English
(Bachelor of Arts)
Courses in English develop students’ understanding of important works of American, English, and world literatures, give them awareness of – and appreciation for – our literary heritage, provide them with historical and theoretical perspectives, and deepen their insight into their own experience. These courses also develop students’ ability to express their ideas orally and in writing and to conduct research. The English program also offers courses in the writing of poetry and fiction, and an emphasis in creative writing.
Students enroll in English classes for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from personal growth and enrichment to preparation for a profession or career. Graduates in English have found employment in teaching, personnel work, public relations, business management, journalism, publishing, and many other fields requiring a strong liberal arts background and communication skills.
Students majoring in English often select minors in Humanistic Studies, Design Arts, or Arts Management, but may choose Human Development, Democracy and Justice Studies, or other appropriate programs. Students majoring in English who wish to teach in the secondary public schools must minor in Education.
Students seeking information on teacher certification should contact the Education Office.
Learning Outcomes
Students in the English major will:- Critically read and interpret diverse literary texts using literary techniques, contextual information, scholarly research, and/or theoretical lenses.
- Create original works that demonstrate a unique voice, argument, and/or point of view and that reflect familiarity with key themes in the broader fields of literary studies and creative writing.
- Understand complex social and historical contexts that have shaped and continue to shape literature.
- Critique the systems of power and privilege that have shaped literature and our relationship to those systems.
- Create, draft, and revise works in multiple genres and forms.
- Analyze the techniques and construction of various written expressions.
- Critique works by peers and published authors alike in various classroom settings, including the writing workshop.
- Situate their work within a larger audience of readers and publishing markets.
Major Area of Emphasis
Students must complete requirements in one of the following areas of emphasis:
- Creative Writing
- English Education
- Literature
Minor
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | 12 | |
Introduction to English Literature I | ||
Literary Studies | ||
Research and Rhetoric 1 | ||
Choose one of the following: | ||
Introduction to Literature | ||
Women in Literature | ||
Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
Introduction to English Literature II | ||
Introduction to American Literature I | ||
Introduction to American Literature II | ||
Multicultural American Literature | ||
Upper-Level Courses | 12 | |
Shakespeare | ||
Choose 9 additional upper-level credits. See list in English major. | ||
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | Satisfied for students with ACT English score of 32 or higher. |
Curriculum Guide
The following is only an example of a four-year English degree program and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult a English program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.
An example: Four year plan for English Major with a Literature Emphasis; Minor in Humanities
120 credits necessary to graduate.
Plan is a representation and categories of classes can be switched. Check with your advisor.
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
HUM STUD 201 | Introduction to the Humanities | 3 |
WF 105 | Research and Rhetoric | 3 |
First Year Seminar | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENGLISH 219 | World Literatures II | 3 |
HISTORY 101 | Foundations of Western Culture I | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall | ||
ENGLISH 214 | Introduction to English Literature I | 3 |
ENGLISH 290 | Literary Studies | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Literature II | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Junior | ||
Fall | ||
ENGLISH 216 or ENGLISH 217 |
Introduction to American Literature I or Introduction to American Literature II |
3 |
ENGLISH 3XX elective | 3 | |
Perspectives Classical course | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENGLISH 331 | Major American Prose Fiction | 3 |
Perspectives Medieval course | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Senior | ||
Fall | ||
ENGLISH 431 | Shakespeare | 3 |
ENGLISH 3XX elective | 3 | |
ENGLISH 3XX elective | 3 | |
HUM STUD 3XX elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENGLISH 340 | History of the English Language | 3 |
HUM STUD 480 | Humanities Seminar | 3 |
ENGLISH 3XX elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Faculty
Rebecca A Meacham; Professor; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
Charles A Rybak; Professor; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, chair
Ann Mattis; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Loyola University
Valerie Murrenus-Pilmaier; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Marquette University
Rebecca L Nesvet; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Jennifer Young; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Julialicia Case; Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
Jonas Gardsby; Assistant Professor; Ph.D.
Kristopher Purzycki; Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee