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and students must pass the proficiency level of "Advanced" on the two modules offered, the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), the Reading Proficiency Test (RPT). In addition, students must pass an oral and listening proficiency evaluation with the Spanish Program Coordinator. A student on this track must obtain a C or better in their Spanish courses to receive a B.A. in Spanish.
To complete the Spanish B.A. Fast-Track program, students must obtain credit for 12 semester credit hours for elementary and intermediate Spanish, and complete 12 semester credit hours in advanced Spanish courses (3XXX or 4XXX level courses) with a grade of C or better. Students may register for any of the advanced Spanish courses offered, in consultation with the Spanish Program Coordinator and/or their Academic Advisor.
Department Faculty
Corbett, Steven Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; Director, University Writing Center; B.A., University of Washington; M.A., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of Washington.
Cortes, Luis Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of California San Diego; M.A., University of California San Diego; Ph.D., University of California San Diego.
Iniguez-Alba, Marco Senior Lecturer, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of California, Irvine; M.A., Claremont Graduate University; M.A., Middlebury College.
Johnson Vela, Michelle Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., Rice University; Ph.D., Indiana University.
Marin, Jody A Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., Texas A&M International University; M.A., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Ph.D., The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mukhopadhyay, Aniruddha Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of Calcutta (India); M.A., Jawaharlal Nehru University (India); Ph.D., University of Florida.
Orozco, Katherine Lecturer I, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., Texas A&M University-Kingsville; M.A., Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Paul, Ryan Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., Texas State University; Ph.D., University of Arizona.
Price, Kenneth Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., Angelo State University; M.A., Angelo State University; Ph.D., University of North Texas.
Stark, Fredrik Lecturer I, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., California State University; M.A., University of Minnesota; PhD., Northern Illinois University.
Vela Cordova, Roberto J Professor, Department of Language and Literature; Chair; B.A., Universidad del Sagrado Corazon (Puerto Rico); M.A., Indiana University; Ph.D., Indiana University.
Wright, Pamela Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., University of Maine at Augusta; M.A., Valdosta State University; Ph.D., Washington State University.
Emeritus
Sabrio, David Professor of English, Department of Language and Literature; Regents Professor; B.A., Louisiana State University in New Orleans; M.A., University of South Carolina; Ph.D., University of South Carolina.
Smith, Julia Professor of English, Department of Language and Literature; B.A., Our Lady of the Lake College; M.A., The University of Texas at Austin; Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin.
English (ENGL)
ENGL 1171 Information Literacy 1 SCH (1-0)
Concepts and practices associated with information literacy and research skills; the search for, use of, and documentation of information, especially electronic.
ENGL 1301 Rhetoric and Composition 3 SCH (3-0)
Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices; sensitivity to writing's purpose, arrangement, style, and audience. Focus on academic writing as a vehichle for learning, communication, and critical analysis. Required of all freshmen.
ENGL 1302 Rhetoric and Composition 3 SCH (3)
Continuation of ENGL 1301. Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing. Exphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions through academic writing. Prerequisite: ENGL 1301.
ENGL 2307 Intro Creative Writing 3 SCH (3-0)
Practical experience in the techniques of imaginative writing. Student writers may expect to practice their writing in the genres of fiction, (creative) nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and/or drama. Prerequisite: ENGL 1301.
ENGL 2314 Technical Writing 3 SCH (3-0)
ENGL 2342 Introduction to Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
ENGL 2362 Read in Short Story and Drama 3 SCH (3-0)
ENGL 2374 Professional Communication 3 SCH (3-0)
Communication skills for the professional. Writing of reports, letters, proposals, etc. Oral presentations in the form of group problem-solving, design reviews, requests for funding and/or public testimony/hearing. Use of presentation media to support oral communication. Prerequisite: ENGL 1302. (Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 2374 and COMS 2374.)
ENGL 3300 Special Topics in Writing 3 SCH (3-0)
Practice and refinement of the writing process with emphasis on audience, purpose and form, paying attention to rhetorical invention, arrangement and style appropriate to the particular topic. May be repeated when a different topic is scheduled. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English or permission of instructor.
ENGL 3301 Advanced Composition 3 SCH (3-0)
Advanced practice with college-level writing skills such as summary; analysis and synthesis; critique; information literacy; and research, with emphasis on analyzing rhetorical features of discourse and on a process approach to developing strategies for invention, organization, drafting, revision, and editing. Prerequisites: ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302.
ENGL 3304 Histories of Rhetoric 3 SCH (3-0)
Survey of major works in Rhetoric and their theoretical elements; may include political, geographical, or cultural elements that shape language use. Prerequisite: ENGL 2342.
