2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
English, B.A. |
English
Adaptability, imagination, and the power to communicate are three qualities essential for success in today’s challenging and rapidly changing society. These three qualities, developed by the English major through the study of language and literature, instill both breadth and flexibility in thinking and attitude. Such study also encourages the development of clear and persuasive communication, analytical skill, cultural and historical insight, and creativity.
Neumann University’s English major provides opportunities for students to apply their coursework through participating in diverse activities including campus publications, theater productions, tutoring programs, service learning, student teaching, and internships. Students are prepared to pursue graduate study in literature, composition studies, or law. Students also learn writing and communication skills that enable them to explore career fields in education, publishing, research, business, government, entertainment, and public relations. Those who are not seeking Secondary Education Certification in English have the option of a minor in Writing, Journalism, or some other field of interest.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and will be able to:
- Compose focused and organized examples of writing, in clear, effective, and correct style.
- Demonstrate knowledge of literature from a broad range of historical and cultural contexts, and analyze and interpret texts from a variety of aesthetic/theoretical approaches.
- Synthesize relevant literary criticism with original interpretation of the text(s) to support a sophisticated thesis, using appropriate literary terminology.
- Demonstrate competence in language and literature through experiential learning opportunities, professional activities, and career development.
- Reflect on the power of literature to enrich human life, individually and socially, integrating Franciscan/ Christian perspectives as appropriate.
Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements
In order to remain in the major, a student must not earn a grade less than C in any major course more than two times. For example, a student earns less than C in two major courses. The student retakes each course and earns a C or above. If the same student earns less than C in a third major course, she/he may be counseled out of the major.
Admission Criteria From Another Major
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and meet with their academic advisor.
Special Programs
Long regarded as an ideal preparation for the study of law, the English major at Neumann University participates in the Widener School of Law 3+3 Early Admission Program. For information about this program, please click here: Pre-Law courses
Career preparation is also provided by Neumann’s combined English/Secondary Education program, which offers both a full major in English and thorough training in Education, all leading to certification for the teaching of English at the secondary school level.
Major Requirements: 54 Credits
- ENG 230 The Pleasures of Poetry 3 Credits
-
or
- ENG 204 Nature Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 300 Shakespeare and His Legacy 3 Credits
- ENG 310 American Literary Heritage: 17th - 19th Centuries 3 Credits
- ENG 320 Romantic and Victorian Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 360 The Age of Reason: The Long 18th Century 3 Credits
- ENG 365 The Age of Enchantment: Medieval Literature 3 Credits
-
or
- ENG 420 Chaucer and the Flowering of English Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 375 The Golden Age: English Renaissance Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 380 American Literature of the Modern Age 3 Credits
- ENG 405 The English Language 3 Credits
- ENG 400 Aesthetic Theory and Literary Criticism 3 Credits
- HUM 200 Introduction to Arts Theory and Criticism 3 Credits
- HUM 460 Interdisciplinary Seminar 3 Credits
- A&S 495 Arts and Sciences Internship 3 Credits
ENG Modern/Multicultural Period Requirement: 3 Credits
(Choose one of the following courses)
- ENG 330 Literature of Foreign Cultures 3 Credits
- ENG 385 Modern British and Irish Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 430 Contemporary Writers 3 Credits
- ENG 440 Diversity in Drama 3 Credits
- ENG 490 Gender and Literature 3 Credits
Writing Requirement: 3 Credits
(Choose one of the following courses)
- ENG 235 Peer Tutoring of Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 274 Creative Writing: Fiction 3 Credits
