English

Outcomes

English provides a firm foundation for those interested in the fields of law and business or entrepreneurship because of its emphasis on communication skills, critical thinking, and cultural diversity.

The following are the learning outcomes of the English program:

• Recognize in tests, essays, or other assignments significant authors and canonical works, literary conventions and techniques, and genres and movements of British, American, African diasporic, or international literature.

• Apply knowledge of global literary forms and approaches to literary criticism or theory in assignments such as presentations, research papers, or portfolios.

• Demonstrate written communication skills—including correct grammar and mechanics and appropriate academic research and references—at levels set by departmental grading rubrics.

• Integrate critical thinking, rhetorical, and research skills in the analysis of global literary works or other diverse forms of cultural production, such as media and film.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH

MAJOR COURSE OF STUDY REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM

Students who complete the requirements for the English major will earn a bachelor of arts degree. The B.A. requires 42 hours in English major courses. The curriculum for the major in English includes 10 mandatory core courses that include the HENG 241 Literary Form gateway course and the HENG 497 Senior Seminar capstone course. Senior Seminar serves as the capstone course for all fields of concentration. After completing the other English core courses, students will choose from three areas of concentration. This new curriculum allows students to choose at least four of their courses based on their career interests. As a part of the Senior Seminar, the senior project will focus on the student’s area of concentration.

General Education (Core)
33-48 hours

Refer to the general education requirements for more information.

English Major — 42 hours

The following courses are required:

• HENG 241—  Literary Form
• HENG 341—  Literary Theory
• HENG 377—  Shakespeare
• HENG 380—  Survey of African American Literature I
• HENG 497—  Senior Seminar

Choose two courses in British literature from the list below:

• HENG 271—  Survey of English Literature I
• HENG 272—  Survey of English Literature II
• HENG 375—  Chaucer
• HENG 376—  Milton
• HENG 478—  Nineteenth-Century British Novel

Choose two courses in American literature from the list below:

• HENG 363—  Survey of American Literature I
• HENG 364—  Survey of American Literature II
• HENG 366—  Literature of American Civil Rights

Choose one course in grammar and linguistics from the list below:

• HENG 247—  Advanced Grammar and Editing
• HENG 265—  Advanced Composition: Writing Criticism
• HENG 273—  History of the English Language

Africana Literature and Cultural Studies Concentration

Choose four from the list below (two courses must be 400-level):

• HENG 265—  Advanced Composition/Writing
• HCTM 320—  Film Criticism and Theory
• HCTM 235—  Introduction to Film
• HENG 345—  Introduction to Disability Studies
• HENG 350—  Global Modernism
• HENG 357—  Selected Caribbean Poetry
• HENG 360—  Topics in Africana Literature/Cultural Studies (courses cross listed with Africana Studies)
• HENG 366—  Literature of American Civil Rights
• HENG 379—  African American Biography and Autobiography
• HENG 381—  Survey of African American Literature II
• HENG 417—  The Nobel Laureates
• HENG 454—  Latin American Fiction and Film
• HENG 457—  The Caribbean Novel
• HENG 461—  West African Fiction and Film

Traditional English Studies Concentration

Choose four from the list below (two courses must be 400-level):

• HENG 247—  Advanced Grammar and Editing
• HENG 265—  Advanced Composition: Writing Criticism
• HENG 273—  History of the English Language
• HENG 350—  Global Modernism
• HENG 375—  Chaucer
• HENG 376—  Milton
• HENG 381—  Survey of African American Literature II
• HENG 441—  Contemporary Theory and Practice
• HENG 478—  Nineteenth-Century British Novel
• HENG 489—  Major African American Authors
• HENG 490—  Shakespeare and Film
• HENG 491—  Shakespeare and His Contemporaries

Writing Concentration

TWO (2) courses must be a 300-level; ONE (1) course must be a 400-level course: 

• HENG 265—  Advanced Composition: Writing Criticism
• HENG 273—  History of the English Language
• HENG 290— Introduction to Creative Writing
• HENG 387—  Advanced Grammar
• HENG 390—  Creative Writing Non-Fiction
• HENG 392—  Creative Writing: Fiction and Drama
• HENG 393—  Business and Professional Writing
• HENG 441—  Contemporary Theory and Practice
• HENG 483—  Harlem Renaissance
• HENG 485—  Contemporary African American Novel

MINOR IN ENGLISH

A minor in English requires successful completion of 18 hours beyond the college core curriculum. The required courses for the minor are HENG 241, 265, 375, 377, one of the 271, 272, 363, or 364, and one of 380, 480, or 489.

The following courses are required:

• HENG 241—  Literary Form
• One 400-level course from the list of African American
  literature courses
• One 400-level course from any concentration in the major
• One British literature course

Choose one course from the list below:

• HENG 247—  Advanced Grammar and Editing
• HENG 273—  History of the English Language

Choose one course from the list below:

• HENG 363—  Survey of American Literature I
• HENG 364—  Survey of American Literature II