English (B.A.)
The study of literature and writing deepens students’ understanding of the moral questions at the center of the human experience and of our shared humanity across cultures and across time. Marymount’s English major and minor develop students’ range of experience and cultural understanding by examining texts that represent a variety of points of view and historical perspectives. It also provides students with valuable skills in writing, analysis, and critical thinking.
The English major and minor provide preparation for entry into graduate study, professional schools, and a wide variety of meaningful career fields, including research, creative, editorial, teaching, advocacy, and governmental fields. English majors have the option of choosing a track in literature, media and performance studies, or writing, or a secondary-teaching licensure program.
Through the literature and writing courses required for the major, students develop valuable writing, critical reading, and research skills. The study of literature provides tools of critical analysis, awareness of major authors and literary traditions, and insight into how literary developments mirror and influence major societal developments. The writing courses teach the principles of clear and effective writing for a variety of purposes and audiences.
All English majors complete an internship, which provides valuable practical experience and the opportunity to apply skills in a professional context. In addition to the required internship, seniors must successfully complete a senior research seminar.
By choosing minors in such areas as gender and society, media and performance, writing, politics, and psychology, students can prepare themselves to apply their skills in the professional world. The English major, meanwhile, is a lifelong resource in its provision of a broad liberal arts education.
Upon successful completion of the English program, students will be able to
- respond to a literary text in a way that reflects an awareness of aesthetic values, historical context, ideological orientation, and critical approach;
- write coherent, well-organized essays that establish a clear focus, provide appropriate evidence, and are grammatically correct;
- conduct appropriate research and synthesize their own original ideas with those advanced by literary critics and other scholars;
- demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of their own writing process;
- analyze literary works — in all genres — with respect to structure, style, and theme;
- demonstrate information and technological literacy in research and competence in Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation; and
- deliver oral presentations that are focused, well-organized, and effective and that establish a connection with the audience.
A minor in English is also available. Please see the School of Humanities minors section for details.
Residency Requirements: Students must complete at least 21 credits in English at Marymount. Those credits must include EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study; EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice or EN 240 Introduction to Film and Visual Studies; three credits in English at the 400 level; and nine additional credits at the 300 level or above.
Literature Track
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. English majors will satisfy part of the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement through: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study and EN 424 Senior Seminar. In addition, majors on the literature track must take EN 490 Major Author(s).
Literature Track Requirements
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 308 | Style and Revision * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| EN 490 | Major Author(s) * | 3 |
Literature Track Electives
Take nine (9) credits from the following:
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
Literature Track Electives
Take six (6) credits in electives numbered EN 202 or above.
Take nine (9) credits in electives numbered EN 321 or above.
Sample Degree Plan — English (Literature Track)
Year One — Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Introductory History (HI-1) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended * | |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Two — Fall
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
| | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
| | |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Three — Fall
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| | |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective at the 200 level or above | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 308 | Style and Revision * | 3 |
| | |
| | Two (2) major electives - EN 321 or above | |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective at the 200 level or above | |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| EN 490 | Major Author(s) * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective - EN 321 or above | |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Media and Performance Track
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. English majors will satisfy part of the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement through: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study and EN 424 Senior Seminar. In addition, majors on the media and performance studies track must take EN 321 Modern Drama or EN 240 Introduction to Film and Visual Studies.
Media and Performance Track Requirements
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| EN 240 | Introduction to Film and Visual Studies * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 207 | Theater History * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 220 | The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema * | 3 |
| | |
| AH 201 | Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval | 3 |
| OR | |
| AH 202 | Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern | 3 |
| | |
| EN 321 | Modern Drama * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 355 | Shakespeare * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| EN 429 | Studies in Performance * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| OR | |
| GMD 404 | Performance Media Lab * | 3 |
Media and Performance Track Electives
Take an additional twelve (12) credits in literature, six (6) credits above EN 300.
Media and Performance Track Electives
Take nine (9) credits from the following:
| EN 212 | Topics in Acting | 3 |
| EN 235 | Digital and Nonlinear Storytelling * | 3 |
| EN 270 | Approaches to Creative Writing * | 3 |
| EN 360 | Book Histories, Book Futures * | 3 |
| EN 305 | Topics in Creative Writing * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 390 | Digital Projects in the Humanities * | 1-3 |
| OR | |
| HU 390 | Digital Projects in the Humanities * | 1-3 |
| | |
| COMM 101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 204 | Video Production: Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| GMD 202 | Illustration I * | 3 |
| GMD 203 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| GMD 205 | Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication | 3 |
| GMD 308 | Web and Social Media Design | 3 |
Media and Performance Track Electives
Take three (3) credits from the following:
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
Sample Degree Plan — English (Media and Performance Track)
Year One — Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Introductory History (HI-1) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended * | |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Two — Fall
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| EN 240 | Introduction to Film and Visual Studies * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
| | |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| EN 207 | Theater History * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 220 | The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema * | 3 |
| | |
| | One (1) support skills major elective | |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| EN 321 | Modern Drama * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 355 | Shakespeare * | 3 |
| | |
| AH 201 | Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval | 3 |
| OR | |
| AH 202 | Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern | 3 |
| | |
| | One (1) support skills major elective | |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
EN 321 or EN 355: LT-2 core course
FA 201 or FA 202: FNA core course
Year Three — Spring
| | One (1) major elective | |
| | One (1) major elective at the 300-level or above | |
| | One (1) support skills major elective | |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| OR | |
| GMD 404 | Performance Media Lab * | 3 |
| | |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective at the 300-level or above | |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| EN 429 | Studies in Performance * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective | |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Writing Track
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. English majors will satisfy part of the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement through: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study and EN 424 Senior Seminar. In addition, majors on the writing track must take EN 301 The Writing Process and EN 308 Style and Revision.
Writing Track Requirements
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| EN 211 | Principles of Language | 3 |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| EN 308 | Style and Revision * | 3 |
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
Writing Track Electives
Take three (3) credits in support skills electives in digital publishing.
Writing Track Electives
Take six (6) credits from the following:
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
Writing Track Electives
Take three (3) credits in advanced literature (LT-2). See Liberal Arts Core requirements for more information.
Writing Track Electives
Take twelve (12) credits in English and/or communication writing courses.
| EN 270 | Approaches to Creative Writing * | 3 |
| EN 303 | Literary Nonfiction * | 3 |
| EN 305 | Topics in Creative Writing * | 3 |
| COMM 209 | Contemporary Journalism * | 3 |
| COMM 302 | Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques | 3 |
| COMM 307 | Broadcast Writing and Delivery | 3 |
| COMM 315 | Writing for Digital Media * | 3 |
Sample Degree Plan — English (Writing)
Year One — Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Introductory History (HI-1) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended * | |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Two — Fall
| EN 200 | Approaches to Literary Study * | 3 |
| | |
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
| | |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| EN 211 | Principles of Language | 3 |
| | |
| EN 202 | Global Literary Voices I * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 204 | Global Literary Voices II * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 230 | American Voices * | 3 |
| OR | |
| EN 231 | Literature of the British Isles * | 3 |
| | |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| | One (1) support skills major elective | |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| EN 308 | Style and Revision * | 3 |
| | Two (2) major electives - writing | |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| EN 424 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| OR | |
| GMD 404 | Performance Media Lab * | 3 |
| | |
| | One (1) major elective - writing | |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| EN 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| | One (1) major elective - writing | |
| | Three (3) electives | 9 |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.