ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Go to class! As a discipline, English is defined by both materials and methods. While students can certainly access the materials—texts of many kinds, defined in many ways—on their own, the methods require participation in a community of scholars, which is the role of the classroom lecture and discussion. Students learn from each other as well as from faculty, and miss a significant portion of the educational experience when they miss class meetings or fail to participate in discussions. The English Department therefore affirms the importance of regular class attendance and supports penalties for non-attendance as indicated on the syllabi of individual faculty members.
Courses at the 400-level
Students analyze the phonological, morphological, and syntactic changes affecting the growth and structure of Old, Middle, and modern English, including the political and social factors that influenced the development of the language.
4 credit hours
The structure of modern English is examined: its phonology, morphology, and syntax; its personal, social, and communicative purposes; its historical development and variations; and language acquisition.
4 credit hours
Topics are selected from contemporary theory or the history of criticism. This course may be repeated for credit with a change in content.
4 credit hours
Close analysis is made of a limited number of works by a major author or of a single topic. A research-based seminar paper is required.
4 credit hours
- Four 300-level English courses
Students apply general writing knowledge in a workplace setting. Students also attend a weekly seminar.
4 credit hours
- For students with a minor in rhetoric and writing: completion of two 200-level courses and two 300- to 400-level courses in the minor, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major.
- For nonminors: a minimum GPA of 3.0 and/or permission of department chair or instructor.
Students produce original works of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction prose that is of publishable quality. Enrollment is limited to fifteen students.
4 credit hours
- Completion of 6 credit hours of creative writing courses at the 300-level and consent of instructor
Students select a topic and undertake concentrated research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students who wish to pursue a creative writing project should submit a portfolio of work with their application.
4 credit hours
- consent of instructor, department chair, and dean