English

Allison Egnew Smith, Ph.D., Dean, School of Arts & Humanities

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 305

(270) 384-8158                 smitha@lindsey.edu

Karolyn Steffens, Ph.D., English Program Coordinator

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 303

(270) 384-7461                 steffensk@lindsey.edu

Full-time English program faculty: Mary Baker, M.A.; Todd Campbell, M.F.A.: Rachel Carr, Ph.D.; Caleb Dempsey-Richardson, M.A.; Sarah Loy, Ph.D.; Kerry E. Robertson, Ph.D.; Allison Egnew Smith, Ph.D.; W. Kendall Sewell, M.A.T.; Karolyn Steffens, Ph.D.

Mission Statement

Literature and Writing Studies: The English faculty is committed to a program that stresses excellence in the study of language, literature, and writing. The program curriculum emphasizes intellectual development, critical analysis, cultural literacy, and global awareness. In addition to acquiring a deeper understanding of and appreciation for language, literature, and writing, the skills and knowledge students gain also fully prepare them for graduate and professional schools, teaching language arts at the middle grades and secondary levels, and careers that demand highly developed abilities in critical thinking, research, and writing.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major will simultaneously fulfill general education requirements. Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Students should note that the major may provide fewer than the required 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework; therefore, students may need to complete additional 3000-4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

Entrance Criteria

Each student must have completed ENGL 1013/ENGL 1004, ENGL 1023, and ENGL 2103 with a minimum grade of C.*        

*An ACT English sub-score of 25 or higher waives the ENGL 1013/ENGL 1004 requirement, allowing students an additional three hours of elective credit.

Program Requirements: 45-46 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s prerequisites and core requirements and must select an area of specialization (literature, secondary education, communication & professional writing) and complete that coursework as indicated.  English majors who wish to become certified in secondary education must follow the secondary education area of specialization. 

A.        Prerequisites: 6 hours

• Writing Studies II (ENGL 1023) is a prerequisite for ENGL 2703, ENGL 3013, ENGL 3733, ENGL 3401, and ENGL 4503 – 3 hours
• Literary Interpretation (ENGL 2103) or World Literature (ENGL 2203) or Mythology & Folklore in Literature (ENGL 2503) is a prerequisite for the 3000-level literature courses – 3 hours*

            *English majors are required to take ENGL 2103.

B.        Core Requirements: 33 hours

      1 – Methods Courses:  6 hours

• Modern Critical Theory (ENGL 3363) – 3 hours
• English Majors Seminar (ENGL 4903) – 3 hours

          2 – Literature Survey Courses:  12 hours

• American Literature I (ENGL 3113) – 3 hours
• American Literature II (ENGL 3123) – 3 hours
• British Literature I (ENGL 3213) – 3 hours
• British Literature II (ENGL 3223) – 3 hours

          3 – Diversity Courses (select two of the following):  6 hours

• Ethnic Literature (ENGL 3063) – 3 hours
• Women Writers (ENGL 3163) – 3 hours
• Transnational Literature (ENGL 3553) – 3 hours
• History & Literature of Empire (ENGL/HIST 4353) – 3 hours
• Feminist Theory & Practice (WS 3203) – 3 hours

          4 – Writing, Rhetoric & Culture Courses:  9 hours

•  Intermediate Composition & Rhetoric (ENGL 3013) – 3 hours
• Advanced Writing (ENGL 4503) – 3 hours
• Select one course from the following:  3 hours

• Writing & Culture (ENGL 3733) – 3 hours
• Creative Writing (ENGL 3101/3103) – 3 hours
• Playwriting (THEA 333) – 3 hours
• Feminist Writing & Film (WS 3313) – 3 hours

C.  Areas of Specialization (select one of the following areas):  6-7 hours

          1 – Literature Emphasis (choose from the following)*

• Introduction to Modern English Grammar (ENGL 2703) – 3 hours
• Major Authors  Seminar (ENGL 3053) – 3 hours
• Literary Cultures (ENGL 3373) – 3 hours
• The Teaching & Tutoring of Writing (ENGL 3401) – 1 hour
• Studies in Genre (ENGL 3413) – 3 hours
• Critical Issues in Literature & Writing (ENGL 3563) – 3 hours
• Shakespeare (ENGL 3603) – 3 hours
• Special Topics (ENGL 4803) – 3 hours
• Dramatic Literature Survey (THEA 3423) – 3 hours

*A course from Group B3 or Group B4 may count as an elective for Group C1.  Choose course from among those not taken for the Core Requirements.

2 – Secondary Education Emphasis*

• Introduction to Modern English Grammar (ENGL 2703) – 3 hours
• Choose from the following:  3-4 hours*

• Major Authors Seminar (ENGL 3503) – 3 hours
• Literary Cultures (ENGL 3373) – 3 hours
• The Teaching &  Tutoring of Writing (ENGL 3401) – 1 hour
• \Studies in Genre (ENGL 3413) – 3 hours
• Critical Issues in Literature & Writing (ENGL 3563) – 3 hours
• Shakespeare (ENGL 3603) – 3 hours

*A course from Group B3 or Group B4 may count as an elective for Group C2.  Choose course from among those not taken for the Core Requirements.

          3 – Communication & Professional Writing Emphasis (choose from the following)*

• The Teaching & Tutoring of Writing (ENGL 3401) – 1 hour
•  Special Topics (ENGL 3803) – 3 hours
• Intercultural Communication (COMM 3603) – 3 hours
• Communication in Social & Critical Contexts (COMM 3713) – 3 hours
• Communication Law & Ethics (COMM/JRNL 4403) – 3 hours
• Interviewing (COMM 4503) – 3 hours
• Persuasion (COMM 4723) – 3 hours
• Media Writing & Reporting (JRNL 2403) – 3 hours
• Community Reporting (JRNL 3103) – 3 hours
• Magazine & Feature Writing (JRNL 3213) – 3 hours

*A course from Group B3 or Group B4 may count as an elective for Group C3.  Choose course from among those not taken for the Core Requirements.

Exit Assessment

Students applying for graduation with a bachelor’s degree in English must have a minimum GPA in their major courses of 2.50. In the fall semester of their senior year, students are required to take English Majors Seminar (ENGL 4903).

Secondary Education 8-12 Certification

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English also have the option to concurrently complete the secondary education 8-12 program through the education program. The program requires 42 hours of coursework in education that includes a semester of student teaching. Interested students should contact the director of education for education program advising.

Recommended Minor or Certificate

History, theatre, communication, political science, media studies, and women’s & gender studies minors or the legal studies or organizational leadership certificates are good choices for English majors.  Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take.