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College of Arts & Sciences > Department of English > Undergraduate Handbook

                           undergraduate handbook

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK

 

 

Why Major in English?

side from fostering appreciation of literature and the enriching cultures that inspire it, the undergraduate degree in English opens a door to a wide variety of rewarding and potentially lucrative occupations. Recent research has corroborated what English majors themselves have learned during their professional careers: the degree that helped them learn to observe closely, analyze thoughtfully, write clearly, and speak effectively has helped them to succeed in a variety of professions requiring these skills. Recent surveys of 53 law schools, 37 medical schools, 43 governmental organizations, and almost 400 industrial organizations have confirmed that English majors have become valuable participants in the fields of law, medicine, state and federal government, and business.* Because insightful observation, clarity of expression, and effective communication are essential in so many professions, English majors find themselves poised for success in many fields and are especially appreciated by law schools, medical schools, and other graduate schools.

Not only are English majors prepared for success in these specialized areas, they are also adequately prepared to enter the work force directly, not only in traditional occupations such as editing, free-lance writing, teaching, and journalism, but also in the less-traditional “English” areas of business and state and federal government.  Here, English majors currently excel in marketing and management positions, informational positions, project development, and public relations, in addition to other areas. Many corporations find English majors to be promising employees because of their communication and organizational skills, their insightful analytical abilities, and their capacity to synthesize information. America’s largest employer, the federal government, also hires college English graduates who have not yet received specialized training to fill some of the approximately 300,000 positions available each year. Many of these positions require the excellent language and communication skills that English majors possess.

While a college degree is only one factor influencing success, a degree in English certainly provides a student with many possible options for professional employment. These options encompass a wide variety of fields from teaching to medicine, allowing for career flexibility during times of job volatility. Even more importantly, however, English majors have the opportunity to study great literature that explores the essence of cultural and human experience and reaches into the related areas of history, philosophy, psychology, linguistics, and religion to examine the world and our place in it. Such study is enriching in itself, connecting the student as it does with the fundamental ideas and struggles of humanity.

*Statistics and figures are taken from Linwood, E. Orange, English: The Pre-Professional Major. 4th ed. New York: MLA, 1986 as cited in the Florida State University Undergraduate Handbook. <http://english.fsu.edu.undergraduate/majoring.html>. 31 Jan 2002.

What are some of the careers I can pursue with an English Major?

 

What graduate school opportunities are available to me?

 

 

tudents declare a major in English by either of two methods. New students often declare their major when they are entering the university. That declaration takes place in the initial application and registration process and is handled by the Admissions Office. Some students are not sure what major they want when they enter college, so they are listed as Liberal Arts Studies (LAS) students until they declare their majors. Students with declared majors in fields other than English may decide to change their majors to English. Those students, and the LAS students who whish to declare their majors in English, must visit the English Department office and complete a Student Data Change Form.

WHY IS ADVISING SO IMPORTANT?

college education is more than a series of classes that make up a degree program. Each course builds upon previous coursework to develop continuity in the student’s course of study. Therefore, majoring in English requires a plan. That plan is developed through advising. Good planning is important when taking core courses, but careful attention to the advising process is critical once the student embarks on work in the major. Advising is a relationship between the student and a faculty member. Student’s look to their  advisors for guidance in course selection and sequencing. In some cases, specific courses are offered during only one semester each year or only once every two years. A positive working relationship between the student and the advisor assures the student the best opportunity to take the proper courses at the proper times.

CURRICULUM AND TRACKS

 

All English majors follow the same core curriculum, but each student may then decide what track to follow for his or her interests. The core curriculum includes courses that all students in the university must take: composition, math, history, literature, science and other required courses, plus courses designed to introduce the student to the major.

The core curriculum for English majors includes six areas and amounts to 60 semester hours of course credit:

 

Why does the English Department have a foreign language requirement?

Any study of English is, by definition, a study of how language works. By studying a foreign language, majors get a broader understanding of the things that make up language. They see the relationship of different cultures on language and the relationship of language on cultures. Successfully completing Area F courses will satisfy the foreign language requirement for English majors.

What is the Regents’ Testing Program? When should I take the tests?

Each student in the university must take the Georgia State Board of Regents reading test and writing test. These tests are basic competency tests mandated by the Georgia legislature. Both tests are best taken after completion of the first semester of English composition, but may be taken any time before the student has earned 45 cumulative credit hours. After 45 semester hours, the student will be required to take a Regents’ test preparation class for each test not successfully completed. The university may deny registration to those students who have not taken the test prior to 45 hours. 

What are the legislative requirements for Georgia and U. S. history?

