English

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The program of the Department of English is designed to meet the needs of students who want to pursue the study of English literature and students who want to develop their skills in creative or expository writing. The two strands are closely related and complement each other fully.

About The Program

Literature enables readers imaginatively to enter and share the stories, feelings and experiences of other persons. It presents, with beauty and power, perennial human situations and issues -problems of identity, purpose, relationship and meaning. The study of literature helps students expand their appreciation and understanding of literary works and their knowledge of the literary world.

The English, BA  major is designed for students interested in graduate school in literature or careers in such fields as editing and publishing, government service, librarianship, business, law and ministry, as well as students who just love books and want to improve their skills in reading and interpretation.

The study of creative writing enables students to view writing as a process of seeing and re-seeing the world. It helps them learn to value and express their own stories, to reflect on their lives and to believe they have something of use to put into words. The English, Creative Writing Emphasis, BA  is designed for students interested in graduate school in creative writing or careers in such fields as editing and publishing, government service, librarianship, business, law and ministry, as well as for students who simply enjoy writing creatively and want to develop their skills further.

While the curriculum provides majors who wish to teach or attend graduate school the specialized courses they need, it also seeks to meet the needs of all students pursuing the broad aims of a liberal education. Courses in literature and writing help develop students’ abilities to read, to think and to express themselves logically, coherently and imaginatively.

Our courses are structured around three areas of focus: thematic, survey, and author. They are taught at both the 100 and 200 levels. 

Courses at the upper level in literature have been structured around four areas of study of literature: Early, British, American, and Ethnic & Diaspora.

Majors

Students considering an English major should consult with the department chairperson or another faculty member in the department before beginning to take English classes for help in deciding about the most appropriate course selections. Students preparing for careers in education should see the English Education, BA  or the Education  department page for detailed interpretation of major requirements for teacher certification.

Programs

• English Education, BA
• English, BA
• English, Creative Writing Emphasis, BA

• English Minor
• English, Creative Writing Minor
• English, Professional Writing Minor

Courses

• ENGL 102 - English for Non-Native Speakers II
• ENGL 113 - Expository Writing I
• ENGL 153 - Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGL 154 - Story Writing for Beginners
• ENGL 155 - Poetry Writing for Beginners
• ENGL 156 - Creative Writing for Beginners: Additional Genres
• ENGL 158 - Nonfiction Writing for Beginners: Memoir
• ENGL 213 - Writing Theory and Practice
• ENGL 214 - Workplace Writing
• ENGL 222 - Standard American English Grammar
• ENGL 240 - Topics in Professional Writing
• ENGL 254 - Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction
• ENGL 255 - Intermediate Creative Writing: Poems
• ENGL 256 - Intermediate Creative Writing: Additional Genres
• ENGL 258 - Intermediate Creative Writing: Nonfiction
• ENGL 340 - Advanced Business Writing
• ENGL 354 - Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction
• ENGL 355 - Advanced Creative Writing: Poems
• ENGL 356 - Advanced Creative Writing: Additional Genres
• ENGL 358 - Advanced Creative Writing: Nonfiction
• ENGL 401 - Creative Writing Capstone

• ENGL 100V - Introductory Themes in Literature: Empires of the World and Mind
• ENGL 110 - English Literature Themes
• ENGL 130 - Survey of English Literature I
• ENGL 160 - English Literature Authors I
• ENGL 210 - English Literature Themes II
• ENGL 220 - The Roots of English
• ENGL 224 - Introduction to Literary Theory
• ENGL 230 - Survey of English Literature II
• ENGL 260 - English Literature Authors II
• ENGL 310 - Medieval Literature
• ENGL 311 - Shakespeare
• ENGL 313 - Global Shakespeares
• ENGL 315 - 17th, 18th and Early 19th Century British and American Literature
• ENGL 330 - African/Caribbean Literature
• ENGL 331 - Latinx American Literature
• ENGL 335 - African American Literature
• ENGL 337 - Asian American Literature
• ENGL 370 - Authors/Works/Genres Literature
• ENGL 372 - British Literature Survey
• ENGL 374 - American Literature Survey
• ENGL 400 - Literature Capstone

• ENGL 380 - Teaching of Secondary School English
• ENGL 381 - Teaching of English in the Secondary Schools Clinical Experience

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