English

Part of the Languages and Literature Division

The Major in Literature in English or the Major in Writing/Communication are recommended for a variety of careers. The skills emphasized in organized thinking, writing, and research prepare the student not only for teaching and for the many branches of editing and publishing but also for other professions such as law, librarianship, and the ministry. These same skills are in demand in business and industry, where leadership positions go to those who can think logically and express themselves clearly.

Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

Knowledge

  1. Familiarity with major authors and works from all the major periods of Western literature
  2. Knowledge of Western literary history and the continuity of its traditions
  3. Familiarity with historical, cultural, political, and philosophical events and movements which have had a bearing on the development of those literatures and their interpretation
  4. Knowledge of various schools of literary criticism
  5. Knowledge of literary terminology
  6. Knowledge of the history of the English language and of basic linguistic principles
  7. Awareness of literary style and its development in various periods

 Skills

  1. Ability to read with discernment—to analyze and interpret form, structure, and style in expository writing and in various genres of literature
  2. Ability to write with clarity, conciseness, appropriate organization, and a level of usage and style suitable for the intended audience
  3. Ability to carry on independent research, using both paper and electronic sources
  4. Ability to show confident and articulate oral expression and to listen with discernment

 Attitudes

  1. Reverence for language, both written and oral, as the predominant medium for passage out of self and toward other; awareness of the significance of language as a key to entering other cultures
  2. Respect for literature as the indispensable means of recording feeling, perception, truth, opinion, and private experience
  3. Appreciation of the insights into human nature that literature provides
  4. Tolerance for a broad range of ideas and cultural diversity, as well as a willingness to engage that diversity intellectually
  5. A readiness to analyze written and oral expression and a willingness to question our own assumptions and responses
  6. Respect for cultural difference as it is manifested in literary style
  7. Respect for the conventions and traditions of form, theme, meaning and symbol as essential to literature
  8. Awareness of the features that distinguish works of lasting value from the ephemeral

The Major in Literature in English requires a minimum of 49 hours, including 39 hours in English and 10 hours in related fields. Required courses include:

    ENG 162: Interpreting Literature (3 hrs.)
    ENG 311: History of the English Language (3 hrs.)
    ENG 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
    HUM 201: Perspectives in the Humanities (3 hrs.)
    HUM 347: Research and Professional Issues (1 hr.)
    Either of the following courses:
        ENG 221: American Literature: Puritan through Romantic (3 hrs.)
        or
        ENG 242: Survey of British Literature II (3 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        ENG 222: American Literature:  Realism to the Present (3 hrs.)
        or
        ENG 241: Survey of British Literature I (3 hrs.)
    One course from the following list:
        ENG 331: Chaucer in Middle English (3 hrs.)
        ENG 333: English Literature of the 17th Century (3 hrs.)
        ENG 334: English Literature of the Restoration and 18th Century (3 hrs.)
    One course from the following list:
        ENG 332: Shakespeare (3 hrs.)
        ENG 335: English Literature of the 19th Century (3 hrs.)
        ENG 336: British and American Literature of the 29th Century (3 hrs.)
    An additional course in literature at the 300-level.
    Two courses chosen from the following list:
        HIS 111: Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 hrs.)
        HIS 112: History of the United States in the 19th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 203: History of the United States in the 20th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 242: World Civilization from Earliest Times to 1500 C.E. (3 hrs.)
        HIS 243: World Civilization from 1500 C.E. to the 20th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 248: Appalachian Cultural and Social History (3 hrs.)
        HIS 321: Studies in Modern European History (3 hrs.)
        HIS 342: Studies in Pre-Modern History (3 hrs.)
        REL 344: Explorations in Biblical Studies (3 hrs.)
        PHL 205: Early Modern Philosophy from 16th to the 18th Century (3 hrs.)
        PHL 206: Enlightenment & Late Modern Philosophy 18th-20th Century (3 hrs.)
        PHL 207: Contemporary Philosophy (3 hrs.)
    The additional hours are to be selected from catalogue offerings under English, excludingthe following which primarily serve the Writing/Communication major.
        ENG 216: Publications (1 hr.)
        ENG 217: Journalism (3 hrs.)
        ENG 315: Business and Technical Writing (3 hrs.)
        ENG 317: Public Relations Writing and Practice (3 hrs.)
    One course from the following list may count for credit in the Literature in English major
        ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry (3 hrs.)
        ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hrs.)
        ENG 314: Creative Nonfiction (3 hrs.)