- ENG 275 Creative Writing: Poetry 3 Credits
- ENG 276 Creative Writing: Scriptwriting for Theater and the Electronic Media 3 Credits
- ENG 277 Creative Nonfiction Essay Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 358 Writing: Process and Product 3 Credits
- ENG 455 Advanced Analytical Writing 3 Credits
English Electives: 9 Credits
Electives that can be applied to the English Major (at least 6 Credits at 300-400 level)
- ENG 200 Children’s Literature: Windows on the World 3 Credits
- ENG 204 Nature Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 205 Religious Experience in Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 220 The World of Drama 3 Credits
- ENG 226 Special Topics in English Credit Varies
- ENG 235 Peer Tutoring of Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 240 The Art of the Short Story: Mirrors of Experience 3 Credits
- ENG 250 Young Adult Literature: Educating the Imagination 3 Credits
- ENG 274 Creative Writing: Fiction 3 Credits
- ENG 275 Creative Writing: Poetry 3 Credits
- ENG 276 Creative Writing: Scriptwriting for Theater and the Electronic Media 3 Credits
- ENG 277 Creative Nonfiction Essay Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 303 Literature and Film 3 Credits
- ENG 326 Special Topics in English Credit Varies
- ENG 330 Literature of Foreign Cultures 3 Credits
- ENG 340 European Literary Masterpieces 3 Credits
- ENG 358 Writing: Process and Product 3 Credits
- ENG 385 Modern British and Irish Literature 3 Credits
- ENG 430 Contemporary Writers 3 Credits
- ENG 426 Special Topics in English Credit Varies
- ENG 440 Diversity in Drama 3 Credits
- ENG 455 Advanced Analytical Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 490 Gender and Literature 3 Credits
- Foreign Language/ Intermediate Language Level I 3 Credits
Advanced Writing Courses
The following writing courses may be taken at an Advanced Level (300 level) by students who have successfully completed the course at the 200 level and have the permission of the instructor. The Advanced course may be taken concurrently with the 200 level course or as an independent study. These credits may count towards a Minor in writing.
- ENG 235 Peer Tutoring of Writing 3 Credits
- ENG 274 Creative Writing: Fiction 3 Credits
- ENG 275 Creative Writing: Poetry 3 Credits
- ENG 276 Creative Writing: Scriptwriting for Theater and the Electronic Media 3 Credits
- ENG 277 Creative Nonfiction Essay Writing 3 Credits
Suggested Four-Year Curriculum: 122 Credits (125 credits if Lang 101 is needed)
INT 101 1 Credit | ENG 102 3 Credits |
ENG 101 3 Credits | Literature Core*/Elective 3 Credits |
Social Science Core 3 Credits | Fine Arts Core 3 Credits |
Foreing Lang Core or 101 3 Credits | General Elective/Minor Course 3 Credits |
THEO 104 3 Credits | Foreign Lang Core or General Elective 3 Credits |
Math Core 3 Credits | |
Sophomore Fall (15 Credits) |
Sophomore Spring (16 Credits) |
ENG 230 (Core)* or ENG Writing Elective 3 Credits | ENG 204 (Core)* or ENG Writing Elective 3 Credits |
History Core 3 Credits | ENG 300 3 Credits |
PHIL 102 3 Credits | HUM 200 3 Credits |
General Elective or Minor Elective 6 Credits | Science Core 4 Credits |
General Elective/Minor Course 3 Credits | |
Junior Fall (15 Credits) |
Junior Spring (15 Credits) |
ENG 375 or ENG 365 or ENG 420 3 Credits | ENG Elective (Modern/Multicultural) 3 Credits |
ENG 320 or ENG 360 3 Credits | ENG 380 3 Credits |
ENG 310 3 Credits | Upper THEO or Upper PHIL 3 Credits |
Upper PHIL or Upper THEO 3 Credits | General Elective/Minor Course 3 Credits |
General Elective or Minor Course 3 Credits | A&S 495 3 Credits |
Senior Fall (15 Credits) |
Senior Spring (15 Credits) |
ENG 365 or ENG 420 or ENG 375 3 Credits | ENG Elective (300 or 400 Level) 3 Credits |
ENG 360 or ENG 320 3 Credits | ENG Elective (300 or 400 Level) 3 Credits |
ENG 405 3 Credits | ENG 400 3 Credits |
HUM 460 3 Credits | General Elective/Minor Course 6 Credits |
General Elective or Minor Course 3 Credits |
TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS UPON GRADUATION 122
54 major credits, (3 of which also fulfill Core Lit), 38 other Core, 30 Gen. Electives
* Since the requirement ENG 230/204 also satisfies CORE, English majors are encouraged to take any 200-level literature course during Freshman spring, as these count as electives in the English major. A 100-level literature course does not count toward the major and would only be a General Elective. Majors are encouraged to take additional electives in English (or a minor) vs. isolated general electives esp. if considering graduate school.