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 430  History and Structure of 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)
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.

 

 

 

 

 

Course Descriptions – Composition and Linguistics

G-EN 110 College Composition I

3 hours
A course designed to help students develop college-level skills in writing. Required of all entering freshmen. (Fall)

G-EN 111 College Composition II

3 hours
A continuation of G-EN 110, designed to help students develop college-level skills in writing and information literacy with an emphasis on writing from research. Required of all entering freshmen. (Spring)

EN 313 Advanced Expository Writing

3 hours (Language Intensive)
An advanced study and practive of explanatory, persuasive and creative non-fiction. (Spring)

EN 315 Practicum in Journal Production

1-2 hours (students may take the course for as many as 3 credit hours)
Provides hands-on experience with editing, publishing, and marketing a creative arts journal. The fall course focuses on history, literary/genre analysis, context, and markets for literary magazines, content editing processes by genre, development of the individual editorial aesthetic, and copy-editing basics (Chicago style). The spring course focuses specifically on application: the  making and marketing of Inscribe. (Spring)

EN 335 Advanced English Grammar

2 hours
Systematic study of the structure of the English language and a consideration of current theories of analysis. (Spring)

EN 350 Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing

0-1 hour
An introduction to the theory of composition and writing pedagogy and guided practice in responding to student writing. Required of students before or during their first semester as tutors in the college’s Writing Lab. (Every semester, as needed)

EN 351 Practicum in Tutoring Writing

0-1 hour
Experience in reading and responding responsibly to student writing as a tutor in the college’s Writing Lab. Prerequisite: EN 350 Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing. Required of students who tutor in the college’s Writing Lab (except those enrolled in EN 350). (Every semester)

EN 355 Linguistics and History of English

 2 hours
An introductory course in linguistics and the history and development of the English language. Includes some study of families of languages and fundamental differences among languages. (Fall)

EN 375 Junior Seminar

2 hours
A study of literary theory and techniques of literary analysis, both classical and contemporary, and an exploration of careers in English. (Fall)

EN 420 Creative Writing

3 hours
Study and practice in writing original poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. (Drama is an option for those who desire it.) Establishing a writing discipline is emphasized. Upper-level students only unless instructor permission is granted. (Spring, odd years)

Course Descriptions – Literature

G-EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature

3 hours 
A study of masterworks of world literatures, from beginnings through the twentieth century. (Fall)

*G-EN 210L Masterpieces of World Literature

4 hours (Language Intensive)
A study of masterworks of world literatures, from beginnings through the twentieth century. (Fall)

G-EN 220 Contemporary World Literature

3 hours
A study of important contemporary works from various world cultures. (Spring)

*G-EN 220L Contemporary World Literature

4 hours (Language Intensive)
A study of important contemporary works from various world cultures. (Spring)

G-EN 222 Native American Literature

3 hours
A study of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction by Native American writers, with cultural and historical study of the individual tribes
represented by the authors selected. Particular emphasis is given to elements that are significant to Native American writing, including oral tradition, multi-vocal perspective, myth, language loss and the artist’s role in revitalization. (Fall, even years)

G-EN 225 African American Literature

3 hours
A study of African-American writers and works dating from 1920 to the present. (Fall, odd years)

G-EN 235 Selected Topics in Literature

3 hours
A focused study of the literature of a particular group, period, or region. Topics vary. (Fall, Interterm)

EN 250 American Literature I

3 hours
A study of writers and works (including Native American works) dating from European explorations of the New World to 1865.  (Fall, even years)

G-EN 255 American Literature II

3 hours
A study of writers and works dating from 1865 to the present. Effort is made to fairly represent works by Native Americans and American minorities.  (Spring, odd years)

*G-EN 255L American Literature II

4 hours (Language Intensive)
A study of writers and works dating from 1865 to the present. Effort is made to fairly represent works by Native Americans and American minorities. Language- intensive if taken for 4 credit hours. (Spring, odd years)

G-EN 270 Fiction

3 hours
An introduction to the elements of fiction and the historical development of the genre. Emphasis is upon development of critical reading skills. Writing of short fiction is also required. (Fall, odd years)

*G-EN 270L Fiction

4 hours (Language Intensive)
An introduction to the elements of fiction and the historical development of the genre. Emphasis is upon development of critical reading skills. Writing of short fiction is also required. Language-intensive only if taken for 4 credit hours. (Fall, odd years)

EN 300 Survey of British Literature

       3 hours
A study of major writers and works from the earliest times through the 20th century. (Fall, odd years)

EN 320 Young Adult Literature

2 hours
A review of the literature and themes appealing to young adults. The course includes selection and evaluation of literature and methods of presenting literature to young adults. Designed for educators. (Spring, odd years)

G-EN 370 Poetry

3 hours
A study of poets and poetic techniques. Some writing of poetry required. (Spring, odd years)

*G-EN 370L Poetry

4 hours (Language Intensive)
A study of poets and poetic techniques. Some writing of poetry required. (Spring, odd years)

EN 375 Junior Seminar in English

1 hour
A study of literary theory and techniques of literary analysis, both classical and contemporary with some exploration of careers in English. (Fall)

EN 445 Readings and Research in English

1-4 hours
Special research and intensive reading on special topics, genres, movements. Open only to students with 12 hours of course work or more in English. (by appointment only)

EN 475A Seminar in English

1 hour
The first half of the capstone course for English majors. Students will produce a major critical project demonstrating competencies in speech, writing, and information literacy. Completing a creative thesis is an option, but requires an application and faculty approval.  Students may enroll for the course spring, interterm, or fall during the senior year, but fall is recommended.

EN 475B Seminar in English

1 hour (Language Intensive)
A continuation of the senior project; students must complete both A and B. Students may enroll for the course spring, interterm, or fall during the senior year.

Special Course Options
295/495 Field Experience (1-4 hours)
297  Study Abroad (12-16 hours)
299/499 Independent Study (1-4 hours)
388 Career Connections (3-10 hours)
445 Readings and Research (1-4 hours)