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2012-2013 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. (This requirement is known as the B.A. cognate. 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: 200 level (9 credits):

Requirements for the Emphases

All English majors will choose one of the following emphases: language and literature, elementary language arts education, or secondary English education. Each emphasis requires different options from the six course categories below:

Course Categories

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 themes.

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

  • One course each from course categories A-E

Historical Requirements

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

300-Level+ Courses

  • At least 15 credits of 300-level+ courses in categories A-E

Capstone:

Total Hours: 39

Teaching Emphases

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:

Total: 39 credits

Secondary English Education Emphasis Requirements:

Foundation Courses (9 credits):

Track Requirements (9 credits):

Elective Requirements (18 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:

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.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

  • ENG elective (category B)
  • ENG elective (category C)
  • ENG elective (category D)
  • ENG elective (category E)
  • Two general education cultural designation courses

Fourth Year

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

First Year

Second Year

  • Foreign Language 201
  • Three general education foundation courses
  • Two English Department foundation courses
  • Four courses in elementary distributed minor (may both double count for general education)
  • PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)

Third Year

Fourth Year

Fifth Year

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Secondary English Education

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Fifth Year

English Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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