Program Requirements
B.A. in English
A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all English (ENGL) courses taken in residence that may be applied to the major.
Requirements
Introductory Courses – 9.5 credits
- Choose ONE:
- ENGL 180 – Book Club (3)
- ENGL 203C – History of English Language (3)
- ENGL 200C – Literary Analysis (3)
- ENGL 201 – Career Seminar (0.5)
- ENGL 259 – Argument and Persuasion (3)
Literary and Rhetorical Traditions* – 3 credits
Choose ONE course from the following:
- ENGL 293 – P1 Early English Literature (3)
- ENGL 295 – P1 Literary Revolutions (3)
- ENGL 297 – P1 Readings in American Literature (3)
- ENGL 312C – P1 Shakespeare (3)
- ENGL 339 – American Literatures (3)
Theory and Methods* – 3 credits
Choose ONE course from the following:
- ENGL 344 – Topics in Literature and Popular Culture (3)
- ENGL 349 – Major Authors (3)
- ENGL 352 – Rhetorical Theory (3)
- ENGL 370 – Gender and Writing (3)
Cultural Contexts* – 3 credits
Choose ONE course from the following:
- ENGL 2320 – AFAM Literature & Culture (3)
- ENGL 2362 – Multicultural America (3)
- ENGL 335 – Studies in AFAM Literature (3)
- ENGL 336 – Studies in Native American Literature (3)
- ENGL 337 – Multicultural Literature (3)
- ENGL 347 – Studies in Postcolonialism (3)
- ENGL 381 – The Rhetoric of Hate (3)
Professional and Creative Writing* – 3 credits
Choose ONE course from the following:
- ENGL 253 – P1 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
- ENGL 271 – Legal Writing (3)
- ENGL 2376 – Intercultural Communication (3)
- ENGL 355 – Professional Writing (3)
- ENGL 359 – Technical Writing (3)
- ENGL 371 – Creative Writing: Fiction (3)
- ENGL 372 – Creative Writing: Poetry (3)
- ENGL 376 – Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3)
Visual and Digital Approaches* – 3 credits
Choose ONE course from the following:
- ENGL 2212 – Shakespeare on Film (3)
- ENGL 268 – P1 Fundamentals of Film (3)
- ENGL 2273 – Exploring Film History (3)
- ENGL 346 – Narrative and New Media (3)
- ENGL 356 – Editing and Publishing (3)
- ENGL 361 – Writing with New Media (3)
Electives* – 9 credits
- Three English electives (ENGL) may be chosen at the 200/2000 level or above; excluding ENGL 3990. ENGL 3990 may not be used as a major elective.
English Capstone – 3 credits
- Choose ONE:
- ENGL 420 – Senior Seminar (3)
- ENGL 425 – Senior Experience (3)
Total: 36.5 credits
*In making course selections from these categories, note that at least four major courses (in addition to the capstone selection) must be taken at or above the 300 level.
Note: The requirements for English majors who are also inclusive adolescence education majors are more specific than those noted above. Please refer to the requirements below for the inclusive adolescence education/English dual major.
Honors Options in English
The English department offers a degree with Honors in English to qualified students who complete a substantial project in literary or rhetorical criticism or creative writing. Students must have at least a 3.50 GPA in English courses and a 3.50 GPA overall. Candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Enroll in ENGL 498H and/or ENGL 499H and receive an “A” on the honors thesis. The paper should display originality and sophistication of thought, as well as stylistic excellence.
- Successfully defend the thesis at an open colloquium. Although anyone from the academic community may attend the colloquium, the student meets primarily with a committee of readers who will decide whether to award honors. The committee is composed of the project director, a second reader from the English department, and the chair of the department. The colloquium is usually held during the week of final exams.
Inclusive Adolescence Education/English Dual Major
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (English) may dual major in inclusive adolescence education and English, and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details) the English Department, in conjunction with the Education Department, has outlined the following requirement for the English major. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
- ENGL 200 – Literary Analysis (3)
- ENGL 201 – Career Seminar (0.5)
- ENGL 203C – History of English Language (3)
- ENGL 211 – P1 Young Adult Literature (3)
- ENGL 259 – Argument and Persuasion (3)
- ENGL 312C – P1 Shakespeare (3)
- ENGL 253 – P1 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
- Choose ONE course from Theories and Approaches:
- ENGL 344 – Topics in Literature and Popular Culture (3)
- ENGL 349 – Major Authors (3)
- ENGL 352 – Rhetorical Theory (3)
- ENGL 370 – Gender and Writing (3)
- Choose ONE course from Cultural Contexts:
- ENGL 335 – Studies in African American Literature (3)
- ENGL 336 – Studies in Native American Literature (3)
- ENGL 337 – Multicultural Literature (3)
- ENGL 347 – Studies in Postcolonialism (3)
- Choose ONE course from Visual and Digital Media:
- ENGL 346 – Narrative and New Media (3)
- ENGL 361 – Writing with New Media (3)
- Choose TWO survey courses from:
- ENGL 293 – P1 Early English Literature (3)
- ENGL 295 – P1 Literary Revolutions (3)
- ENGL 297 – P1 Readings in American Literature (3)
- Choose ONE Capstone:
- ENGL 420 – Senior Seminar (3)
- ENGL 425 – Senior Experience (3)
Total: 36.5 credits
As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification.
Inclusive Adolescence Education Major with an English Concentration
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (English) may opt to have a concentration in English literature rather than a major, resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the English Department in conjunction with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for English certification. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
- ENGL 200C – Literary Analysis (3)
- ENGL 203C – History of English Language (3)
- ENGL 211 – P1 Young Adult Literature (3)
- ENGL 259 – Argument and Persuasion (3)
- ENGL 312C – P1 Shakespeare (3)
- Choose ONE course from Cultural Contexts:
- ENGL 335 – Studies in African American Literature (3)
- ENGL 336 – Studies in Native American Literature (3)
- ENGL 337 – Multicultural Literature (3)
- ENGL 347 – Studies in Postcolonialism (3)
- Choose ONE course from Visual and Digital Media:
- ENGL 346 – Narrative and New Media (3)
- ENGL 361 – Writing with New Media (3)
- Choose TWO survey courses from:
- ENGL 293 – P1 Early English Literature (3)
- ENGL 295 – P1 Literary Revolutions (3)
- ENGL 297 – P1 Readings in American Literature (3)
- Choose ONE Capstone:
- ENGL 420 – Senior Seminar (3)
- ENGL 425 – Senior Experience (3)
Total: 30 credits
Inclusive Childhood Education With a Liberal Arts Major/Concentration in English
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with English take all of the major requirements as listed above for a B.A. in English in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-52 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in English, the English Department in conjunction with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
English Concentration Requirements
- ENGL 180 – Book Club (3)
- ENGL 200C – Literary Analysis (3)
- ENGL 259 – Argument and Persuasion (3)
- ONE* course from Literary and Rhetorical Traditions (3)
- ONE* course from Theories and Approaches (3)
- ONE* course from Cultural Contexts (3)
- ONE* course from Creative and Professional Writing (3)
- ONE* course from Visual and Digital Media (3)
- ONE* English elective (3); excluding ENGL 3990. ENGL 3990 may not be used as a major elective.
- Choose ONE capstone:
- ENGL 420 – Senior Seminar (3)
- ENGL 425 – Senior Experience (3)
Total: 30 credits
*In making course selections from these categories, note that at least three courses (in addition to the capstone selection) must be taken at or above the 300 level.