English
Department Chair: Yvette South
Faculty: Christopher Bolin, Matthew Callahan, Jessica Harkins, Matthew Harkins, Elizabeth Johnson, John Kendall, Cynthia Malone, Luke Mancuso OSB, Rachel Marston, Madhu Mitra, Yvette South, Christina Tourino
The department of English offers traditional and innovative courses to meet the needs of both liberal arts and pre-professional students. We prepare majors for a wide range of careers as well as for further study of literature. We also work closely with the education department to help English majors with education minors meet state licensing requirements. The department encourages students to participate in the college's International Studies Programs or to pursue independent studies abroad.
By studying literatures in English, students gain insight into experiences and ways of thinking and feeling different from their own. As a result, they come to perceive the shared humanity of people as well as the differences determined by such circumstances as gender, race, and class. These insights foster cooperation and community, both in the classroom and in the larger world.
The English department teaches students to read thoughtfully and perceptively, to listen carefully, to analyze critically, and to express their ideas logically, clearly, and precisely. Through exposure to theoretical and critical debates, students learn various ways of interpreting and analyzing literature. By exploring literature, film and other forms of discourse, students develop an understanding of the growing and rapidly changing world of contemporary English studies. Courses include excellent writers who have been excluded from the literary mainstream in addition to traditionally respected British and American authors.
Through analytical and creative writing, students practice a variety of literary forms and develop their own talent. Through reading, writing, and discussing, students discover the values inherent in literary works and the theories which shape our interpretation of them. Students also come to a clearer and deeper awareness of their own values as they develop an individual voice to express them.
Assessment
The English Department conducts regular assessment of student learning in the major. Methods of assessment include: a yearly analysis of student sample essays.
Admission Requirements
Students may apply to the department: (1) if they possess at least average college skills in speech, reading, and writing; (2) if they have completed eight credits of English courses at CSB/SJU, including four above the 100-level and (3) if they have a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average in major coursework.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
Major
The English department offers concentrations in literature, creative writing, and English communication arts/literature for 5-12 education.
English Major (40 credits)
Required Courses:
8 credits of ENGL 221-223 (must be differently numbered):
221: World Literatures
222: Literatures in English
223: Literature of the Americas
4 credits of ENGL 243: Literary Theory and Criticism
4 credits of ENGL 311: Creative Nonfiction
4 credits of ENGL 365: Capstone or HONR 398 Honors Senior Essay, Research or Creative Project. (4), or EDUC 362 Student Teaching. (4-16)
20 credits of English electives
At least 16 credits must be in upper-division courses
Students may apply only one course from 120-124 toward the major
Students must have sophomore standing to enroll in 300-level courses
English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing (44 credits)
4 credits of ENGL 213: Creative Writing - Fiction and Poetry
8 credits of ENGL 221-223 (must be differently numbered):
221 World Literatures
222 Literatures in English
223 Literature of the Americas
4 credits of ENGL 243 Literary Theory and Criticism
4 credits of ENGL 311 Creative Nonfiction
4 credits of ENGL 313 Advanced Creative Writing
4 credits of ENGL 368 Creative Writing - Capstone or HONR 398 Honors Thesis
Creative Project.
16 credits of English electives
At least 16 credits must be in upper-division courses
Students may also apply 4 credits from COMM 245 Media Writing, COMM 247 Advanced Media Writing, or THEA 211 Playwriting
Students may apply only one course from 120-124 toward the major
Students must have sophomore standing to enroll in 300-level courses
Concentration in English - Communication Arts/Literature for 5-12 Education Licensure (44 credits)
Students in this program meet the same requirements as do other English majors. Secondary-Education minors must also meet the requirements of the Education Department. Students are strongly encouraged to contact an English Secondary Education advisor as soon as possible in their college career, preferably as first-year students.
Students who transfer to these colleges should see an English Secondary-Education advisor before registering for classes. Students should contact both the Education and the English Departments for detailed information on their programs.
Required Courses:
8 credits of ENGL 221-223 (must be differently numbered)
221 World Literatures
222 Literatures in English
223Literatures of the Americas
4 credits of ENGL 243 Literary Theory and Criticism
4 credits of ENGL 311 Creative Nonfiction
4 credits of ENGL 382 or ENGL 383
382 Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Literatures
383 Post-Colonial Literature
4 credits of ENGL 387 English Language (Linguistics)
8 credits of required courses from the Communication Department (will count toward the major only for students who complete the education minor)
2 credits of COMM 200 Public Speaking Basics
2 credits of COMM 252 Listening Basics
4 credits of COMM 103 Media and Society
4 credits of EDUC 362 (Capstone)
Elective Courses:
8 credits of ENGL (The English Department strongly recommends ENGL 352 Shakespeare as 4 of these credits.)
See also the Education Department's listing of courses required for a 5-12 licensure.
Minor: (20 credits)
English Minor:
20 credits of English courses, including at least 12 at the upper-division level. The English Department strongly recommends that students take English 311.
Students may apply only one course from 120-124 toward the minor.
Writing Minor:
12 credits of writing courses within the English major. Students may substitute COMM 245 Introduction to Media Writing and COMM 247 Advanced Media Writing
8 additional elective English credits
The English Department strongly recommends that students take English 311.
Students may apply only one course from 120-124 toward the minor.
100-Level Courses
120 Fiction (4)
121 Fiction and Film (4)
122 Fiction and Poetry (4)
123 Poetry (4)
185 Special Topics (4)
Writing
206/207 Creative Writing: Clinical encounters I/II (8)
211 Creative Writing: Nonfiction (4)
213 Creative Writing: Fiction and Poetry (4)
214 Writing the Experience (4)
220 Creative Inquiries (4)
311 Creative Nonfiction (4)
313 Advanced Creative Writing (4)
315 Writing: Special Topics (4)
Gateway Courses: Literature
221 World Literature (4)
222 Literatures in English (4)
223 Literature of the Americas (4)
Gateway Courses: Theory
243 Literary Theory and Criticism (4)
Literature and Literary History
340 Topics in British Literature (4)
348 Topics in U.S. Literature (4)
351 Chaucer (4)
352 Shakespeare (4)
355 Studies in Individual Authors (4)
367 Studies in Contemporary Literature (4)
381 Literature by Women (4)
382 Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Literatures (4)
383 Post-Colonial Literature (4)
385 Studies in Literature (4)
Theory and Culture
Consult the English Department Course Description Booklet for a description of each semester's offerings.
243 Literary Theory and Criticism (4)
286 Introduction to Film Studies (4)
369 Studies in Critical Theory (4)
386 Studies in Film (4)
387 Introduction to Linguistics (4)
388 Studies in Popular Culture (4)
Capstone
365 Capstone (4)
368 Creative Writing: Capstone (4)
HONR 398 Honors Senior Essay, Research or Creative Project (4)
EDUC 362 Student Teaching (4-16)
Special Courses
271 Individual Learning Project (1-4)
371 Individual Learning Project (1-4)
397 Internship (4)