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English Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in English requires 120 credits.

General Education Requirements (57 to 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.

Click the tabs below to view degree requirements for the English Literature, Writing, and English Education (7-12) tracks.

English Literature Track 

Required Courses (21 credits)

The course focuses on readings from the so-called “Middle Ages” from Boethius to Chaucer. Includes a component on the translation of Old English. Prerequisite: ENG 0204 or POI (3 credits)

An examination of significant literary works from the Romantic poets through James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

ENG 0222: Major American Writers to 1890: A survey of Colonial, Romantic, and Regional American writing with an emphasis on Franklin, Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, Jewett, Freeman among others. Offered every third year. (3 credits)

ENG 0223: Major American Writers 1890-1940: 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)

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. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205, or POI (3 credits)

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. Offered every other fall semester. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205 or POI. (3 credits)

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

ENC 0305: Publication: This course provides academic credit for students responsible for the development and production of Rosemont College's literary publication, Thorn. Prerequisites: One year of previous work on a student publication, appointment to the position of editor, asst. editor or managing production officer for one of Rosemont’s student publications and permission of instructor. (3 credits)

ENG 0420: Internship: 3 credits

English Elective Courses (18 credits)

At least two electives must be above the 200- level. With the advisor’s approval, students may also take a course in creative writing as an elective. In addition to these course requirements, Senior English majors must successfully complete the senior comprehensive requirements.

Required Supporting Courses (3 credits)

Students may choose to take WRT 0240 Business Writing OR a Communication writing course chosen with the student’s advisor OR a Writing-Intensive Communication course.

Recommended Supporting Courses

Students will meet with their advisors, spring semester of their junior year, to discuss complementary or supporting courses the student will need to take to support their senior comprehensive requirements.

Remaining Electives

The remaining credit hours are electives and can consist of English courses, but need not be limited to this particular discipline. Electives credits make up the remaining hours such that students graduate with 120 credits.

Required Courses for Writing Track

Required Courses (21 credits)

The course focuses on readings from the so-called “Middle Ages” from Boethius to Chaucer. Includes a component on the translation of Old English. Prerequisite: ENG 0204 or POI (3 credits)

An examination of significant literary works from the Romantic poets through James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

ENG 0222: Major American Writers to 1890: A survey of Colonial, Romantic, and Regional American writing with an emphasis on Franklin, Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, Jewett, Freeman among others. Offered every third year. (3 credits)

ENG 0223: Major American Writers 1890-1940: 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)

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. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205, or POI (3 credits)

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. Offered every other fall semester. Prerequisites: ENG 0204, ENG 0205 or POI. (3 credits)

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

ENC 0305: Publication: This course provides academic credit for students responsible for the development and production of Rosemont College's literary publication, Thorn. Prerequisites: One year of previous work on a student publication, appointment to the position of editor, asst. editor or managing production officer for one of Rosemont’s student publications and permission of instructor. (3 credits)

ENG 0420: Internship: 3 credits

Additional Requirements (6 credits)

In Advanced Composition and Oral Communication, students will build upon the writing, research, and analytical skills he/she developed in First-Year Writing. Through a consideration of a range of genres, styles, and audiences, students will use their critical-thinking and research skills to craft both written and oral arguments. Assignments will include papers, short writing assignments, oral presentations, and a final group project. Prerequisite: WRT 0110. This course fulfills a Core Skills requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. (3 credits)

Business Writing is designed for students from a range of majors to learn the necessary rhetorical and research skills needed for their professional careers. Assignments will include business letters, memos, reports, proposals, and collaborative projects. The subject-centered focus of the course will vary each semester at the instructor’s discretion. This course is offered spring semesters. Prerequisite: WRT0110. (3 credits)

Two Courses, Chosen From:

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The workshop format of this course will allow students to read and discuss each other’s work as well as a range of short fiction from established writers—contemporary and classic. With a focus on individual goals, students will create a portfolio to include flash fiction as well as short stories of varying lengths, including a chapter for a longer text. Offered every third year. (3 credits)
Students write and discuss their own projects in poetry. Offered every third year. (3 credits)
A course for students to write an original play and then direct their own script. Offered every third year. (3 credits)

Two Courses, Chosen From:

Students will develop, shoot, edit, and exhibit documentary-based films on a variety of subjects. The course will culminate with a class-generated film. In addition, each student will work on his or her own documentary films throughout the semester. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor. (3 credits)
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. (3 credits)
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)
This 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)

Students who wish to pursue certification to be an English teacher (grades 7-12) must major in English and complete a specific set of Education courses. Click here to view the Education requirements.


Requirements for a Minor in English (18 credits)

ENG 0204: Survey of British Literature Medieval to 1798: The course focuses on readings from the so-called “Middle Ages” from Boethius to Chaucer. Includes a component on the translation of Old English. Prerequisite: ENG 0204 or POI (3 credits)

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)

OR

ENG 0222: Major American Writers to 1890: A survey of Colonial, Romantic, and Regional American writing with an emphasis on Franklin, Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, Jewett, Freeman among others. Offered every third year. (3 credits)

ENG 0223: Major American Writers 1890-1940: 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)

  • Plus four English elective courses (12 credits)