College of Arts and Sciences
English
Professor Verbie L. Prevost, Head
The English Department offers programs leading to the B.A. in English with concentrations in literary studies and writing, along with course work toward the B.S. in the teaching of English in the secondary school (see the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies). Regardless of focus, the major in English emphasizes the critical study of language, literature, and rhetoric, and the writing of a wide variety of texts for diverse situations and audiences. Through reading, interpreting, and criticizing texts, the student has multiple opportunities to explore and participate in the tradition of using language to embody human experience. The variety of writing experiences available within the department allows students to reach an advanced level of competence in the use of language and those intellectual skills which support a variety of career options and professional choices. The major in English provides an essential and versatile education for both life and work.
1260 - English and American Language and Literature (B.A.)
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: English 121, 122 (6 hours)
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours)
- Statistics: One approved statistics course (3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses, one from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses in two different disciplines (6 hours)
- Foreign Language: Through second college year in one foreign language
- Completion of a minor with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Major and Related Courses
- A minimum of 39 hours English in addition to general education requirements with at least 12 hours at the 200 level, including English 201, 202, 205, 206;
- At least 27 hours at the 300-400 level including English 307, 361; and one course from 443r, 445r, 446r, 447r;
- Additional 300-400 level English courses
to total at least 27 upper-level hours.
- 2.0 average in all English courses (excluding English 121 and 122)
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
Additional requirements.
For teacher certification see College
of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
1261 - English and American Language and Literature: Writing (B.A.)
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: English 121, 122 (6 hours)
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours)
- Statistics: One approved statistics course (3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses, one from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses in two different disciplines (6 hours)
- Foreign Language: Through second college year in one foreign language.
- Completion of a minor with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Major and Related Courses
- A minimum of 39 hours English in addition to general education requirements including English 201, 202, 205, 206, 307, 361 and one course from 446r or 447r;
- 12 hours of major course work chosen from the following writing courses: English 270, 277, 278, 279, 300, 375r, 376r, 410, 446r, 447r, 471r, 473, 479 and 495r. Communication 230 and 363 may also be used to satisfy course work in the writing concentration.
- Additional 300-400 level English courses
to total at least 27 upper-level hours.
- 2.0 average in all English courses (excluding English 121 and 122)
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
ENGLISH MINORS
4552 - English: Literature
21 hours including 113, 133, 207, one (1) course from English 211, 212, 213, 214
and three (3) from 300-400 level literature courses with one (1) course before 1800 and one (1) course after 1800 in American or English literature, and one (1) elective 300-400 level course in literature or writing to be chosen in conjunction with an academic advisor.
Minimum 2.0 average in the minor.
4553 - English: Writing
21 hours including 15 hours in writing courses and 6 hours elective courses at the 300 level or above, all to be chosen in conjunction with an academic advisor. Professional writing courses include: 277 or 278, 279, 300, 410, 471r. Creative writing (fiction or poetry) courses include: 270, 375r, 376r, 471r. The 15 hours may be achieved in any combination of professional and creative courses. The remaining six hours may be in writing or literature courses. At least 9 hours must be at the 300 level or above.
Minimum 2.0 average in the minor.
ENGLISH COURSES (ENGL)
105 Developmental Writing I (3 hours of institutional credit)
Review of standard language forms. Requires extensive practice in the writing of sentences and paragraphs as well as in the practice of editing for proper punctuation and accurate grammatical structure. Every semester. Credit not applicable toward any degree. Prerequisite: Placement required.
106 Developmental Writing II (3 hours of institutional credit)
Emphasis on developing ideas and organizing them into coherent paragraphs while using standard language forms. Requires extensive practice in writing paragraphs and short essays. Every semester. Credit not applicable toward any degree. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in English 105 or placement.
113 Western Humanities I (3)
A historical approach to the pivotal ideas, systems of thought, and creations of the Western world from antiquity to approximately 1600 C.E. Emphasis on matters of literary structure, style, and content. Corequisite: English 121.
115 Western Humanities II (3)
A historical approach to the pivotal ideas, systems of thought, and creations of the Western world from approximately 1600 C.E. to the present. Emphasis on matters of literary structure, style, and content. Prerequisite: English 121; Corequisite: English 122.
121 Rhetoric and Composition (3)
The principles and practice of effective reading and writing. Frequent themes, exercises, selected readings. Attention to individual problems of grammar and usage. Formerly English 101. Every semester. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in English 106 or placement. In rare instances exemption from English 121 may be recommended by the department.
122 Rhetoric and Composition (3)
Review of competencies stressed in English 121 with emphasis on the extended essay; use of research matter in writing; attention to diction, figurative and symbolic language, relationship of style and meaning. Formerly English 102. Every semester. Prerequisite: English 121 with grade of C or better or placement.
131 Values in 20th-Century American Fiction (3)
A study of contemporary values as reflected in selected twentieth century American novels and short stories from World War I to the present. Formerly English 111. On demand.
133 Introduction to Literature (3)
Readings from poetry, fiction, and drama to demonstrate how the writer selects from ideas, experience, and language and combines these elements to speak of and to the human condition. Formerly English 103. Fall and spring semesters.
161 English as a Foreign Language I (3)
The first of two sequential courses in ESL, this course offers nonnative speakers intensive practice in reading, writing and the more difficult points of English usage. Required during the first term of residence of all students who are non-native speakers of English and who are placed in the course on the basis of the English department’s writing proficiency examination that must be completed before registration by all nonnative speakers of English. Fall semester.
