Concentration in English Language Arts

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The concentration in English Language Arts is designed to provide students with experience in the study of literature, language, rhetoric, and writing. While it is designed and intended primarily for prospective elementary school teachers, the concentration is open to all students. Students take four required literature courses, two required courses in language and/or rhetoric, and two required courses in writing. The remaining two courses are electives and may be chosen from among the following: any of the English department’s 300- or 400-level literature courses, including, if the student is eligible, one of the Honors seminars (ENGL 49400 ); any of the 300-level Creative Writing workshops for which the student has met the prerequisite(s); any 300- or 400-level courses in linguistics or literatures taught in English in other departments for which the student meets that department’s prerequisite(s); and selected Theatre courses (THEA 16100 , THEA 32100 , THEA 37600 , THEA 37700 , THEA 37800 ) for which the student meets that department’s prerequisite(s). The English department strongly recommends that students choose at least one Language, Writing, or Modern/Contemporary Literature elective course.

This concentration consists of Four parts:

A. Four Required Literature Courses (12 cr.)

ENGL 33800 - Survey of British Literature I: Early Texts To the Eighteenth Century
One course chosen from among the following courses in American Literature:
ENGL 39500 - Survey of American Literature: Origins to the Civil War (W)
-or-
ENGL 39600 - American Prose from Reconstruction to World War I
-or-
ENGL 39700 - Pre-20th Century American Poetry
ENGL 30500 - Studies in Children’s Literature
ENGL 32000 - Multi-Ethnic American Literature (W)

B. Two Required Language and/or Rhetoric Courses (6 cr.)

ENGL 33100 - The Structure of Modern English
one course chosen from among the following:
ENGL 33200 - History of the English Language (W)
-or-
ENGL 33300 - Topics in Language and Linguistics

C. Two Required Courses in Writing (6 cr.)

ENGL 30100 - Theory and Practice of Expository Writing
One course chosen from the following:
ENGL 30000 - Introduction to Creative Writing
-or-
ENGL 30800 - Workshop in Non-Fiction I

Note:

Students must take ENGL 30000 or 30100 before taking ENGL 30800.

D. Two Electives (6 cr.)

Students may choose from among 300- or 400-level courses, including, if the student is eligible, one of the Honors Seminars (ENGL 49400 ). With prior approval of an advisor, students may also choose 300- or 400-level courses in linguistics or literatures taught in English in another department.

Theatre Courses (with approval of English Department Adviser)

With the prior approval of an adviser, students may also choose from among the following Theatre courses:
THEA 16100 - Acting I: Basic Acting Techniques
THEA 32100 - Play Analysis (W)
THEA 37600 - Playwriting I (W)
THEA 37700 - Playwriting II
THEA 37800 - Scriptwriting for Young Audiences: Theatre, Film, and Television

Note:

(Note: Some of the Theatre courses require students to take prerequisite courses in the Theatre department.)

At least one Language, Writing or Modern/Contemporary Literature elective course

It is strongly recommended that students choose at least one Language, Writing, or Modern/Contemporary Literature elective course.

Language, Rhetoric, and Writing choices may include: one of the courses in either category B. or C. (see above)
ENGL 30900 - Workshop in Non-Fiction II (prerequisite is ENGL 30800)
ENGL 31100 - Workshop in Fiction I (prerequisite is ENGL 30000)
ENGL 31400 - Workshop in Poetry I (prerequisite is ENGL 300)