Images of Reality

Often, the "facts" we have come to accept throughout life turn out to be nothing more than opinions, ideas, or images, rather than truths. These ideas may affect our perspectives on common concepts - such as money, race, gender, hierarchy, good and evil, and meaning - as well as on current events and history. In English 220: Images of Reality, we will identify "realities" that may or may not be based in truth, and begin to dissect them. One of our major undertakings will be to analyze the written, oral, and symbolic communication of others, attempting to decipher the decisions the authors of these texts have made, and the "truths" these texts convey. More central to the course, however, will be our own writing, which will focus on the explanation and discussion of our own analysis of other "texts." This is a good course for students who enjoy questioning reality, and who would like to practice communicating their analysis of competing realities.

English 220: Images of Reality is most importantly a course in composition. Readings will be required weekly, but will be kept to a minimum in length; many “texts” will not include reading at all. Rather, written communication is the primary requirement of this course. Major assignments will include two short (3 - 4 pages) analysis papers, one short (3 - 4 pages) application paper, one presentation, and a final paper (8+ pages), which may take the form of an analysis or application paper. Smaller written assignments will be required throughout the course.