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English Department Major Programs

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  Degree Requirements

  To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the program major and have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours. All English majors must officially declare a concentration through the CLAE office.

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  Requirements of the Major (36 credits)

  The English major consists of 12 courses (36 credits) in English and includes a set of requirements that each student must fulfill. Graduating seniors must submit a final portfolio of their work.

  Concentrations in English have varying requirements drawn from the categories below. Please refer to the curriculum section for the specific requirements relevant to each concentration. Individual courses will count toward only one of following categories of requirement.

  Literature Written Before 1700: Courses in literature written in English before 1700 include Medieval Literature, Renaissance Literature and designated topics courses and seminars.

  Literature Written Between 1700-1900: Courses in literature written in English between 1700 and 1900 include American Literature to 1865, American Literature 1865-1920, 18th Century British Literature, 19th Century British Literature and designated topics courses and seminars.

  Diverse Literatures: Courses designated as diverse literatures examine literary, rhetorical, and cultural productions originating outside of dominant social groups and formations; address issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and ability; and/or engage with postcolonial/diasporic literatures. Courses in this category include Diverse Voices in Literature, African American Literature, and designated topics courses and seminars.

  Topics Courses: Topics courses introduce students to primary areas of inquiry in current literary and rhetorical studies through focused examinations of related literary and cultural texts. Emphasis is also given to the evaluation and application of theoretical approaches relevant to those areas.

  Seminars: Seminars engage students in advanced examinations of topics reflecting the full range of the English curriculum. Emphasis is given to intensive reading, collaborative discussion, and original student research in focused areas of inquiry. Seminars culminate in students producing a substantial piece of original, scholarly writing.

  Final Portfolio: Graduating English majors will present a portfolio of selected materials that reflect their development and growth in the program. These materials will be accompanied by a reflective essay that discusses their own appraisal of whether and how they have met the program outcomes. English majors cannot be awarded their degree and English minors cannot earn their minor without completing their final portfolio.

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  Please Note:

  • ENL 1300 College Writing (3 credits) and ENL 1310 Academic Writing (3 credits) do not earn credit for the English major.
  • Only one genre course can fulfill requirements for the major.
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  Curriculum for the English Major with Literature Concentration

  English Major with a Literature Concentration
  

  Required (6 credits):
  

  • ENL 2060 Introduction to Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3000 Writing About Literature (3 credits)

  One of the following genre courses (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2350 Study of Fiction (3 credits)
  • ENL 2450 Study of Poetry (3 credits)
  • ENL 2650 Study of Drama (3 credits)

  One of the Following Courses in Diverse Literatures (3 credits):

  • ENL 2750 Diverse Voices in Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 2850 African American Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written before 1700 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3130 Medieval Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3140 Renaissance Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written between 1700 and 1900 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) 
  • ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)
  • ENL 3150 18th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3160 19th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  Six English (ENL) electives (18 credits):

  • Three seminars at the 4000-level (9 credits)
  • Three additional ENL electives (9 credits)

  Final portfolio

  Students must complete a final portfolio.

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  Curriculum for the English Major with Creative Writing Concentration

  English Major with a Creative Writing Concentration

  Required (9 credits):
  

  • ENL 2050 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 2060 Introduction to Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3850 Intermediate Creative Writing (3 credits)

  One of the following genre courses (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2350 Study of Fiction (3 credits)
  • ENL 2450 Study of Poetry (3 credits)
  • ENL 2650 Study of Drama (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in diverse literatures (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2750 Diverse Voices in Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 2850 African American Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written before 1700 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3130 Medieval Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3140 Renaissance Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written between 1700 and 1900 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) 
  • ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)
  • ENL 3150 18th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3160 19th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  Five English (ENL) electives (15 credits)

  • At least two courses (6 credits) for this concentration must be chosen from the following Seminar courses:
    • ENL 4510 Literature and Culture Seminar (3 credits)
    • ENL 4520 Rhetorical Studies Seminar (3 credits)
    • ENL 4530 Author or Genre Seminar
    • ENL 4540 Critical Approaches to Literature Seminar (3 credits)
    • ENL 4850 Advanced Creative Writing Practicum (3 credits)
  • Select three ENL electives (9 credits)

  Final portfolio

  Students must complete a final portfolio.

