Writing and Literature Program

The writing and literature program is based on the principle that the study of literature is essential for students who seek careers in either publishing or journalism or who hope to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in writing. The program blends the study of literature with intensive coursework in writing and offers students the opportunity to focus, at an advanced level, on a particular genre (i.e. literary non-fiction, fiction, poetry, journalism).

1. Rhetorical Knowledge (1 course) Students study rhetoric as the foundation of English studies and learn how to read and interpret a variety of texts as persuasive messages.
2. British Literature (1 course) Students study important British novelists, poets, or dramatists, both canonical and contemporary, and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
3. American Literature (1 course) Students study important American novelists, poets or dramatists, both canonical and contemporary, and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
4. 2000-level or above English department offering (1 course) Students study important American or British novelists, poets, or dramatists, both canonical and contemporary, and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
5. Core writing course (1 course, ENGL2504) Students focus on developing creative non-fiction writing skills required for upper-level courses in this track.
6. 2000-level or above English department writing course(1 course) Depending on individual intrests, students focus on writing in a particular genre.
7. 3000-level or above English department literature offering (1 course) Students deepen their knowledge of the literary canon and theories and practice research at an advanced level.
8. 3000-level English department writing workshop (1 course, ENGL3504) Students focus on writing creative non-fiction at an advanced level.
9. 3000-level or above English department writing or internship course (1 course) Either through an internship or coursework, students learn how writing skills apply to various professional work environments.
10. Capstone Experience (1 course, ENGL4160) Students create a writing portfolio based on individual interests and learn how to submit material for publication.

Requirements for Departmental Program in Writing and Literature

The following courses fulfill the requirement under which they are listed:

1. Rhetorical Knowledge (1 course)

• ENGL1208 Persuasive Strategies and Rhetorical Traditions

2. British Literature (1 course)

• ENGL2101 English Literature I
• ENGL2102 English Literature II
• ENGL2106 Irish Identities: Literature and Culture
• ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
• ENGL2406 The Rise of the British Novel
• ENGL2408 Modern British Novel: Empire and After

3. American Literature (1 course)

• ENGL2303 The Modern American Novel
• ENGL2304 American Voices I: U.S. Literature to 1865
• ENGL2413 African American Literature: A Tradition of Resistance
• ENGL2604 American Voices II: U.S. Literature Since 1865

4. 2000-level or above English department literature offering (1 course)

• ENGL2101 English Literature I
• ENGL2102 English Literature II
• ENGL2303 The Modern American Novel
• ENGL2304 American Voices I: U.S. Literature to 1865
• ENGL2305 Writing Women
• ENGL2309 The Haves and Have-Nots: American Authors on Money, Class and Power
• ENGL2321 Performing Gender
• ENGL2323 Short Fiction
• ENGL2325 Spirituality and the Literary Imagination
• ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
• ENGL2406 The Rise of the British Novel
• ENGL2408 Modern British Fiction: Empire and After
• ENGL2409 The Political Novel
• ENGL2413 African American Literature: A Tradition of Resistance
• ENGL2604 American Voices II: U.S. Literature Since 1865
• ENGL2701 Literature and Film

5. 2000-level or above English department writing course (1 courses)

• ENGL2504 Prose Writing

6. 3000-level or above English department writing course (1 course)

• ENGL2501 Journalism
• ENGL2506 Poetry Writing
• ENGL2507 Fiction Writing
• ENGL2521 Public Relations Writing
• ENGL3501 Writing for the Electronic Media
• ENGL3801 Feature Writing

7. 3000-level or above English department literature offering (1 course)

• ENGL3301 The American West in Film and Literature
• ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
• ENGL3305 Satire
• ENGL3309 Characters of the Long 18th Century
• ENGL3601 Crime Stories and American Culture
• ENGL3701 Media Theory
• ENGL3703 Critical Theory and the Academy
• ENGL3705 Monsters, Madness and Mayhem: The Gothic Tradition in Film and Literature
• ENGL3991 Special Topics I
• ENGL3992 Special Topics II
• ENGL4178 Directed Study

8. 3000-level English department writing workshop (1 course)

• ENGL3504 Advanced Prose Writing

9. 3000-level or above English department writing course (1 course)

• ENGL3501 Writing for the Electronic Media
• ENGL3801 Feature Writing
• ENGL3804 Critical Approaches to Organizational Communication
• ENGL4994 Internship

10. Capstone Experience (1 course)

• ENGL4160 Writing Seminar

Students in the Writing and Literature track are strongly encouraged to complete an internship in addition to the 10-course requirement.