The Major in English for Teacher Licensure requires a minimum of 43 hours, including 36 hours in English, 4 hours in Humanities, and 3 hours in a related field. Required courses include:

    ENG 162: Interpreting Literature (3 hrs.)
    ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar (3 hrs.)
    ENG 311: History of the English Language (3 hrs.)
    ENG 312: Linguistic Theory and Second Language Acquisition (3 hrs.)
    ENG 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
    HUM 201: Perspectives in the Humanities (3 hrs.)
    HUM 347: Research and Professional Issues (1 hr.)
    Either of the following courses:
        ENG 221: American Literature: Puritan through Romantic (3 hrs.)
        or
        ENG 242: Survey of British Literature II (3 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        ENG 222: American Literature:  Realism to the Present (3 hrs.)
        or
        ENG 241: Survey of British Literature I (3 hrs.)
    One of the following courses:
        ENG 331: Chaucer in Middle English (3 hrs.)
        ENG 333: English Literature of the 17th Century (3 hrs.)
        ENG 334: English Literature of the Restoration and 18th Century (3 hrs.)
    One of the following courses:
        ENG 332: Shakespeare (3 hrs.)
        ENG 335: English Literature of the 19th Century (3 hrs.)
        ENG 336: British and American Literature of the 29th Century (3 hrs.)
    One related course from the following list:
        HIS 111: Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 hrs.)
        HIS 112: History of the United States in the 19th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 203: History of the United States in the 20th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 242: World Civilization from Earliest Times to 1500 C.E. (3 hrs.)
        HIS 243: World Civilization from 1500 C.E. to the 20th Century (3 hrs.)
        HIS 248: Appalachian Cultural and Social History (3 hrs.)
    Six additional hours are to be selected from catalog offerings under English excludingthe following which primarily serve the Writing/Communication major.
        ENG 216: Publications (1 hr.)
        ENG 217: Journalism (3 hrs.)
        ENG 315: Business and Technical Writing (3 hrs.)
        ENG 317: Public Relations Writing and Practice (3 hrs.)

    One course from the following may count for credit in the Major in English for Teacher Licensure:
        ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry (3 hrs.)
        ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hrs.)
        ENG 314: Creative Nonfiction (3 hrs.)

    Additional liberal studies requirements include:
        PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
        SOC 271: Sociology of Education (3 hrs.)

Students pursuing this major must complete 29 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed below and in the Education section of this catalog. They include:

      EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management and Instruction (3 hrs.)
      EDU 302: Educational Technology (2 hrs.)
      EDU 321: Reading and Writing in the Content Classrooms (2 hrs.)
      EDU 343: Practicum in Methods and Materials (2 hrs.)
      EDU 401: Student Teaching (9 hrs.)
      EDU 402: Professional Seminar on Teaching (3 hrs.)
      PHR 236: Health Issues in Education (2 hrs.)
      PSY 218: Psychology of Adolescence (3 hrs.)
      PSY 334: Culturally Diverse and Exceptional Children (3 hrs.)

The Major in Teaching English as a Second Language is offered as an initial endorsement teacher licensure program for teaching pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The major is interdisciplinary. Major requirements are listed under Teaching English as a Second Language in this catalog.

The Major in Writing/Communication requires a minimum of 46 hours, including 42 hours in English and 4 hours in Humanities. Required courses include:

     ENG 162: Interpreting Literature (3 hrs.)
     ENG 216: Publications (1 hr.) (3 credits required)
     ENG 217: Journalism (3 hrs.)
     ENG 311: History of the English Language (3 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
      ENG 337: Internship (7-15 hrs.)
        or
      ENG 343: Practicum (2-6 hrs.)
      ENG 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
      HUM 201: Perspectives in the Humanities (3 hrs.)
      HUM 347: Research and Professional Issues (1 hr.)
    Two of the following courses:
      ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry (3 hrs.)
      ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hrs.)
      ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar (3hrs.)
    Two of the following courses:
      ENG 314: Creative Nonfiction (3 hrs.)
      ENG 315: Business and Technical Writing (3 hrs.)
      ENG 317: Public Relations Writing and Practice (3 hrs.)

Students pursuing the internship option take an additional 3 hours in English courses in literature while students pursuing the practicum option take an additional 9 hours in English courses in literature.

All writing/communication majors are strongly encouraged to minor in an area that will give them a degree of expertise in a field other than English.

 The Minor in Literature in English requires the completion of 15 hours of English. Required courses include:

     ENG 162: Interpreting Literature (3 hrs.).
    On the basis of the student’s particular interest, the remaining courses/credit hours may be chosen from the following courses:
        Other course offerings in literature
        HIS 248: Appalachian Cultural and Social History (3 hrs.)
        ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry (3 hrs.)
        ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hrs.)
        ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar (3 hrs.)

 The Minor in English for Add-On Teaching Endorsementrequires the completion of 15 hours of English that include:

     ENG 162: Interpreting Literature (3 hrs.)
     ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar (3 hrs.)
     ENG 221: American Literature: Puritan through Romantic (3 hrs.)
     ENG 222: American Literature: Realism to the Present (3 hrs.)
     Either of the following courses:
        ENG 241: Survey of British Literature I (3 hrs.)
        or
        ENG 242: Survey of British Literature II (3 hrs.)

 The Minor in Writing/Communication requires 15 hours in writing and includes the following courses:

     English 216: Publications (1 hr.) (3 credits required)
     Four courses chosen from the following courses:
        ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry (3hrs.)
        ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3hrs.)
        ENG 217: Journalism (3 hrs.)
        ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar (3 hrs.)
        ENG 314: Creative Nonfiction (3 hrs.)
        ENG 315: Business and Technical Writing (3 hrs.)
        ENG 317: Public Relations Writing and Practice (3 hrs.)

 

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.

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