ENGL 3314 Professional Writing Style 3 SCH (3-0)
Principles of professional writing style with extensive practice in writing, analyzing, and editing technical prose. Examination of the syntactical and semantic choices necessary to produce technical prose suitable for any purpose, audience, and type of document in professional/industrial settings. Prerequisite: ENGL 1302.
ENGL 3331 Survey of Global Literatures 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of world literature in multiple genres, exploring global perspectives on major issues in the Humanities. Prerequisite: ENGL 2342.
ENGL 3332 Survey of British Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of British literature, emphasizing the characteristics of different genres and historical periods and further refining writing skills. Prerequisite: ENGL 2342.
ENGL 3333 Survey of American Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of American literature, emphasizing the characteristics of different genres and historical periods and further refining writing skills. Prerequisite: ENGL 2342.
ENGL 3334 Literary Theory 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of literary critical theory and its application to literature and culture, with an emphasis on twentieth and twenty-first century theories. Prerequisite: ENGL 2342.
ENGL 3340 Creative Writing & Publication 3 SCH (3-0)
Workshop environment for composing and reading creative works in progress. Basic instruction in graphics software and definition of terminology associated with fiction and poetry composition, page layout and printing. Active participation in the creation of TAMUK's literary magazine. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English or permission of instructor.
ENGL 3376 Mythology 3 SCH (3-0)
Greek and Roman mythology; epics of Western Europe, as background for the study of literature in the English language. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English or permission of instructor.
ENGL 3399 Intermediate Topics-Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Readings in special topics such as science fiction, detective novels, Chicano literature, African-American literature, women's studies or the dialects of American English. Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 3399, when taught from a women and gender studies perspective, and WGST 3399. Can be repeated once when topics change. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English or permission of instructor.
ENGL 4114 Senior Portfolio Project 1 SCH (0-2)
Guided creation and presentation of the final senior portfolio. Students should register for ENGL 4114 before the final semester of the BA. Prerequisite: Senior standing in English. Credit/Non-credit.
ENGL 4303 Advanced Creative Writing 3 SCH (3-0)
Advanced practice with the elements of creative writing, such as plot, character development, and setting. Focuses on a process approach to developing strategies for invention, organization, drafting, revision, and editing. Prerequisites: ENGL 2307, ENGL 2342, and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
ENGL 4310 Introd to Linguistics 3 SCH (3-0)
An introduction to the scientific study of language. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4311 English Grammar and Usage 3 SCH (3-0)
The structure of the present-day English language, with attention to its varieties and history. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4314 Internship in Writing 1-3 SCH (1-3-0)
On- or off-campus internship. Professional experience in writing, editing, and/or designing documents in government, institutional, business, or industry settings. Prerequisites: 6 hours of English at the 3000 level and permission of instructor.
ENGL 4322 British Lit of The Middle Ages 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected readings in translation from Old English to Middle English poetry and prose, with emphasis on Beowulf, the Arthurian legends and the Canterbury Tales. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4325 Lit of The British Renaissance 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected readings in poetry, prose and non-Shakespearean drama of the 16th and 17th centuries. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4327 Restr and 18th Cent Brit Lit 3 SCH (3-0)
The period from 1660 to 1800 with representative works of the major writers in verse, prose and drama. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4331 The Major Plays of Shakespeare 3 SCH (3-0)
A close analysis of representative comedies and histories and the major tragedies. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4340 Topics in British Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected topics in British Literature. A topic for intensive investigation will be selected for each offering of the course. May be repeated once when topic changes. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English. (Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 4340, when topic is taught from a women's studies perspective, and WGST 4340.)
ENGL 4341 Studies in the British Novel 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of significant British novels, with emphasis upon such authors as Fielding, Richardson, Eliot, Hardy, Burgess and Joyce. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4343 19th Century British Lit (WI) 3 SCH (3-0)
Major writers of the Romantic and Victorian periods. Cultural background and representative works, including poetry and nonfiction prose. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4346 20th Century British Lit 3 SCH (3-0)
Chief modern British writers of poetry, prose and drama. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4360 Topics in American Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected topics in literature from the United States. A topic for intensive investigation will be selected for each offering of the course. May be repeated with different topics, but no more than 6 SCH may count toward major or minor requirements. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English. (Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 4360, when topic is taught from a women's studies perspective and WGST 4361.)
ENGL 4361 Studies in the Amer Novel 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of significant American novels. Emphasis may be on historical development, certain periods, special topics treated by American novelists or varieties of American fiction. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4365 Col & 19th Cent Amer Lit (WI) 3 SCH (3-0)
Survey of the chief nineteenth-century poets and prose writers, with some attention to their colonial predecessors. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4366 20th Century Amer Lit 3 SCH (3-0)
Survey of the chief twentieth-century American poets and prose writers. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4370 Spec Topics in Lit or Lang 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected topics in British or American literature and/or world literature and language. A topic for intensive investigation will be selected for each offering of the course. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of sophomore English. (Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 4370, when topic is taught from a women's studies perspective and WMST 4370.)
