Degree Requirements

Major Requirements for a BA in English and Communication

The Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communication requires 120 credits.

General Education Requirements (57-58 credits)

In addition to meeting the course requirements for each respective major, all students must also fulfill the General Education requirements for the Undergraduate College. Students may apply 9 credits in their major toward these requirements.

Required English Courses (18 credits)

In addition to the courses below, students must also take two English electives, at least one at the 300 level.

ENG: 0205 Survey of British Literature 1798 to 1920 OR ENG 0223: Major American Writers 1890 to 1940 OR ENG 0395: Modern American Literature

ENG: 0205 Survey of British Literature 1798 to 1920: An examination of significant literary works from the Romantic poets through James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

ENG 0223: Major American Writers 1890 to 1940: A survey of Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism in fiction, especially James, Gilman, Chopin, Stephen Crane, Robinson, Fitzgerald, and Eliot. Offered every third year. (3 credits)

ENG 0395: Modern American Literature: This seminar will survey American writing between the wars, considering the works but not limited to Frost, Cummings, Stevens, Williams, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner. We will aim to identify and study key literary movements and the texts within these movements which help to define “American literature” for years to come. More so, students will critically read and discuss these texts and authors to research the major roles each has played in shaping modern American literature to our current day. In addition, the course attempts to place these writers and their works within the context of the most important literary movements of the time. Students will be able to pinpoint similarities in style, technique, as well as trace literary themes. (3 credits)

ENG 0302: Shakespeare

A close and comprehensive study of the artistry and continuing vitality of William Shakespeare through the consideration of his literature, literary celebrity, modern and contemporary interpretations, and marketing through performance and film. Crosslisted as THE-0302. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205, or POI (3 credits)

ENG 0370: Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture

This course is designed to be an introduction to advanced literary and cultural studies and research; it is thus intended for students majoring in English, Communication, and related disciplines. Students will analyze a variety of critical, historical, and theoretical perspectives; they will thus develop sophisticated research, analytical and writing skills to use in future upper-level English courses. This course is offered every other fall semester. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205 or POI. (3 credits)

ENG 0412: Seminar: Special Topics in Literature

This course rotates each semester between one of several topics at or above the 400 level. (3 credits)

Required Communication Courses (18 credits)

Students must also take two Communication electives (6 credits).

COM 0160: Public Speaking

Sed egestas, ante et vulputate volutpat, eros pede semper est, vitae luctus metus libero eu augue. Morbi purus libero, faucibus adipiscing, commodo quis, gravida id, est. Sed lectus. Praesent elementum hendrerit tortor. Sed semper lorem at felis. Vestibulum volutpat, lacus a ultrices sagittis, mi neque euismod dui, eu pulvinar nunc sapien ornare nisl. Phasellus pede arcu, dapibus eu, fermentum et, dapibus sed, urna.

COM 0263: Writing for the Media

his course will introduce students to the form, style, and content found in written forms of mass media. Students will learn the basics of writing for print and broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising, and new media. Offered every other spring. (3 credits)

COM 0275: Introduction to Mass Media

This introductory course examines the development and impact of mass media in the United States. Prerequisite: None. Offered every other year.

COM 0230: Advertising Copywriting OR COM 0250: Introduction to Journalism OR COM 0255: Magazine Writing

COM 0230: Advertising Copywriting: This course introduces students to essential advertising models, theories, and case studies through application and analyses. Students will to create, disseminate, and evaluate multiple advertising messages across different media. The course will prepare students to outline practical applications and address advertising challenges through strategic planning and execution of communication campaigns. Students will write for print, broadcast, and other media. (3 credits)

COM 0250: Introduction to Journalism: This course examines the nature and definition of news and introduces students to the fundamentals of gathering and writing news stories and features, interviewing, covering a beat, and meeting deadlines. In addition, the course explores the ethical and legal boundaries of journalism and the responsibilities of journalists through readings and discussions about media law and ethics. During the course of the semester, students will submit their work to The Rambler, the College’s student newspaper. Offered every other year. (3 credits)

COM 0255: Magazine Writing: This course introduces students to the skills, techniques, and styles for reporting and writing feature-length, non-fiction articles for magazines. Offered as needed. (3 credits)