English Program - McPherson College Catalogs

Purpose Statement

The English department commits itself to developing graduates who can read critically and communicate effectively and who understand the changing nature of language.

The department achieves this purpose when its graduates

- demonstrate an ability to accomplish various purposes through effective communication–oral, written, and electronic;
- demonstrate an understanding of ways in which aspects of culture such as history, religion and social norms are reflected in literature;
- demonstrate an ability to analyze literary texts;

demonstrate a knowledge of research tools and strategies, especially in literature, and the critical and ethical use of appropriate documentation;
demonstrate knowledge of the structure of English, of the Standard American dialect, of both traditional and modern grammars, and of the nature of language.

English Major

Requirements

I. Complete the following courses:

G-EN 222 Native American Literature (3 hours) OR
G-EN 225 African American Literature (3 hours) OR
G-EN 235 Topics in Literature: Borderland: Literature of the U.S./Mexican Border (3 hours)
EN 250 American Literature I (3 hours)
*G-EN 255 American Literature II (3 hours)
EN 300 Survey of British Literature (3 hours)
*EN 313 Advanced Expository Writing (3 hours)
EN 335 Advanced English Grammar (2 hours)
EN 355 Linguistics and History of English (2 hours)
EN 375 Junior Seminar in English (2 hours)
EN 475A Seminar in English (1 hour)
*EN 475B Seminar in English (1 hour)
*G-EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature, OR
*G-EN 220 Contemporary World Literature (3 hours)
G-EN 270 Fiction (3 hours), OR
G-EN 370 Poetry (3 hours), OR
EN 420 Creative Writing (3 hours)
EN 388 Internship (3 hours) OR an approved equivalent experience

II. Complete 7 elective hours in English. These may include additional hours in English and American literature, as well as the following courses:

G-CM 120 Intro. to Human Communication (3 hours)
CM 135 Media Writing (3 hours)
G-EN 222 Native American Literature (3 hours)
G-EN 225 African American Literature (3 hours)
EN 315 Practicum in Journal Production (1-2 hours)
CM 305  Editing (3 hours)
*G-EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature (3-4 hours)
*G-EN 220 Contemporary World Literature (3-4 hours)
G-EN 235 Topics in Literature (3 hours) (may be taken more than once if topic differs)
EN 320  Young Adult Literature (2 hours)
EN 350  Theory & Practice of Tutoring Writing (1 hour)
*G-EN 370 Poetry (3-4 hours)
*G-EN 270 Fiction (3-4 hours)
*G-PA 385 Performing Arts History & Literature I or
*G-PA 390 Performing Arts History & Literature II (3 hours)
EN 420  Creative Writing (3 hours)
EN 445  Readings and Research in English (2-4 hours)

III. Complete the following supporting courses

Communication courses (3 hours)
Spanish Level II, or the equivalent in some natural language

Requirements for teaching licensure (6-12) in English

I. Complete the following courses:

G-EN 222 Native American Literature (3 hours) OR
G-EN 225 African American Literature (3 hours) OR
G-EN 235 Topics in Literature: Borderland: Literature of the U.S./Mexican Border
EN 335  Advanced English Grammar (2 hours)
EN 320  Young Adult Literature (2 hours)
EN 350 A Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing (1 hours)
EN 355 Linguistics and History of English (2 hours)
*G-EN 370 Poetry (3 hours), OR
*G-EN 270 Fiction (3 hours), OR
EN 420 Creative Writing (3 hours)
*G-EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature, or
*G-EN 220 Contemporary World Literature (3 hours)
EN 250 American Literature I (3 hours)
*G-EN 255  American Literature II (3 hours)
EN 300 Survey of British Literature (3 hours)
*EN 313  Advanced Expository Writing (3 hours)
EN 375  Junior Seminar in English (1 hour)
EN 475A Seminar in English (1 hour)
*EN 475B   Seminar in English (1 hour)

II. Complete the following supporting courses:

CM 135 Media Writing (3 hours)
G-ML 109 Spanish Level II, or the equivalent in some natural language (3 hours)
CI 417 Methods for Teaching English and Language Arts in the Secondary School (3 hours)

Other courses required by the Curriculum & Instruction Department for licensure.

Students must take the Praxis II examination: English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge.

Competency Exam

Students who plan to major in English must pass a writing competency exam. This exam will be offered in the fall semester. Transfer students will take the exam early in their first semester at the college. Students who fail the exam may re-take it after participating in guided study and practice of writing.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (6-12) Endorsement

Requirements

Same professional education requirements as for 7-12 endorsement in other fields, plus:

G-CI 333  Intercultural Education Seminar (2 hours)
EN 335  Advanced English Grammar (2 hours)
EN 355 Linguistics and History of English (2 hours)
G-SO 202 Minorities in the U.S. (3-4 hours)
CI 428  Methods for Teaching English as a Second Language (3 hours)
CI 475  Student Teaching/Practicum (6-12 hours)
CI 476  Professional Seminar in Education (2 hours)

Student teaching/practicum is to include ESL experience; for those already certified, student teaching/practicum is four credit hours.

Note: Non-native speakers of English must contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction regarding proficiency requirements.

English Minor

A minor in English consists of 18 hours of courses with an EN prefix chosen from the list of courses in the English major and must include courses in both literature and writing (or grammar/linguistics). G-EN 110 and G-EN 111 do not count as part of the 18 hours for the minor.

Minor in Writing

This minor is available to students majoring in any area. No more than six hours can be counted also as requirements for the student’s major. Senior project courses are available only to students majoring in the relevant subject. Students using the senior project to complete the minor are advised to consult with the senior project director.

Select 18 cr. hrs from the following:

G-EE 210 Children’s Literature (3 hours)
EE 303 Reading Language Arts I (3 hours)
CI445 Teaching Learning Process (3 hours)
CM 135 Media Writing (3 hours)
CM 305 Editing (3 hours)
CM 315 A & B Journalism Practica (1–3 hours)
CM 475 A Sr. Seminar in Communication Research (2 hours)
CM 475 B Sr. Project in Communication (1 hour)
G-EN 270 Fiction (3 hours)
EN 313 Advanced Expository Writing (3 hours)
EN 315 Practicum in Journal Production (1–4 hours)
G-EN 370 Poetry (3 hours)
EN 420 Creative Writing (3 hours)
G-PR 106L Spiritual Pathways (3 hours)
PR 431 Topics in Religious & Theological Studies (3 hours)
PR 432 Topics in Philosophy (3 hours)
EN 475 A & B Seminar in English (2 hours)
G-HI 236 Topics in Social History (3 hours)
G-HI 237 Topics in Political History (3 hours)
HI/PS 475 Senior Thesis (3 hours)
NS 475 Senior Research (2 hours)
SO/PY 475 Senior Seminar/Thesis (2 hours)

In consultation with the course instructor, a student may propose to English faculty a course or practicum experience not listed here as an option for the writing minor. To count for the minor, the writing experience must be an individual, rather than a group, project.