English

B.A. in English

Program Mission

Firmly rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, the English Program aspires to be a community of learning which fosters among its members a love of scholarship, a desire for lifelong learning, a posture of service, and a desire for ethical relationships. With support and guidance from the faculty of the Program, students working towards a degree in English grow to become independent, engaged scholars who accept responsibility for their own learning. As sensitive and informed readers who grow in
their understanding of the essence of human experience, they develop habits of critical thinking, and they communicate with others clearly, effectively, and compassionately.

The Program

The English Program provides its majors with a strong foundation in literary and writing studies, while offering non-English majors the opportunity to improve their writing skills and deepen their understanding of the enjoyment afforded to the informed reader. The work of the major is ideal for growth toward a profession, while also offering opportunities for pleasure and personal growth. The Bachelor of Arts in English is offered with three concentrations: Literary Studies,Writing Studies, and English Studies. All of the options within the major prepare students to continue their work in graduate and professional schools. Minors in Literary Studies,Writing Studies, Journalism, and English Studies are also available.

Requirements: 

Literary Studies Concentration: 34 Credits

• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 220     The English Symposium 2 (.5, .5, .5, .5)
• ENG 247     Critical Reading (4)
• ENG 270     Guided Reading (2)
• ENG 327     Independent Reading (2)
• ENG 300     Seminar in Major Literary Figures (4)
• ENG 310     Seminar in a Literary Tradition (4)
• ENG 315     Seminar in Literature and Cultural Context (4)
• ENG 400     Seminar in Literary Theory

OR

• ENG 405     Seminar in Rhetorical Theory (4)
• ENG 411     Capstone Seminar (2)
• ENG 495     Professional Internship* (2)

*Student teachers may substitute ED 467: Student Teaching for this requirement.

Writing Studies Concentration: 34 Credits

• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 220     The English Symposium 2 (.5, .5, .5, .5)
• ENG 247     Critical Reading (4)
• ENG 270     Guided Reading (2)
• ENG 273     Guided Writing (2)
• ENG 345     Independent Writing (2)
• ENG 320     Advanced Seminar in Writing (2)
• ENG 400     Seminar in Literary Theory

OR

• ENG 405     Seminar in Rhetorical Theory (4)
• ENG 411     Capstone Seminar (2)
• ENG 495     Professional Internship* (2)

And two courses from the following three:

• ENG 203     Creative Writing (4)
• ENG 204     Writing for the Workplace (4)
• ENG 205     Journalistic Writing (4)

* Student teachers may substitute ED 467: Student Teaching for this requirement.

English majors with a concentration in writing studies who are seeking a minor in secondary education are strongly urged to take Eng 327 and to use that course, Eng 230, and elective credits to provide themselves with a solid foundation in the literature they will be expected to teach after graduation.

English Studies Concentration: 31-33 Credits

• ENG 200     American English Grammar (4)
• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 220     The English Symposium 2 (.5, .5, .5, .5)
• ENG 2--      Writing, Literature, Film or Communication (3 or 4)
• ENG 239     Women’s Literature: A Different Voice

OR

• ENG 265     Studies in American Literature (4)
• ENG 270     Guided Reading

OR

• ENG 273     Guided Writing (2)
• ENG 327     Independent Reading

OR

• ENG 345     Independent Writing (2)
• ENG 3--      Writing, Literature, or Communication (3 or 4)
• ENG 411     Capstone Seminar (2)
• ENG 495     Professional Internship (2)

Related Requirements:

• COMM 223 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)

Co-Curricular Requirements

During the semesters when they are enrolled in English 220: The English Symposium, English majors will be required to attend guest author readings on campus (generally one each semester), as well as one additional cultural event on-campus and one cultural event off-campus. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the College’s proximity to all that New York City has to offer, and their choices will include such opportunities as trips to art and other museums and experiences of opera, dance, and orchestral, vocal, and stage performances. Each year students will be apprised of possibilities, and they will be expected to submit a brief response to each cultural event they attend.

Capstone Requirement:

The Capstone Requirement is the successful completion of a substantial independent research project under the mentorship of a member of the program faculty. The project may be a substantial expansion of a paper written for another course or it may address a new research topic, but it will always derive from the student’s previous work within the major. A summary of the research is presented orally at the conclusion of Capstone Seminar.

Minor in Literary Studies: 18 Credits

• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 2--      Film (4)
• ENG 247     Critical Reading (4)
• ENG 270     Guided Reading (2)
• ENG 3--      Literature Elective (4)

Minor in Writing Studies: 18 Credits

• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 2 - -    Writing Elective (4)
• ENG 247     Critical Reading (4)
• ENG 273     Guided Writing (2)
• ENG 320     Advanced Seminar in Writing (2)
• ENG 345     Independent Writing (2)

Minor in English Studies: 18 Credits

• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing (4)
• ENG 2--      Writing Elective (4)
• ENG 239     Women’s Literature: A Different Voice (4)

OR

• ENG 247     Critical Reading (4)

OR

• ENG 265     Studies in American Literature (4)
• ENG 270     Guided Reading (2)

OR

• ENG 273     Guided Writing (2)
• ENG 3--      Literature Elective (4)

OR

• ENG 320     Advanced Seminar in Writing (2)

AND

• ENG 345     Independent Writing (2)