 

Students completing History 2111 or 2112 and Political Science 1101 at VSU automatically comply with the legislative requirements for knowledge of Georgia and United States history. Transfer students may comply but must work with their advisors to verify course work. Students who have not taken the above courses (because of transfers or the CLEP program) may take the Georgia history and U. S. Constitution exemption tests by contacting the History department of the university.

Senior College Curriculum

 

 When students complete the core curriculum, they begin taking senior college classes (also known as upper division courses). The English Department offers several tracks for English majors. All of the tracks have common coursework considered to be essential for all English majors, but each track allows majors to focus on particular areas of interest.

• Traditional Track: Traditional track students study British, American, and world literature and criticism and may also select courses in journalism, creative writing, and linguistics. Students completing this track may be qualified for careers in teaching, administration, public relations, foreign service, professional writing, and many others.

• Journalism Track: Journalism students concentrate their efforts on news writing, layout, and design to prepare for a career in publishing. Journalism students may also work on The Spectator, the university newspaper. Students completing this track may find themselves in careers in the print media, in radio or television, in public relations, in advertising, in government, or in corporations.

• Creative Writing Track: Students interested in creative writing study fiction, poetry, and theory. Many choose to submit their work to the university’s literary magazine, Odradek, or to work on the magazine’s staff. Students completing this track often work as professional writers, screenwriters, playwrights, or teachers.

• Professional Writing Track: Students in the professional writing track take courses in business, technical, and legal writing, and they study desktop publishing and the history of language. Students finishing this track pursue careers in technical writing, business writing, research, marketing, public relations, publishing, and other related fields.

What track should I choose?

English majors who intend to teach English or who wish to explore literature and linguistics from a broad perspective should choose the traditional track. Students interested in pursuing careers in journalism may wish to focus their efforts in the journalism track. Likewise, students wanting to write or teach creative writing select that track, and students seeking careers in technical writing and similar areas should select the professional writing track. While each track allows focus on specific areas of inquiry, students will receive a broad-based preparation in English with any track they choose.

What are electives, and why should I take them?

All students are required to take electives. Electives are intended to help broaden the student’s education and to help the student explore other areas of interest. Electives require as much serious consideration as courses in the major. Good advising helps schedule electives so that they enhance the student’s education.

How do I get an advisor?

The English Department office assigns advisors based on the student’s track, but when a student has a preference for a particular advisor, every effort will be made to assign that advisor to the student.

What are my responsibilities as a student?

No advisor can know what the student’s needs and preferences may be unless the student discusses them. Each student has the ultimate responsibility for his or her educational decisions. Since most students, even upper division students, have limited experience planning a curriculum of study that properly sequences coursework and plans for infrequently offered courses, they need to make sure that they have a close working relationship with their advisors. Advisors have experience advising students and can help avoid pitfalls, but they cannot help students who do not take an active part in the advising process. Therefore, students should carefully study their coursework and obligations outside of class and attend advising sessions prepared to discuss the classes they want to take, the extracurricular activities in which they are engaged, and other factors that may be a factor in planning their class schedules.

What do the course numbers indicate about the courses?

Students entering the university should familiarize themselves with the way courses are numbered, with the concepts of pre-requisites and co-requisites, and with the progression of skills and studies needed to move through a field of study. Courses in the English Department are numbered from 1000 to 4999 for undergraduate courses, from 5000 to 6999 for mixed graduate and upper division courses, and from 7000-9999 for graduate courses. The following table gives a more specific breakdown of courses:

Course Numbering

COURSE NUMBER	Description of Courses	COURSE	OUTCOME
1000-2999	Lower Division under-graduate courses. These courses are basic composition and literature courses intended to form the basic core-curriculum for all students.	Composition courses teach writing at the collegiate level, including an understanding of the essay form, the process of writing, the development of standard written English, and the understanding of basic research writing skills. Literature courses expose students to a broad base of world literature and require an ability to read and think critically about literature.	Students successfully completing the coursework in the core curriculum in English are expected to have a basic understanding and ability to read and write critically in the collegiate environment. Students will be prepared to take on upper division English coursework.
3000-4999	Upper Division under-graduate courses are advanced English courses, many of which focus more narrowly on specific areas of composition, creative writing, literature, and journalism.	These courses develop skills and knowledge in the specific tracks of study chosen by English majors. Traditional track majors become conversant in world and American literature	Students completing a successful course of study in these classes should, with additional requirements being met, qualify for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
5000-6999	Mixed Upper Division and Graduate courses are reserved for those students who have either completed an undergraduate degree or who are nearing graduation.	To enter these courses, students must have completed undergraduate classes that provide the fundamentals. Students will be called upon to exhibit advanced critical writing skills and must be able to participate in advanced discussions and oral presentations.	Undergraduates completing these courses will receive a firm foundation in work at the graduate level. These students will be able to get an idea of the work required to pursue an advanced degree in English.
7000-9999	Graduate level courses are reserved for those students enrolled in the Graduate School. Undergraduate students are not registered in these classes.	These courses require a bachelor’s degree and admission to the Graduate School. Students must display advanced skills in composition, research, logic, critical thinking, and critical reading.	These courses prepare the student to complete oral and written exams required for a graduate degree in English and prepare the student to write a well-documented graduate thesis.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

 

A prerequisite is a course that must be successfully completed prior to taking another course. A co-requisite is a course that must be taken during the same semester as another course. Please read course descriptions carefully to be sure these requirements are satisfied. Ignoring prerequisite and co-requisite requirements may result in being forced to drop courses.