ENGL 4372 American Short Story 3 SCH (3-0)
Study of short fiction by American authors. Emphasis may be on historical development, certain periods, special topics treated by American writers, formal invention and style, or schools of fiction writing. Prerequisite: 3 hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4374 Southwestern Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Survey of Southwestern American Literature from the period of exploration to contemporary authors with emphasis on what makes their works characteristically "Southwestern." Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4376 Social Class and Language 3 SCH (3-0)
How social class, race, and/or gender affect English language usage are placed under intense investigation. Home languages of students are compared with linguistic requirements of formal education systems. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of sophomore English.
ENGL 4380 Topics in World Literature 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected topics in world literature written in English or in English translation. A topic for intensive investigation will be selected for each offering of the course. May be repeated with different topics, but no more than 6 SCH may count toward major or minor requirements. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English. (Credit may not be obtained in both ENGL 4380, when topic is taught from a women's studies perspective, and WGST 4380.)
ENGL 4384 Studies in Drama 3 SCH (3-0)
Selected topics in American, British or Continental drama. Emphasis may be on historical development, certain periods or some other approach to the study of drama. May be repeated once when a different topic is scheduled. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of junior English; or 6 hours of sophomore English.
French (FREN)
FREN 1311 Elementary French 3 SCH (3-0)
For students without previous knowledge of the language. An introductory course teaching the fundamentals of French in order to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. Language laboratory required.
FREN 1312 Elementary French 3 SCH (3-0)
FREN 2311 Intermediate French 3 SCH (3-0)
FREN 2312 Intermediate French 3 SCH (3-0)
FREN 2315 French and Francophone Culture 3 SCH (3-0)
FREN 3301 Adv Grammar and Composition 3 SCH (3-0)
The basic principles and formal study of grammar. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of French.
FREN 3321 French Literature to 1800 3 SCH (3-0)
History of French literature in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and classical period through the 18th century. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of French.
Integrated Reading and Writing (INRW)
INRW 0300 Integrated Reading & Writing 3 SCH (3-0)
Integration of critical reading and academic writing skills. Course fulfills TSI requirements for reading and/or writing. Required of students deemed not college-ready in reading and writing skills. Credit/Non-Credit.
Non-Course Based Option Courses
NCBI 0101 NCBO Integrated Read/Writing 1 SCH (0-2)
Integration of critical reading and academic writing skills. Placement is based on TSI Assessment and holistic evaluation. Credit/Non-Credit.
Spanish (SPAN)
SPAN 1313 Elementary Spanish I 3 SCH (3-1)
Open only to students with little or no previous contact with the Spanish language. An introductory course teaching the fundamentals of Spanish in order to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. Language laboratory required.
SPAN 1314 Elementary Spanish II 3 SCH (3-1)
SPAN 1373 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 3 SCH (3-1)
Introductory course designed for students whose greatest exposure to Spanish has been in the home or community rather than the classroom. Building on the linguistic knowledge that heritage speakers already bring to the classroom, the course stresses reading and writing skills. Language laboratory required. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
SPAN 2301 Intermediate Spanish I 3 SCH (3-0)
2301. Intermediate Spanish I. 3(3-0) A review of Spanish grammar and expansion of basic language skills. Selected readings by Hispanic writers. Conducted in Spanish. Language laboratory available. Prerequisite: SPAN 1302; SPAN 1314 or two or more years of high school Spanish with departmental approval.
SPAN 2302 Intermediate Spanish II 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I 3 SCH (3-1)
A review of Spanish grammar and expansion of basic language skills. Language laboratory required. Prerequisite: SPAN 1314 or three or more years of high school Spanish with departmental approval.
SPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish II 3 SCH (3-1)
SPAN 3301 Advanced Spanish Grammar 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 3302 Spanish Composition 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 3311 Professional Spanish 3 SCH (3-0)
Enables students to interact and work effectively with the international and domestic Spanish-speaking medical, legal and business worlds. Emphasizes interaction between both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking professional communities and within the Spanish-speaking professional community. Prerequisite: SPAN 2302 or SPAN 2312.
SPAN 3321 Survey of Span Pen Lit (WI) 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 3361 Survey of Spanish Amer Lit 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 4311 Spanish Linguistics 3 SCH (3-0)
SPAN 4319 Hispanic Culture 3 SCH (3-0)