The English Literature Major

Literature, a central means of communicating experience, can also be a route for the discovery and realization of the self. The English major and minor, designed to promote understanding of how meaning is conveyed through the writer’s shaping of ideas and feelings, emphasizes the fact that literature incorporates other disciplines, especially philosophical, psychological, cross-cultural, and historical studies. In interactive group discussions, majors become aware of their own and others’ critical premises and responses. Climaxing with its capstone senior thesis experience, this integrative, student-centered program enhances individual excellence. Through close analysis of literary texts, research, and critical writing, English literature majors achieve the high level of literacy that marks the well-educated man and woman, master sophisticated analytical skills prerequisite to success in both personal and professional life, and deepen their understanding of the world in which they live.

Degree Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in English must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210 . In addition, majors must complete the following 13 courses as specified and sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives taken outside the major toward a minor or second major.

ENG             100               An Introduction to Literature
ENG             110               Serpents, Swords, and Symbols
ENG             210               Myth, Fantasy, and the Imagination
ENG             240               American Literature I
ENG             260               American Literature II
ENG             270               British Literature I
ENG             290               British Literature II
ENG             310               Literary Analysis
ENG             350               Shakespeare
ENG             480               Senior Seminar I
ENG             481               Senior Seminar II
and a minimum of two additional 300-level or above English electives

Note: Although only two courses at the 300 – level or above are required for graduation, majors are strongly advised to expand their breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, especially if they are considering graduate school. The department highly recommeds that majors elect at least one or two additional upper – level English courses.

The English Literature/Secondary Education Dual Major

Majors pursuing a dual major in English and secondary education must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements, and the College speech requirement, COMM 210 ,all secondary education requirements, the following 13 courses as specified and sufficient electives to total 120 credits.

ENG             100               An Introduction to Literature
ENG             110               Serpents, Swords, and Symbols
ENG             210               Myth, Fantasy, and the Imagination
ENG             240               American Literature I
ENG             260               American Literature II
ENG             270               British Literature I
ENG             290               British Literature II
ENG             310               Literary Analysis
ENG             350               Shakespeare
ENG             480               Senior Seminar I
ENG             481               Senior Seminar II
and a minimum of two electives selected from the following:
ENG             300               British Literature III
ENG             301               American Literature III
ENG             320               Continental Literature
ENG             360               Race, Gender, and Class in Literature
ENG             430               Special Topics in Literature

The English Literature Minor

Note: All courses also fulfill the Core Concentration.

ENG             100                An Introduction to Literature
ENG             110                Serpents, Swords, and Symbols
ENG             210                Myth, Fantasy, and the Imagination
and either two of the following three:
ENG             240               American Literature I
ENG             260               American Literature II
ENG             301               American Literature III
or two of the following three:
ENG             270               British Literature I
ENG             290               British Literature II
ENG             300               British Literature III
and
ENG             350                Shakespeare

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL courses are designed for those students whose native language is not English and who need to gain and/or improve proficiency in English. Courses are provided at four levels of instruction: elementary, intermediate, high intermediate and advanced. Students should enroll for three classes (listening/speaking, reading, and composition) at the level determined by placement test performance. Note: In the summer, three levels of instruction are offered: beginning, intermediate and advanced.