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2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts in English

Requirements for a Major in English

All English majors will earn the B.A. degree, which in addition to basic skills and general education course requirements mandates third-semester proficiency in a foreign language of the student's choice. (A placement test is available to students who desire advanced placement or waiver of the foreign language requirement.) All English majors must choose an emphasis within the major and complete the three English foundation courses and the Capstone course, ENG 495 - Language and Literature.

Foundation Courses

There are nine credits required at the 200-level, including:

Requirements for the Emphases

All English majors must choose one of the following emphases:

  • Language and literature
  • Elementary language arts education
  • Secondary English education

Each emphasis requires different options from the six course categories that follow.

Note: ENG 215 - Foundations of Literary Study: Genre and ENG 216 - Foundations of Literary Study: Critical Approaches serve as prerequisites for all 300- and 400-level literature courses not offered in the General Education Program. ENG 261 - Foundations of Language Study serves as a prerequisite for all 300- and 400-level linguistics courses not offered in the General Education Program. *Courses marked with an asterisk are courses that belong to general education Issues.

A. American Literature

The courses in this category focus on important periods, themes, and fields in American literary history. They seek to define, explore, and broaden our understanding of literature in the context of its historical moment.

B. British Literature

The courses in this category focus on important periods, themes, and fields in British literary history. They seek to define, explore, and broaden our understanding of literature in the context of its historical moment.

C. International Literature

The courses in this category focus on a variety of international literatures in translation as well as on global literatures written in English. They seek to define, explore, and broaden our understanding of literature in the context of its historical moment.

D. Approaches to Literature

The courses in this category focus on different genres, methods, topics, and concepts through which to approach, analyze, and interpret literature.

E. Approaches to Language

The courses in this category focus on major topics in linguistics and introduce students to fundamental principles of linguistic theory and research. ENG 261 serves as a prerequisite for 300- and 400-level language courses.

F. Approaches to Pedagogy

The courses in this category focus on the teaching of the language arts in English in elementary and secondary schools. The courses introduce students to literatures, concepts, theories, and practices of relevance to the elementary and secondary classrooms.

Language and Literature Emphasis Requirements

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Elective Requirements (27 credits)

Category requirements include:

  • One course each from course categories A-E

Historical requirements include:

  • At least one course on literature before 1700
  • At least one course in 18th or 19th century literature
  • At least one course in 20th or 21st century literature

300-level+ courses include:

  • At least 15 credits of 300-level+ courses in categories A-E, plus at least one 400-level literature course.

Capstone (3 credits):

Total: 39 credits

Elementary Language Arts Education Emphasis Requirements

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Track Requirements (9 credits)

Elective Requirements (18 credits)

  • One course from category A
  • One course from category C
  • One course from category E
  • Two courses from categories A-E
  • One course from category A-F

Capstone (3 credits)

Total: 39 credits

Secondary English Education Emphasis Requirements

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Track Requirements (12 credits)

Elective Requirements (15 credits)

  • One course from category A
  • One course from category B
  • One course from category C
  • One course from category E
  • One course from category A-F

Capstone (3 credits)

Total: 39 credits

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in English Language and Literature

The following schedule assumes that students will consult with an advisor to make appropriate choices in general education courses.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

  • English elective at the 300-level (three courses)
  • English elective at the 300- or 400-level
  • General education Foundations (two courses)
  • General education Issues
  • Electives (three courses)

Year Four

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Elementary Language Arts Education

Year One

Year Two

  • Foreign language 201
  • General education Foundations (three courses)
  • English Department foundation (two courses)
  • Elementary distributed minor (four courses) May double count for general education.
  • PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)

Year Three

Year Four

Year Five

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Secondary English Education

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Year Five

English Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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