University Of Pretoria English Department

University Of Pretoria English Department, Welcome to the official web page of the Department of English at the University of Pretoria. The Department of English offers a range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as several short courses. Join this diverse department for a journey through some of the greatest literature ever been written, and embark on the adventure of using the most dynamic language in the world, a language that continues to change every day. The attachment below contains further information for new students. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us

Undergraduate

English courses can be taken as part of a BA (own choice), or as part of a more specialised package (please note entrance requirements):

BA LANGUAGES (Code 01130013)

This package is aimed at equipping learners with communication skills as well as in-depth knowledge of the language, literature and culture of at least one language. Through the study of language, students are guided towards critical reflection on and justified participation in (cultural) discourses, and they acquire perspectives on different aspects of humanity and human interaction with the world. They are also equipped to become researchers or practitioners (full-time or freelance) in any of the following professional domains: translation, editing, lexicography, language planning and language development, teaching, corporate communication, document design, advertising, creative writing, media work, community development, tourism and the diplomatic service.

INDIVIDUAL COURSES

ENG 110: Introduction to Literature in English (1)
12 credits
In this semester course, students are introduced to the critical study of literature by examining a number of texts representing different genres (poetry, prose and drama). The texts studied here are mainly from the pre-20th-century era and may include texts written in English from both Africa and other parts of the world. The aim of this module is to equip students with the critical analytical skills for a perceptive reading of poetry, novels and plays.
This 12-credit semester course runs in the first semester (three contact sessions per week). It is also offered at the Groenkloof Campus.

ENG 120: Introduction to Literature in English (2)
12 credits
This semester course introduces the study of post-19th-century literature by examining a number of texts representing different genres (poetry, drama and prose). The texts studied here are mainly from the twentieth century and may include texts written in both Africa and other parts of the world. By the end of this course, students should have the background and analytical skills required to perceptively read modern and contemporary poetry, novels and plays.
This 12-credit semester course runs in the second semester (three contact sessions per week). It is also offered at the Groenkloof campus.

ENG 118: English for Specific Purposes: English for Language Practitioners
12 credits
This first semester course is intended to equip students with a working knowledge of English grammar and usage, and is particularly useful for those interested in a career in teaching, editing, document design or other forms of language practice.
The module runs in two possible day-time slots (three contact sessions per week) in the first semester. It is NOT available after hours. It is NOT offered at Groenkloof.

ENG 210: Modernism and Language Studies
* Requires: ENG 110, ENG 120
20 credits
In this first semester course, students read a representative selection of late 19th-century and 20th-century English novels, plays and poetry. They are also introduced to the key principles of the Modernist movement, elementary narratology and other relevant theoretical and critical concepts. The course may also cover an introduction to basic linguistic and socio-linguistic disciplines, and/or the history and development of the English language, and/or various areas of applied linguistics. Some assistance on academic essay writing skills is also provided as necessary.
This 20-credit semester course runs in the first semester (four contact sessions per week) and can also be taken after hours on the Groenkloof Campus (three contact sessions per week).

ENG 220: 20th Century, Postcolonial and Contemporary Literature
* Requires: ENG 110, ENG 120
20 credits
The course focuses on post-19th-century literature in English. Various genres are covered and particular attention is given to postcolonial and South African writing. The introduction to the key principles of the modernist movement, elementary narratology and other relevant theoretical and critical concepts continues.
This 20-credit semester course runs in the second semester (four contact sessions per week) and can also be taken after hours on the Groenkloof Campus (three contact sessions per week).

ENG 310: Medieval and Renaissance Literature (renamed from 2021: Reading Medieval, Renaissance and Eighteenth Century Literature)
* Requires: ENG 110, ENG 120, ENG 210, ENG 220
30 credits
This course allows students to study the works of representative poets from Chaucer to Pope, as well as Renaissance drama, including Shakespeare and other Renaissance dramatists. An eighteenth-centry novel may be included. Relevant African texts may be included. The general characteristics and techniques of the specific poets are discussed in relation to developments in aesthetic theory and socio-historical change. Several of Shakespeare’s plays in the genres of comedy, tragedy, history and romance are studied. By the end of the course, students should have a sense of Shakespeare’s whole dramatic oeuvre, be able to discuss selected works in detail as well as write informed analyses of passages from these plays. We may also include texts that ‘read back’ to these earlier periods and enter into a dialogue with them.
This 30-credit course runs in the first semester (four contact sessions per week).
It is NOT available after hours, or on the Groenkloof Campus.

