Page 200 - University Bulletin

ELAN234 The Study of Meaning
Credits: 3 (3,0,0) Prerequisites: ELAN130
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and theories of semantics, the study of meaning
in language. Students will explore how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning through
key topics such as lexical semantics, compositional semantics, and pragmatics. The course
examines how meaning is constructed, interpreted, and influenced by language, culture, and
context. Through practical exercises and discussions, students will develop skills to analyze
meaning in spoken and written texts, enhancing their understanding of how language conveys
ideas, emotions, and social signals.

ELAN235 Analyzing English Discourse
Credits: 3 (3,0,0) Prerequisites: ELAN234
This course examines how language functions in communication, focusing on the structures and
patterns of spoken and written discourse. Students will explore discourse analysis as a method for
studying language in context, analyzing how meaning is constructed through social interactions,
texts, and communicative situations. Key topics include coherence, cohesion, turn-taking, speech
acts, politeness strategies, power, identity, and ideology in discourse. Through the study of various
genres such as conversation, media, academic texts and everyday communication, students will
develop analytical skills to examine language use and its role in shaping social relationships.

ELAN240 Introduction to Literature
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: None
The course explores the three major genres in English literature: Poetry, Novel, and Drama
providing an overview of the development of English language/literature. The major components
of literary criticism such as literary terms and critical concepts are examined with a focus on how
opinion is expressed in scholarly writing.

ELAN241 Fiction
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: ELAN240
The course is designed to acquaint students with the genre of novel as it first emerged in the 18th
century in England and the reasons beyond its emergence late on the literary scene. The evolution
of the novel is tracked across successive eras from 18th century through to the late 20th century
with an emphasis on the social, political, and cultural contexts prevalent in each era in the United
Kingdom. The appearance and growth of the American novel in the 19th century is introduced
and contrasted to its English counterpart.

ELAN242 Drama
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: ELAN240
This course is designed to cultivate appreciation of drama by close readings and discussions of
plays of three recognized masters of drama: Shakespeare, Wilde and O'Neill in the first portion of
the class. Following that, other distinguished plays from other parts of the world in the 19th and
the 20th centuries are visited and critically discussed.

ELAN243 Poetry
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: ELAN240
The course introduces students to English poetry through in-depth practice readings and analysis
of selected works of major British and American poets. The aim is to understand, analyze and
appreciate poetry by determining and evaluating its aesthetic and human values. Students study
a variety of major poetic types and forms. Poetic techniques such as figurative language, rhythm
and meter are covered and discussed.

188 PSU UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN