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The School of Liberal Arts offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English. The B.A. in English provides students interested in examining writing, literature, and culture with a course of study, transferable skills, and a degree that equip them for a variety of careers and vocations, including education, marketing and sales, communications, public relations, journalism, publishing, law, business administration, and more. The English program offers students a flexible, multi-disciplinary course of study via a Teacher Certification track or concentrations in Language and Literature, Writing and Rhetoric, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Students in the program engage in learning experiences that promote high levels of achievement in written and oral communication; in creative and critical thinking; in understanding of diverse perspectives and contexts both regional and global; in understanding and appreciation of literary and artistic movements and works; and in analyzing and understanding behavior from social and literary perspectives.
The major’s requirements consist of three areas of study: a selection of English core courses; concentration or Teacher Certification track courses; and in the Language and Literature, Writing and Rhetoric, and Interdisciplinary Studies concentrations, eighteen hours of general electives. The English core is designed to ensure that students receiving a B.A. in English will share common skills and knowledge related to the study of English needed for a wide range of careers. Concentration and Teacher Certification track courses allow students to further explore areas of specialization. Students pursuing the Teacher Certification track also will take multiple courses offered by the School of Education designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English at the secondary level. English majors outside the Teacher Certification track will have nine hours of general electives at the 2000-4000 level and nine hours of general electives at the 3000-4000 level to further explore topics of interest within or without the English discipline.
Program Outcome Goals
Students who successfully complete the English majors program of study will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of critical and theoretical approaches to the study of literature, language, and the arts.
- Read, interpret, and evaluate texts, especially literary ones, as aesthetic works and sites of cultural production and exchange.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills in and about a variety of media related to the study of literature, language, and culture.
- Demonstrate proficiency in research and scholarly methods.
- Engage with, understand, and supportthe relevance of literature, art, and textual studywithin a globally diverse community.
Concentrations
- English Language and Literature. Students electing the Language and Literature concentration will study the evolution of the English language and the great diversity of literary texts written in English that have influenced and informed culture. Students will explore the themes, traditions, movements and aesthetic beauty of imaginative writings from British and American authors, as well as authors writing outside of the Anglo-American tradition whose work continues to redefine the canon. In an effort to foster an appreciation for the power of creative art on human society, courses are designed to help bring students to an awareness of how literature is positioned within various historical, theoretical and cultural contexts.Through an understanding of literature, students will become more powerful users of language and will develop critical and imaginative thinking skills necessary for success in, and betterment of, human society. View program plan. (PDF)
- English Writing and Rhetoric. The ability to effectively communicate with others is one of the most important factors in determining success in our society. Students who choose the Writing and Rhetoric concentration will develop critical thinking skills and study the art of speaking and writing well in order to better understand and utilize the dynamics of communication. By learning to use logic, reason, and emotional appeal to inform and influence others, students will prepare themselves for careers in fields such as creative writing, journalism, publishing, law, business, education and government. View program plan. (PDF)
- English Interdisciplinary Studies. By providing a strong background in English and the liberal arts, the concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies prepares students for a variety of professional degrees and careers demanding strong communication skills and critical expertise. Students may tailor their major to meet individual personal and professional goals, applying the knowledge and competencies acquired in a traditional English major to the broad range of disciplines offered in the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Business, and the School of Science and Technology. Students electing the Interdisciplinary Studies concentration may lay the foundation for a double major, or a minor in a second discipline, while demonstrating the intellectual curiosity and versatility essential in a rapidly changing professional world. View program plan. (PDF)
- Teacher Certification. Students selecting the Teacher Certification track pursue studies related to the Language and Literature and Writing and Rhetoric concentrations as well as education at the secondary level. Eleven predetermined English courses provide students with both breadth and depth in their English studies and ensure that they acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English at the secondary level while also meeting the outcome standards of the NCTE and the state of Georgia. Students pursuing the Teacher Certification track also take courses in the School of Education and participate in field experiences that provide a foundation for understanding the pedagogy of teaching and prepare them to become successful in the teaching profession. View program plan. (PDF)
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