English

The English major promotes interrogation, analysis, and evaluation of a wide range of authors, characters, themes, plots, and styles in world literature. By studying and applying literary criticism, students learn to appreciate the power of written language and the ways in which literature articulates and reflects social, political, and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to relate literary insights to their own lives as they become sensitive and ethical problem-solvers. Students reflect on their values and, ideally, discover something about what it means to be a socially responsible citizen. They are exposed to varied worldviews that help them to value diversity and to consider the opinions of others. Students learn to identify the techniques of professional writers, inculcate habits of critical thinking, and discover their own voices and styles through the written word. Literary studies are therefore crucial to a liberal arts curriculum both in the development of a student’s expressive abilities and the cultivation of intellectual inquiry. Graduates may deploy their acquired talents in a broad range of careers in law, journalism, advertising, public relations, publishing, communications, library science, technical writing, government, business, and education.

Degree Requirements

SPECIAL NOTE: All English courses require the style guidelines for written assignments established by the Modern Language Association of America, or what is commonly referred to as MLA style. The American Psychological Association, or APA guidelines for published works are “not” used in English courses listed below.

Survey Courses

ENG 26023FROM HOMER TO HERRICK

ENG 27023FROM VOLTAIRE TO VICTORIA

ENG 28023FROM WILDE TO WEILIN

Linguistics Course

ENG 32523THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Seminar Courses

Choose two from the following:

ENG 41823SHAKESPEARE SEMINAR

OR

ENG 45123SEMINAR IN BRITISH LITERATURE

ENG 45023SEMINAR: AMERICAN LITERATURE

Introductory Course

Choose one from the following:

ENG 10223CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

ENG 10323INTRO TO LITERATURE AND FILM

Writing Course

Choose one from the following:

ENG 31023ADVANCED EXPOSITORY WRITING

ENG 32723CREATIVE WRITING

Theme-Based Courses

Choose three from the following:

ENG 31723MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE

ENG 33523ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE

ENG 34023PROTEST LITERATURE

ENG 36023PEACE LITERATURE

ENG 37023LITERATURE OF PERSONAL DISCOVERY

ENG 40123LITERARY CRITICISM