ENG 320: Augustan, Romantic and Nineteenth Century Literature (renamed from 2021: Reading Romantic and Nineteenth Century Literature)
* Requires: ENG 110, 120, ENG 210, ENG 220
30 credits
In this course, students read a representative selection of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century poetry, novels and plays in English, as well as more recent texts talking back to these periods. The course focuses on Romantic poetry, but includes nineteenth century poetry written in England and elsewhere. It also traces the rise of the novel in English, exploring some of the various literary theories that could inform the reading of these texts. By the end of this course, students should be able to read, discuss and analyse poetry and novels written during this period with enhanced understanding and sophistication. A play may be included in the scope of the course.
This 30-credit course runs in the second semester (four contact sessions per week).
It is NOT available after hours or on the Groenkloof Campus.

ENG 311: Editing: Principles and Practice (discontinued from 2021)
* Requires a minimum of 64 credits in ENG modules.
* Requires ENG 118 (or ENG 158 for students who did that course)
* Candidates need a 65% average at second-year level or must pass an entrance test.
30 credits
This first semester course develops language editing skills on a variety of texts from different fields and of varying levels of complexity for a specific target audience. Students are required to edit work, to produce grammatical, idiomatic and logical English texts, taking into account peculiarities of South African English and local needs. They also learn to adjust work to meet the needs of a specified target audience. Language editing skills are applied to a variety of texts from different fields and of varying levels of complexity for a specific target audience. The principles of plain language editing are applied, in addition to strategies for overcoming textual complexity for given audiences, ranging from academics to neo-literates. A specialist focus is the editing of texts according to specification. Electronic editing is also covered.
The course is highly practical and is workshop-based.
It is offered in the first semester. The course is NOT available after hours. It is only offered on Main Campus.

ENG 322: Introduction to Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) (discontinued from 2021)
* Requires a minimum of 64 credits in ENG modules.
* Requires ENG 118 (or ENG 158 for students who did that course).
30 credits
This second semester course focuses on the theoretical dimensions of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
The emphasis of this module is on
(i) second-language acquisition; and
(ii) general methodologies of teaching English as a second/foreign language.

Its emphasis is practical, covering the different components of language teaching (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, fluency, etc.). NB – although the course involves actual TESOL classroom observation, there is no teaching practice.
The course is offered in the second semester. The course is NOT available after hours. It is only offered on Main Campus.

Postgraduate

BA (Hons) specialising in English

MA specialising in English

DLitt in English

BA(HONS) SPECIALISING IN ENGLISH [BA(Hons) English] (Code 01240211)

Programme manager:

Prof. JA Wessels,
HB 16-21
Tel: (012) 420-2421,
Email: andries.wessels@up.ac.za

Admission requirements:

A Baccalaureus Artium degree with a minimum of 132 credits in English (of which 60 must be from the modules ENG 310 and ENG 320 or equivalent modules from other universities), with an average mark of 70%, except at the discretion of the Head of Department. Teaching or other experience will be taken into account.

An Honours degree in English is the culmination of coursework in this subject at most universities. The University of Pretoria’s course is exciting and stimulating as well as challenging.
Full-time students are encouraged to complete the course in one year; part time students should consider taking eighteen months or two years.
The Honours degree consists of a total of 120 credits, selected as follows:

– A compulsory fundamental module, ENG 701: Poetics & Literary Theory (15 credits)

– A compulsory mini-dissertation, ENG 778 Essay (30 credits)
The mini-dissertation, under supervision, is done on a subject of the student’s choice, provided a suitable supervisor is available.

– Five of the following core modules (15 credits each) (note that not all courses run every year, and that a minimum of five students must take a module for the module to run):

ENG 703 SA Literature I
ENG 704 PanAfrican Literature II
ENG 773 Children’s Literature
ENG 776 English Grammar and Phonology
ENG 777 Editing
ENG 780 Creative Writing
ENZ 701 Medieval Literature
ENZ 703 Shakespeare
ENZ 704 Renaissance and Seventeenth-Century Literature
ENZ 705 The Augustan Vision
ENZ 706 The Romance in England
ENZ 771 Modernism
ENZ 772 Postmodernism

In all modules, 90-minute seminars or lectures will take place weekly, some in the late afternoon. The timetable is arranged each year to suit students and staff, at the first meeting. This meeting is usually held in the last week of January every year. Consult the Events page of this website for the date, or contact Prof. Medalie or Prof. Wessels. It is vital for all students to attend this meeting, armed with their choice of modules.

The modules on offer and their order may vary from year to year, subject to demand and the availability of staff. Only courses taken by at least five students will be offered in any year. You are therefore advised to have second choices in reserve. Course descriptions are provided later on in this web page.

For more details on any of these courses, contact the course manager:

Prof. JA Wessels,
HB 16-21
Tel: (012) 420-2421,
Email: andries.wessels@up.ac.za

Performance scholarships are available at the University of Pretoria (but are not guaranteed). Consult the bursaries and scholarship pages.

Students may also apply for the Marguerite Sabbagha Bursary, the RM Titlestad Bursary, or the Jean McWilliam Scholarship.

Honours course descriptions:

ENG 701 Poetics and Literary Theory 701 (15 credits)
This module provides survey of poetics and literary theory in English, with particular reference to developments since the beginning of the twentieth century. It covers aspects such a New Criticism, Structuralism and Post-structuralism, as well as feminist and Marxist approaches to literature.

ENG 703 South African Writing 703 (15 credits)
This module is designed to provide students with exposure to the development of South African literature from its roots in the oral tradition as well as early settler writing, to contemporary and post-apartheid writing. Some of the important figures in our literature (Plaatjie, Head, Paton, Livingstone, Gordimer, Coetzee, Mda) are usually represented, but care has also been taken to include new directions in the current literary scene.

ENG 704 Pan African Writing 704 (15 credits)
The course begins with a general introduction to literary approaches and concepts in African writing. Thereafter a selection of prose, drama and poetry from West, East and Central Africa is studied.
This course is offered only in June and July as an intensive course.

ENG 773 Children’s Literature 773 (15 credits)
A range of interest in children’s literature is represented in this course. The course discusses literature for children, covering various genres and periods.

ENG 776 English Grammar and Phonology 776 (15 credits)
The course focuses on grammar and phonology, largely from the perspective of teaching English as a foreign language. It pays special attention to the typical problems learners have in both these areas and to dealing with these problems.

ENG 777 Editing: Principles and Practice 777 (15 credits)
The course develops language editing skills, using a variety of texts from different fields and of varying levels of complexity. Students edit texts to produce grammatical, idiomatic and logical English texts, taking into account peculiarities of South African English and local needs. They adjust texts to meet the needs of a specified target audience. The principles of Plain Language Editing are applied, in addition to strategies to overcome textual complexities for given target audiences, ranging from academics to neo-literates. Editing according to specification, with the emphasis on academic editing and electronic editing are covered. On request, a special focus is the editing of translations in the SA context.

ENG 778 Essay 778 (30 credits)
A specialised topic (in an extended essay form) on any aspect of English language or literature, written under supervision.

ENG 780 Creative Writing 780 (15 credits)
This module caters for students who have an interest in writing and who wish to produce original, creative work of their own. It is practical in orientation, and the aim is to guide and assist students in producing a portfolio of creative work of a high standard.

ENZ 701 Medieval Literature 701 (15 credits)
This module introduces the student to the reading and appreciation of Old and Middle English literature. The course includes the study of Old English texts, including the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon homiletic or heroic poems. The focus then shifts to Middle English, highlighting the work of Chaucer and Medieval lyrical poetry and drama.

ENZ 703 Shakespeare 703 (15 credits)
The course consists of a selection of Shakespeare’s plays and non-dramatic poetry, focusing on specialised topics. In addition to a text-based approach, it also covers contemporary theoretical approaches to Shakespeare, and Shakespeare in the school classroom.

ENZ 704 Renaissance and Seventeenth Century Literature 704 (15 credits)
The English Renaissance spans the period of approximately 1560 to 1680. This course deals with the period from the Elizabethan Age to the early Restoration. It excludes Shakespeare, to whom a separate course is devoted, but deals with Shakespeare’s contemporaries. It also deals with the major poetry and drama of the period and with some of the prose.

ENZ 705 The Augustan Vision 705 (15 credits)
This module explores a range of works written between 1660 and 1760 and, in keeping with recent critical approaches to the period, emphasises the age’s exuberance, comic and satiric energy, and willingness to experiment with literary forms. Writers discussed include Pope, Johnson, Swift, Wycherley, Congreve and a selection of less well-known female poets and dramatists.

ENZ 706 The Romance in England 706 (15 credits)
In reading works by writers such as the ‘Gawain’ poet, Malory, Spenser and Tolkien, students will be encouraged to see how such works can conform to generic conventions while also reflecting the preoccupations and values of very different societies.