Curriculum Checklists

The checklists on the following pages are designed to help each English major plan his or her coursework. Record each course taken, the number of semester hours, the hours earned, the grade, and the GPA. The checklists should allow the student to see what coursework is taken and what work remains. Instructions are given at the end of the checklists to figure the GPA.

Core Curriculum Checklist

Bachelor of Arts in English

All Tracks

60 Semester Hours Required

Checklist Instructions: The required coursework for each area of an English major’s core curriculum is listed in the “Core Area” column, and the number of semester hours required are listed in the “Hours” column. When you have completed the course, enter the semester (Fall, Summer, or Spring) in the “Semester” column, the year the course was taken in the “Year” column, and the grade you received in the “Grade “ column. In the points column, enter the number of points earned for the grade (A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, and D= 1 point) multiplied by the number of hours for the class (An A is 4 points X 3 hours=12 points. Any grade of F receives no points and the course (or its equivalent) must be retaken in order for the course to count for that core area.

*               See list of courses available in current undergraduate catalogue.

**             If taken in Area C, select one of the following instead: ENGL 2110, 2120, 2130.

***            English majors must select from the following: ART 1100, COMM 1100, MUSC 1100, THEA 1100, HIST 1011, HIST 1012, HIST 1013, PHIL 2010, PHIL 2020.

Traditional Track Checklist

(39 hours in the major plus 21 hours in minor/free elective courses = 60 hours)

To receive the B. A. in English, students must receive a grade of “C” or better for all courses taken within the English Department.

NOTE: ENGL 2060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 3060; ENGL 3060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 4000-4429.

*              Senior Seminar (ENGL 4900) is open only to majors with senior standing (90+ semester hours).

**            One foreign language course numbered 4000 or above may substitute  for one of these electives.

Journalism Track Checklist

(40 hours in the major plus 20 hours in minor/free elective courses = 60 hours)

To receive the B. A. in English, students must receive a grade of “C” or better for all courses taken within the English Department.

NOTE: ENGL 2060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 3060; ENGL 3060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 4000-4429.

Required ENGL Courses	Hours	Course taken during:		Grade	Points
		Semester	Year
ENGL 3110 (British Lit I)	3
ENGL 3120 (British Lit II)	3
ENGL 3210 (American Lit)	3
ENGL 3400 (Intro to Creative Writing)	3
ENGL 3600 (Intro to Prof. Writing)	1
ENGL 4900 (Senior Seminar) *	3
Required JOUR Courses
JOUR 3080 (Editing)	3
JOUR 3510 (Intro to News Writing)	3
JOUR 3540 (Law & Journalism)	3
JOUR 3570 (Photojournalism)	3
JOUR 4500 (Document Design)	3
JOUR 2500 and / or JOUR 4800 **	3 (min)
Select any two below:
JOUR 4510 (Feature Writing)	3
JOUR 4520 (Literary Journalism)	3
JOUR 4550 (Reporting)	3
3-hour writing course in ENGL or JOUR:	3
Minor / Free Electives (20 hours including 6 hours at or above the 3000 level in a singles discipline outside JOUR and ENGL) Courses:
(List free electives below if more space is needed.)

*              Senior Seminar (ENGL 4900) is open only to majors with senior standing (90+ semester hours).

**            At least 3 sem. hours credit must be earned from one of these courses or from both in combination. See the journalism

                advisor for further information.

Professional Writing Track Checklist

(40 hours in the major plus 20 hours in minor/free elective courses = 60 hours)

To receive the B. A. in English, students must receive a grade of “C” or better for all courses taken within the English Department.

NOTE: ENGL 2060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 3060; ENGL 3060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 4000-4429.

*              Senior Seminar (ENGL 4900) is open only to majors with senior standing (90+ semester hours).

Creative Writing Track Checklist

(40 hours in the major plus 20 hours in minor/free elective courses = 60 hours)

To receive the B. A. in English, students must receive a grade of “C” or better for all courses taken within the English Department.

NOTE: ENGL 2060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 3060; ENGL 3060 is pre- or co-requisite for ENGL 4000-4429.