English
2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog | Catalogs

Students who major in English will undertake a course of study designed to develop knowledge in literary trends, themes, and genres as well as skills in critical interpretation and written communication. In advanced courses, students will investigate the structure, style, intellectual content, historical significance, and cultural context of the literature produced primarily in Great Britain and the United States as well as the literature of other cultures in translation. This extensive textual study will foster appreciation of diverse cultural values and of the means by which culture is transmitted through language.

The English faculty has designed the curriculum in the firm belief that acquiring this knowledge and these skills is not only rewarding in itself but also valuable to students with a variety of goals, such as pursuing graduate degrees in English literature and language; teaching English in secondary schools; entering professional schools in such areas as law, medicine, technology, or business; working in any field for which cultural awareness and strong analytical, interpretive, research, and writing skills are desired. Students majoring in other disciplines may choose to minor in English. Although not as extensive as the major curriculum, the minor will also develop cultural knowledge and critical communication skills that complement a student’s work in any of the other academic majors in the University.

Major in English Literature leading to a BA degree

The major consists of twelve courses in English literature, six core courses and six electives. Five of the core courses, Eng 205, 210, 211, 212, 213, have no prerequisites and may be taken by freshmen; however, students whose Roosevelt University Assessment scores indicate a need for basic skills work in reading and writing may have difficulty meeting the demands of the core courses. Students must maintain a 2.5 average in courses applied to the major; composition courses do not count. Transfer students must complete at least 15 semester hours in 300-level English courses at Roosevelt.

Electives should be chosen in close consultation with an advisor, who will recommend that students take courses that include materials from at least three of the following four areas: poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction prose. For students whose expository writing would profit from additional practice, an advisor may also strongly recommend or require English 222 . Students planning a career in secondary education should seriously consider the internship courses in teaching composition or literature.

Requirements for a major in English Literature leading to a BA degree

	Eng 205	Shakespeare	3
	Eng 210	British Literature to 1798	3
	Eng 211	British Literature 1798 to present	3
	Eng 212	American Literature to 1865	3
	Eng 213	American Literature 1865 to present	3
	Eng 220	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3
	Six electives in English literature, five at the 300 level		18

Major in English Leading to a BA Degree

Concentration in Creative Writing

Students interested in this specialty must complete 12 semester hours of English elective credit in the creative writing program. Eng 253 is required; of the remaining three courses, at least two must be workshops in the writing of fiction, poetry, play writing, screen writing, or creative nonfiction. Students may elect to take a course in a significant project approved by a creative writing faculty member, an editing internship with the program’s literary magazine, or a public-service writing internship.

Minor in English

To qualify for the minor, students must complete four of the six courses in the core curriculum and two 300-level electives. Upon completion of Eng 220, students may elect any of the 300-level courses.

	Eng 205	Shakespeare	3
	Eng 220	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3
	Eng 210 or 211		3
	Eng 212 or 213		3
	Two 300-level English electives		6