ENZ 771 Modernism 771 (15 credits)
The modernist movement is examined in the context of contemporary developments in psychology, physics and anthropology, with an emphasis on the break with traditional literary and artistic conventions. Literary developments will be discussed in relation to seminal texts in poetry. prose and drama, including the work of authors such as Yeats, Eliot, Hardy, Lawrence, Joyce, Conrad and Beckett. (Texts vary.)

ENZ 772 Postmodernism 772 (15 credits)
This module introduces students to certain key concepts in relation to postmodernism and postmodern literature. A wide range of texts are studied, which may include works by British, American, Canadian and South African writers.

MA SPECIALISING IN ENGLISH [MA (English)]

(Code: 01250211)

It is possible for a student to do a research MA culminating in a dissertation.

ENG 890 Dissertation: English

Contact the programme manager:

Prof D Medalie, HSB 16-18 Tel 012 420 2716 david.medalie@up.ac.za

Admission at the discretion of the Department.

Admission requirements:

A BA Hons in English degree with an average of 70%, except at the discretion of the Department.

Additional requirements:

An acceptable level of proficiency in English is a requisite.

An approved research proposal is required.

PhD in English (Code: 01260211)

Students can register for a PhD in English, focusing on literature or language. The research culminates in a doctoral thesis and an examination.

ENG 990 Thesis: English [480 credits]
ENG 900 Examination: English

Admission at the discretion of the Department.

Programme manager:

Prof D Medalie, HSB 16-18 Tel 012 420 2716 david.medalie@up.ac.za

Admission requirements:

A minimum of 70% for the dissertation in the related Master’s degree programme articulating with the specific doctoral degree programme.

Selection takes place before admission.

Additional requirements:

Prospective students may have to submit an admissions essay or sit for an examination or do additional modules to enable them to reach the desired level of study.

An acceptable level of proficiency in English is a requisite.
An approved research proposal is required.

Short Courses

Children’s Literature
Editing: Principles & Practice

Postgraduate Short Courses

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (second semester)

Co-ordinators: Dr I Noomé, Prof MA Brown

Note: A B-degree is required. Admission is strictly at the discretion of the course co-ordinators.

A range of children’s literature is presented in this course. It discusses literature for and about children and covers the history of children’s literature, the application of theory to children’s literature, and the different kinds and modes of children’s literature, including the following: fairy tales, nursery rhymes, folk tales, fantasy, formula writing, fact parading as fiction and school stories, focusing on novels for children. It covers selected texts from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century.

Contact:
Dr I Noomé
Department of English, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002
Humanities Building, Room 16-29
Tel: 012 420 3379 or 012 420 2421
Fax: 012 420 5191
Email: idette.noome@up.ac.za
OR

Prof MA Brown
Department of English, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002
Human Sciences Building Room 16-14
Tel: 012 420 2421
Fax: 012 420 5191
Email: molly.brown@up.ac.za

EDITING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (first semester)

Co-ordinator: Dr I Noomé

Note: A B-degree is required. Admission is strictly at the discretion of the course co-ordinator. An entrance test may be applied at the discretion of the course co-ordinator. Only a limited number of students can be accepted per year, and no additional students will be accepted after the course has already started. The course normally runs from the end of January to the end of June.

After a brief self-study revision of grammar, problem areas frequently found in South African writing are discussed. The structuring of argument, register and tone, and the division of material into sections are dealt with in greater detail, and are practised. Students are given practice in editing the language and argument structure of writers (micro-and macro-editing). The issues surrounding the Plain Language Movement are discussed, and students do some plain language editing. Upon request, they are briefly exposed to translation, with the focus on how to evaluate and edit translations, how to identify problems and how to solve them. The course is intended to practise the skill of using language as a tool to enhance and present information. The presentation is largely workshop-based, with a few guest lecturers who are experienced in the field. The types of texts used are as varied as possible to provide broad exposure to different kinds of editing, especially in South African conditions. Electronic editing is addressed.

The editing course also accommodates students doing the Publishing course with the Information Science Department. It is largely practical in nature.

The course is full for 2018, but if you are interested in joining for 2019, please email the course coordinator in good time – there is usually a waiting list from August for the following year.

Contact: Dr I Noomé
Department of English, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002
Humanities Building Room 16-29
Tel: 012 420 3379 or 012 420 2421
Fax: 012 420 5191
Email: idette.noome@up.ac.za

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