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  Curriculum for the English Major with Professional Writing Concentration

  English Major with a Professional Writing Concentration

  Required (9 credits):

  • ENL 2060 Introduction to Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3030 Technical Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3080 Business Writing (3 credits)

  One of the following genre courses (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2350 Study of Fiction (3 credits)
  • ENL 2450 Study of Poetry (3 credits)
  • ENL 2650 Study of Drama (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in diverse literatures (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2750 Diverse Voices in Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 2850 African American Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written before 1700 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3130 Medieval Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3140 Renaissance Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written between 1700 and 1900 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) 
  • ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)
  • ENL 3150 18th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3160 19th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  Six English (ENL) electives (18 credits)

  • At least two courses (6 credits) for this concentration must be chosen from the following Seminar courses:
    • ENL 4050 Editorial Processes and Products (3 credits)
    • ENL 4070 Grant Writing (3 credits)
    • ENL 4510 Literature and Culture Seminar (3 credits)
    • ENL 4520 Rhetorical Studies Seminar (3 credits)
    • ENL 4530 Author or Genre Seminar
    • ENL 4540 Critical Approaches to Literature Seminar (3 credits)
  • Select four ENL electives (12 credits)

  Final portfolio

  Students must complete a final portfolio.

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  Curriculum for the English Major with Secondary Education Concentration - Not admitting new students

  *Note: The Secondary Education concentration is not admitting new students.
  Students currently enrolled in the program will be allowed to complete the program as described in their plan of work.

  English Major with a Secondary Education Concentration

  Required (15 credits):

  • ENL 2050 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
  • ENL 3000 Writing About Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3260 History of the English Language (3 credits) or ENL 3540 Topics in Language and Linguistics (3 credits)
  • ENL 3900 Children’s Literature (3 credits) or  ENL 3910 Young Adult Literature (3 credits) or EDU 4070 Children’s Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) or ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)

  The following genre course (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2450 Study of Poetry (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in diverse literatures (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 2750 Diverse Voices in Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 2850 African American Literature (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written before 1700 (3 credits):
  

  • ENL 3130 Medieval Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3140 Renaissance Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  One of the following courses in literature written between 1700 and 1900 (3 credits):

  • ENL 3110 American Literature to 1865 (3 credits) 
  • ENL 3120 American Literature 1865-1920 (3 credits)
  • ENL 3150 18th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • ENL 3160 19th Century British Literature (3 credits)
  • Designated Topics course (3 credits)
  • Designated Seminar course (3 credits)

  Three English (ENL) electives (9 credits):

  • Two of the three electives must be from Seminar courses.

  Note:  ENL 3850 Intermediate Creative Writing (3 credits) and ENL 4850 Advanced Creative Writing Practicum (3 credits) will NOT fulfill this criterion for Secondary Education students.)

  Final portfolio

  Students must complete a final portfolio.

  *Note: At least two courses (6 credits) for this concentration must be chosen from Seminar courses.

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  Literature Minor (18 credits)

  A Literature minor gives students the flexibility to explore the wide range of English studies with an emphasis on the study of literary works. As a Literature minor you will read and discuss great literary texts and hone your skills as a writer and scholar over the course of six classes (18 credits), many of which are also in the university’s Core Curriculum. É«×ۺϾþà Mercy English courses are taught by award-winning faculty members who are passionate teachers and active scholars and authors.

  Visit the Literature minor page for more information.

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  Creative Writing Minor (18 credits)

  A Creative Writing minor gives students the flexibility to explore the wide range of English studies with an emphasis on the composition of original creative works. As a Creative Writing minor you will read and discuss literary texts and develop your craft as a creative writer over the course of six classes (18 credits), many of which are also in the University’s Core Curriculum. Taking a combination of literature and creative writing courses gives students a deeper understanding of how to use language to express the intricacies of the human experience. Our Creative Writing classes emphasize the process of writing as well as the end product; the peer workshop, or group critique of student writing, is the cornerstone of your growth as a writer. É«×ۺϾþà Mercy English courses are taught by award-winning faculty members who are passionate teachers and active scholars and authors.

  Visit the Creative Writing minor page for more information.

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  Professional Writing Minor (18 credits)

  A Professional Writing minor equips students with the writing skills to excel in a broad range of professional contexts. The minor consists of six courses chosen in consultation with your English Department advisor. At least half of the credits for the minor (9 credits) must be at or above the 3000 level.

  Visit the Professional Writing minor page for more information.

Accelerated 6-Year Program

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  Accelerated 6-Year (3+3) Law Scholars Program

  É«×ۺϾþà Mercy’s innovative Accelerated 6-Year Law Scholars Program enables you to earn both a bachelor's degree in English and a Juris Doctor degree in only six years rather than the traditional seven. You will spend the first three years earning credit toward your bachelor’s degree and the last three completing the Juris Doctor requirements.