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.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: 8 credits of English courses, including 4 credits above the 100-level.
Minimum GPA for major coursework: 2.00 GPA
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 279A: Literary Theory and Criticism
4 credits of ENGL 311: Creative Nonfiction
4 credits of ENGL 365: Capstone 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 no more than 4 credits at the 100 level 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 279A 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
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 no more than 4 credits at the 100 level 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
223 Literatures of the Americas
4 credits of ENGL 279A Literary Theory and Criticism
4 credits of ENGL 311 Creative Nonfiction
4 credits of ENGL 382 or ENGL 383
382 Race and Ethnicity in American Literature
383 Post-Colonial Literature
4 credits of ENGL 387 Introduction to Linguistics
8 credits of required courses from the Communication Department (will count toward the major only for students who complete the education minor)
4 credits of COMM 277A Listening for Justice
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 no more than 4 credits at the 100 level toward the major.
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 no more than 4 credits at the 100 level toward the major.
Narrative Practice Minor:
12 credits of required course work:
ENGL 111 Introduction to Narrative Practice
ENGL 213 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 3XX Advanced Narrative Practice
8 additional elective credits from the following courses (4 credits may be from either COMM or SOCI):
ENGL 206/207 Clinical Encounters
ENGL 214 Writing the Experience
ENGL 311 Creative Nonfiction
ENGL 313 Advanced Creative Writing
ENGL 317 Writing in Business
COMM 352 Health Communication
COMM 361 Fat Studies
SOCI 227A Global Health, Culture, and Inequality
SOCI 337M Medical Anthropology