Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2021 - 2022 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2021 - 2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


English, B.A.



Description

The English major equips students to understand the historical, cultural, and social context of literature, as well as to excel in their own writing. Studying literature fosters critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and an understanding of how language shapes our world, from daily interactions, workplaces, to the creative arts.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

BA graduates in English often move forward to MA programs in writing and teaching, MFA programs in creative writing, and PhD programs in literature. Completing a major in English can lead you to the following career paths: Grant Writer, Creative Writer, Editor, Professor, Museum Educator, Human Resources, Researcher, Communications Director, Publicity, Non-profit/Community Relations, Lawyer, Journalist, Marketing, Language Arts Teacher, Librarian, Advancement, Advertising Professional, Technical Writer, Corporate Communications.

What skills are developed within this major?

Skills developed within this major include the ability to do the following: write clearly, effectively, and persuasively; formulate a research project that investigates a substantial issue; conduct research using multiple sources; analyze language and writing to understand their formal, cultural, and historical dimensions; employ critical thinking to develop and advance an independent argument; report research findings effectively in an oral presentation.

Concentrations

The English major emphasizes the study of British and American literature. Concentrations are available in literature, creative writing, and secondary English licensure. Students who wish to obtain an Adolescent/Young Adult license must consult an advisor in the College of Education and Human Services, JH 170 (216-687-4625).

Undergraduate Program Director

Brooke Conti

Admission to Major


Completion of ENG 306  with a “C” or better.

Hours Required for Degree


Minimum hours required for degree: 120

Minimum hours required for major: 39 (42 or 45, depending on track, for students in the Mandel Honors College completing upper division requirements)

Major-Field Requirements


Required Core Courses (6 credits)


All students are required to complete the following two courses with a grade of “C” or higher. ENG 306  is a pre-requisite for all 300 and 400-level literature and creative writing classes. 

Concentrations


Students complete an additional 33 credits of ENG courses in one of the following concentrations: literature, creative writing, or secondary English licensure.

Literature Concentration


Period Distribution Requirements (12 credits)

Students take one course in each of the following 4 distribution areas. To complete this requirement, students may take the British and American Literature surveys (ENG 221 ENG 222 ENG 231 ENG 232 ), 300-level classes within the relevant time period, or a combination of both. (See each semester’s advisement sheet for which courses meet which requirements.)

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Early American Literature, 1650-1900

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Senior Seminar (3 credits)

Creative Writing Concentration


Intro to Creative Writing (3 credits)

This introductory course is a prerequisite for all workshops:

Workshop Courses (12 credits)

Students must take four creative writing workshop courses, at least one at the intermediate level. Additional workshops cannot count toward the English major but may count toward university requirements.

Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (3 credits)

Secondary English Licensure Track


General Education Suggestion: Secondary Licensure students are strongly encouraged to complete ENG 347 - Studies in African-American Literature  as their African-American Diversity (DIV-AA) General Education course.

Students desiring to teach English with the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure must consult an advisor in the College of Education and Human Services, JH 170 (216-687-4625), as well as an advisor in the English Department. Students must meet the admission requirements of the College of Education and Education Services to add the licensure requirements to their record.

See also Education, Adolescent and Young Adult with Licensure, Grades 7-12 .

Period Distribution Requirements (12 credits)

Students take one course in each of the following 4 distribution areas. To complete this requirement, students may take the British and American Literature surveys (ENG 221 ENG 222 ENG 231 ENG 232 ), 300-level classes within the relevant time period, or a combination of both. (See each semester’s advisement sheet for which courses meet which requirements.)

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Early American Literature, 1650-1900

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Upper-Division Electives (6 credits)

​​6 credits in ENG courses numbered 300 and above

Senior Seminar (3 credits)

All licensure students must take ENG 495  as their senior seminar

Other Required Course (3 credits)

Mandel Honors College Requirements


Students in the Mandel Honors College completing the University Honors or University Scholars upper-division requirements must complete 42 credits on the literature track; 45 on the creative writing track. In addition to the 39 credits taken by all English majors (see the requirements for the relevant concentration, above), students must complete the following Honors/Contract requirement:

University Honors Requirements


In addition to ENG 496H, students must complete a minimum of 12 credits of designated Honors/ Contract courses within the concentration

Literature Concentration


Students’ 12 hours (minimum) of designated Honors/Contract courses within the concentration should include whichever four classes they use to complete their period distribution requirements.

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Early American Literature, 1650-1900

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Senior Seminar (3 Credits)

Creative Writing Concentration


In addition to ENG 496H , students must complete a minimum of 12 credits of designated Honors/Contract courses within the concentration. They also must take one Late British Literature and one Late American Literature class, as well as ENG 497 - Literary Editing and Publishing .

Advanced Workshops

At least 2 of the 4 Honors/Contract courses must be advanced workshop courses. Choose from the following:

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (3 Credits)

University Scholars Requirements


Students in the Mandel Honors College completing the University Honors or University Scholars upper-division requirements must complete 42 credits on the literature track; 45 on the creative writing track. In addition to the 39 credits taken by all English majors (see the requirements for the relevant concentration, above), students must complete the following Honors/Contract requirement:

Literature Concentration


Students’ 9 hours (minimum) of designated Honors/Contract courses within the concentration should include whichever three classes they use to complete their period distribution requirements.

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Early American Literature, 1650-1900

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Senior Seminar (3 Credits)

Creative Writing Concentration


In addition to ENG 496H , students must complete a minimum of 9 credits of designated Honors/Contract courses within the concentration. They also must take one Late British Literature and one Late American Literature class, as well as ENG 497 - Literary Editing and Publishing .

Advanced Workshops

At least 2 of the 3 Honors/Contract courses must be advanced workshop courses. Choose from the following:

Late British Literature, 1800-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Late American Literature, 1900-present

Choose one of the following courses:

Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (3 Credits)

Notes:


Students should discuss the Honors/Scholars contract component with their instructor. The Honors/Scholars contract component may not be taken as part of a six week summer session course.

Degree maps should be developed in consultation with a student’s Honors/Scholars advisor.

Accelerated 3+3 Degree


The CSU/Cleveland-Marshall College of Law 3+3 program permits a student who has completed three years of undergraduate study to be admitted to the College of Law to begin J.D. studies. The undergraduate degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the first full year of the J.D. curriculum, thus permitting the student to graduate with both an undergraduate and law degrees in six rather than seven years of full-time study (or its equivalent). In effect, the first year of law school completes the fourth year of the undergraduate degree (serving, in effect, as undergraduate elective courses) and serves as the first year of law school. This arrangement saves both time and money for the student.