English

English

For centuries, the written word has played a role in documenting society's conflicts and inspiring change.

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird viewed the struggles of the civil rights era through the eyes of an innocent child. The Great Gatsby captured the spirit of Fitzgerald's generation and the decline of the American Dream. Nineteen Eighty-Four introduced "Big Brother" into the lexicon and Alex Haley's Roots gave a name to the anguish of slavery in America.

As an English major at Emmanuel, you will gain a broad overview of major texts and traditions in British, American and World literature. With a focus on developing cultural and rhetorical awareness, as well as speaking, reading and writing skills, you will learn how the written word can be used as a powerful tool to affect change in your own world.

Major Requirements

View the 2017-2018 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.A. in English

1. Literary Methods (one course)

  • ENGL1205 Introduction to Literary Methods

2-4. Foundations in English and American Literature (three courses)

  • ENGL2101 English Literature I
  • ENGL2102 English Literature II
  • ENGL2304 American Voices I: U.S. Literature to 1865
  • ENGL2604 American Voices II: U.S. Literature Since 1865

5. 2000-level English and American Literature (one course)

  • ENGL2106 Irish Identities: Literature and Culture
  • ENGL2303 The Modern American Novel
  • ENGL2309 The Haves and the Have-Nots: American Authors on Money, Class and Power
  • ENGL2321 Love and Gender in British Literature and Film
  • ENGL2323 Short Fiction
  • ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
  • ENGL2406 The Rise of the British Novel
  • ENGL2408 The Modern British Novel: Empire and After
  • ENGL2413 African American Literature: A Tradition of Resistance
  • 4th course from Foundations category above

6. 2000-level Pre-1700 Literature (one course)

  • ENGL2321 Love and Gender in British Literature and Film
  • ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances

7. 2000 or 3000-level World Literature (one course)

  • ENGL2103 Literary Mirrors: Introduction to World Literature
  • ENGL2105 Contemporary Latin American Fiction
  • ENGL2417 Literature of the Black Atlantic
  • ENGL3605 Global Literature and Film

8. Free ENGL Elective or EDUC3318 (one course)

  • EDUC3318 English Language Arts Instructional Methods Grades 6-12 OR Any additional course from English and American Literature

9. 3000-level Literary Period or Tradition (one course)

  • ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
  • ENGL3305 Satire
  • ENGL3309 Characters of the Long 18th Century
  • ENGL3601 Crime Stories and American Culture
  • ENGL3605 Global Literature and Film
  • ENGL3991/3992 Special Topics I & II*
  • *consult with advisor for appropriate section

10. 3000-level Literary and Critical Discourses (one course)

  • ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
  • ENGL3305 Satire
  • ENGL3309 Characters of the Long 18th Century
  • ENGL3601 Crime Stories and American Culture
  • ENGL3703 Critical Theory and the Academy
  • ENGL3707 Film Theory
  • ENGL3991/3992 Special Topics I & II*
  • *consult with advisor for appropriate section

11. 3000-level Literary and Critical Discourses OR ENGL4994/4995 OR EDUC4467 (one course)

  • ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
  • ENGL3305 Satire
  • ENGL3309 Characters of the Long 18th Century
  • ENGL3601 Crime Stories and American Culture
    ENGL3605 Global Literature and Film
  • ENGL3703 Critical Theory and the Academy
  • ENGL3707 Film Theory
  • ENGL3708 Digital Culture
  • ENGL3991/3992 Special Topics I & II*
  • ENGL4994/4995 Internships I or II
  • *consult with advisor for appropriate section

12. Capstone (one course)

  • ENGL4999 Senior Seminar

Minor Requirements

View the 2017-2018 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for Minor in English

  • ENGL1205 Introduction to Literary Methods
  • Four additional literature courses chosen in consultation with the department chair. At least one course must be at the 3000-level.

The minor in English is available to all Emmanuel College students except for Writing, Editing & Publishing majors.

Learning Goals & Outcomes

The English Department prepares students to contribute to scholarly and popular discourses through mastery of the following five goals:

  • Expertise in "close reading" of texts. Students will be able to analyze the form, content, and cultural meanings of works of literature and a wide array of other forms of communication and cultural expressions.
  • Ability to analyze texts in context. Students will be able to understand texts in relation to a variety of contexts, including historical moments, as well as literary, cultural, and theoretical traditions.
  • Ability to conduct in-depth research on complex subjects.
  • Ability to write clear, polished, and persuasive prose.
  • Ability to present ideas effectively through persuasive oral communication.
Academics