Bachelor of Arts in English

Mission

The members of the English and Theatre Department are committed to preparing our majors for the future as well read, critical and creative thinkers and communicators ready to lead and to serve in a variety of professional careers. Putting knowledge to practice, students choose an internship, student teaching, or a research/performance project for junior or senior year to equip them with practical experience and relevant credentials before graduation.

Goals

Provide students with:

• Knowledge of literatures in English
• Genre comprehension skills
• Effective argument skills
• Comprehension of theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts
• Analytical skills: insight, integrating concepts, grappling with topic

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of literatures in English
• Display genre comprehension
• Demonstrate effective argument
• Display comprehension of theoretical, cultural, and historical context
• Demonstrate analytical skills: insight, integrating concepts, grappling with topic

English Major: Requirements

• EN 211 Introduction to Literary Studies
• EN 311 or EN 312 Shakespeare
• EN 223 Rhetoric
• Two seminars:
    • EN 302B Junior Seminar — Criticism and Theory
    • EN 401A or 401B Senior Seminar
• Two courses in British literature prior to 1700:
    • EN 206 Major British Writers I
    • One elective
• Two courses in British literature after 1700:
    • EN 206 Major British Writers II
    • One elective
• Two courses in American literature (one after 1850):
    • EN 305 Major American Writers I
    • One elective
• One world literature course
• Internship

Requirements for the English Minor
(18 semester hours)

• EN 211 Introduction to Literary Studies (or a designated 200-level literature course)
• One upper-level seminar
• Four additional courses offered by the department, with approval by a departmental faculty member

Education Concentration

Students interested in teaching will combine a major in English with a core of education courses, including student teaching. Licensure by the State Department of Education requires certain courses and areas be covered in the major.

• EN 211 Introduction to Literary Studies
• EN 311 or EN 312 Shakespeare
• EN 223 Rhetoric
• Two seminars:
    • EN 302A Junior Seminar — Criticism and Theory
    • EN 401A or 401B Senior Seminar
• Two courses in British literature before 1700:
    • EN 205 Major British Writers I
    • EN 207 Chaucer or EN 222 King Arthur & Chivalric Tradition
• Two courses in British literature after 1700:
    • EN 206 Major British Writers II
    • One elective
• Two courses in American literature:
    • EN 305 Major American Writers I (before 1850)
    • EN 305A Major American Writers II (after 1850)
• One world literature course
• Internship — Student Teaching serves the internship requirement but would not be given English Department credit.

Writing Concentration

Students interested in concentrating in writing will take a combination of six writing courses and six literature courses. An internship is required.

• EN 211 Introduction to Literary Studies
• EN 223 Rhetoric
• Two seminars:
    • EN 302A Junior Seminar — Criticism and Theory
    • EN 401A or 401B Senior Seminar
• Three literature courses:
    • Two British and American
    • One world literature course
• Writing Courses:
    • Three courses on the 200 level
    • Two upper level courses
• Internship

Drama Concentration

The Drama Concentration includes both the study of dramatic literature and literature originating from the oral tradition as well as other major literary works from the beginning to the present.

• TH 203 Introduction to Theatre
• EN 211 Introduction to Literary Studies
• EN 311A or 312A Shakespeare
• TH 216 World Theatre in Its Context
• TH 401 Production Styles
• Two seminars:
    • EN 302A Junior Seminar — Criticism and Theory
    • EN 401A or 401B Senior Seminar
• Literature electives:
    • Two courses in American Literature
    • Two courses in British Literature
• Any two courses from the following:
    • TH206 Women in Theatre
    • TH208 Musical Theatre
    • TH303 Theatre for Young Audiences
    • Study Abroad: Topics in Literature and Theatre
    • TH308 Playwriting
    • TH311 Oral History and Performance
    • EN311A or EN312A Shakespeare
    • EN320 Modern Drama
    • TH320 Special Topics (if applicable)
• Internship