English, Bachelor of Arts
The BA in English provides students with foundational knowledge in literature, writing and practice, critical thinking, literary theory, culture and diversity, and the power of language that will empower them to innovate, communicate, and discover the necessary skills to thrive in their professional career paths and serve their community.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.A. in English program, students will:
- Demonstrate and apply traditional and contemporary knowledge in cultural contexts.
- Conduct, analyze, evaluate, and integrate academic research and theory.
- Construct and deconstruct arguments using a range of rhetorical strategies.
- Utilize innovative creative, technological, and literacy skills to foster career and community growth.
Outcomes Assessment Activities
Assessment of the English program is the responsibility of all English Program faculty. The English Program’s annual reports evaluating the program and proposing any needed changes are compiled from the following information:
- A central file of course syllabi with representative assignments is maintained by the department for inspection by the committee and other qualified persons.
- All English majors begin the program with ENG 201 Introduction to Literary Theory (3 c.h.) which establishes the emphasized professional standards and the writing and analytical skills students will have acquire in the program. All students in ENG 201 write a final paper, one copy of which is submitted to the department chairperson or committee for assessment.
- All English majors take ENG 493 Senior Seminar (3 c.h.) emphasizing professional standards and synthesizing the writing and analytical skills students have acquired in other English classes. All students in ENG 493 write a senior research paper, one copy of which is submitted to the department chairperson for dissemination for review. In order to pass ENG 493, students must demonstrate satisfactory levels of achievement in meeting the program goals.
- English Program faculty review the papers from ENG 201 and ENG 493 on an annual basis and prepare an analysis of what they reveal about the program's success.
- The English Program administers a student-satisfaction questionnaire to all senior English majors each year. Similar questionnaires are sent to recent graduates and representative employers on a periodic basis.
- The English Program faculty consider the English curricula at leading comparable institutions and apprise the department of innovations worthy of consideration.
Specific Program Requirements
- Students should consult with an advisor in English prior to registration.
- All major courses must be completed with a C or better.
- Students must fulfill the University foreign language requirements for the BA degree: first year world language (6-8 credit hours), or ENG 106 & WL 100, or ASL 101 & ASL 102. International students are still required to complete the language requirements.
- For teaching endorsement requirements, see the Teacher Education Program section.
Specific Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses Select two courses: | 18 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing (GT-AH1) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literary Theory | 3 | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Advanced Creative Writing Workshop | 3 | |
| Literary Criticism and Theory | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Select two courses: | 6 | |
| Gender & Communication | 3 | |
| Language, Thought and Culture | 3 | |
| Survey of Chicano Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 | |
| Multi-Ethnic American Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 | |
| Women in Literature | 3 | |
| Development & Impact Select two courses; one MUST be CID 350. | 6 | |
| Communicating in Professions | 3 | |
| Intro Tech Prof Writing GT-CO2 | 3 | |
| Intro. Scientific/Medical Writing (GT-CO2) | 3 | |
| Professional Editing | 3 | |
| Magazine Editing and Production | 3 | |
| Research | 3 | |
| Literature in Historical Perspective Select one set of courses and one 300-level course. | 9 | |
| American Literature I and American Literature II | 6 | |
| Masterpieces of Literature I (GT-AH2) and Masterpieces of Literature II (GT-AH2) | 6 | |
| Literature of England I and Literature of England II | 6 | |
| Contemporary Literature | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives in American Literature | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives in Western Literature | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives in Non-Western Literature | 3 | |
| Major Writers Select two courses; one MUST be ENG 481. | 6 | |
| Chaucer and His Age | 3 | |
| Shakespeare | 3 | |
| Studies in Major Writers | 3 | |
| Writing & Practice Select three courses: | 9 | |
| Literary Forms & Genres | 3 | |
| Creative Writing: Poetry | 3 | |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | 3 | |
| Creative Nonfiction | 3 | |
| Creative Writing: Drama | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 54 | |
Specific Co-Curricular Requirements
The English faculty supports and encourages English majors’ involvement in student organizations and participation in tutoring activities in the community and on campus.
- Faculty advisors meet individually with each of their students on a regular basis to help plan schedules and discuss educational and career goals. Advisors maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of each student’s progress towards completion of the requirements for the major.
- All English majors will participate in a senior-year seminar in which all of the writing and analytical skills acquired in other English classes will be synthesized. Students in the class will be expected to complete a senior research project.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
Note: In addition to requirements for the major and general education, students must complete either:
- Any minor degree program listed in the catalog other than their major; or
- 18 credit hours outside of the major.
Students may not use the same credits to satisfy requirements for both major and minor degrees, or use credits taken to satisfy general education requirements.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| CID 350 | Communicating in Professions | 3 |
| General Education | 10 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| General Education | 13 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 201 | Introduction to Literary Theory | 3 |
| ENG 204 | Introduction to Rhetoric | 3 |
| General Education | 6 | |
| Elective 3 credits must be first sequence in English Historical Perspective. 3 credits must must be outside the major. | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective 3 credits must be second sequence in English Historical Perspective. 6 credits must work toward fulfilling English Writing & Practice, Major Writers, or Culture & Diversity requirements. 5 credits must must be outside the major. | 14 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 481 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 485 | Literary Criticism and Theory | 3 |
| Elective 3 credits must be ENG upper division. 6 credits must be outside the major. | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 484 or ENG 441 |
Studies in Major Writers or Chaucer and His Age |
3 |
| Elective 9 credits must be ENG upper division and working toward fulfilling English Writing & Practice, Major Writers, or Culture & Diversity requirements. 3 credits must be outside the major. | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective 6 credits must be ENG upper division; 3 credits must be English Historical Perspective. 6 credits must be upper division and outside the major. | 16 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 493 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Elective 6 credits must be upper division. | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |