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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 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

 

EN 301The Writing Process: Theory and Practice *

3

OR

EN 308Style and Revision *

3

 

EN 400Internship *

3

EN 424Senior Seminar *

3

EN 490Major Author(s) *

3

Literature Track Electives

Take nine (9) credits from the following:
EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

EN 230American Voices *

3

EN 231Literature 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 101Composition I *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 101: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

EN 102Composition 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

EN 102: WR core course

HI 103, HI 104: HI-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

 

EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American Voices *

3

OR

EN 231Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

One (1) elective

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

EN 200: DSINQ and WI course

EN 202: LT-1 core course

EN 204: GP and LT-1 core course

EN 230: LT-1 core course

EN 231: LT-1 core course

Year Two — Spring

EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American Voices *

3

OR

EN 231Literature 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 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American 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 301The Writing Process: Theory and Practice *

3

OR

EN 308Style 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 424Senior 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

EN 424: DSINQ and WI course

Year Four — Spring

EN 400Internship *

3

EN 490Major Author(s) *

3

One (1) major elective - EN 321 or above

Two (2) electives

6

EN 400: EXP course

EN 490: DSINQ, WI, and LT-2 core course

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 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

EN 240Introduction to Film and Visual Studies *

3

 

EN 207Theater History *

3

OR

EN 220The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema *

3

 

AH 201Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval

3

OR

AH 202Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern

3

 

EN 321Modern Drama *

3

OR

EN 355Shakespeare *

3

 

EN 400Internship *

3

EN 429Studies in Performance *

3

 

EN 424Senior Seminar *

3

OR

GMD 404Performance 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 212Topics in Acting

3

EN 235Digital and Nonlinear Storytelling *

3

EN 270Approaches to Creative Writing *

3

EN 360Book Histories, Book Futures *

3

EN 305Topics in Creative Writing *

3

 

EN 390Digital Projects in the Humanities *

1-3

OR

HU 390Digital Projects in the Humanities *

1-3

 

COMM 101Public Speaking

3

COMM 204Video Production: Multimedia Communication

3

GMD 202Illustration I *

3

GMD 203Digital Photography

3

GMD 205Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

3

GMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

Media and Performance Track Electives

Take three (3) credits from the following:
EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

EN 230American Voices *

3

EN 231Literature of the British Isles *

3

Sample Degree Plan — English (Media and Performance Track)

Year One — Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 101: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

EN 102Composition 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

EN 102: WR core course

HI 103, HI 104: HI-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

EN 240Introduction to Film and Visual Studies *

3

 

EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American Voices *

3

OR

EN 231Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

EN 200: DSINQ and WI course

EN 202: LT-1 core course

EN 204: GP and LT-1 core course

EN 230: LT-1 core course

EN 231: LT-1 core course

Year Two — Spring

EN 207Theater History *

3

OR

EN 220The 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 321Modern Drama *

3

OR

EN 355Shakespeare *

3

 

AH 201Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval

3

OR

AH 202Introduction 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 424Senior Seminar *

3

OR

GMD 404Performance 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

EN 424: DSINQ and WI course

Year Four — Spring

EN 400Internship *

3

EN 429Studies in Performance *

3

One (1) major elective

Two (2) electives

6

EN 400: EXP core course

EN 429: DSINQ, WI, and LT-2 course

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 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

EN 211Principles of Language

3

EN 301The Writing Process: Theory and Practice *

3

EN 308Style and Revision *

3

EN 400Internship *

3

EN 424Senior Seminar *

3

Writing Track Electives

Take three (3) credits in support skills electives in digital publishing.
GMD 103Adobe Photoshop

1

GMD 104Adobe Illustrator

1

GMD 105Video Editing

1

GMD 106Motion Graphics

1

GMD 200Digital Publishing

3

GMD 305Publication Design

3

GMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

GMD 404Performance Media Lab *

3

IT 125Web Development

3

Writing Track Electives

Take six (6) credits from the following:
EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

EN 230American Voices *

3

EN 231Literature 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 270Approaches to Creative Writing *

3

EN 303Literary Nonfiction *

3

EN 305Topics in Creative Writing *

3

COMM 209Contemporary Journalism *

3

COMM 302Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

3

COMM 307Broadcast Writing and Delivery

3

COMM 315Writing for Digital Media *

3

Sample Degree Plan — English (Writing)

Year One — Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 101: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

EN 102Composition 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

EN 102: WR core course

HI 103, HI 104: HI-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study *

3

 

EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American Voices *

3

OR

EN 231Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

One (1) elective

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

EN 200: DSINQ and WI course

EN 202: LT-1 core course

EN 204: GP and LT-1 core course

EN 230: LT-1 core course

EN 231: LT-1 core course

Year Two — Spring

EN 211Principles of Language

3

 

EN 202Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 204Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 230American Voices *

3

OR

EN 231Literature 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 301The 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

EN 301: DSINQ and WI course

Year Three — Spring

EN 308Style 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 424Senior Seminar *

3

OR

GMD 404Performance 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

EN 424: DSINQ and WI course

Year Four — Spring

EN 400Internship *

3

One (1) major elective - writing

Three (3) electives

9

EN 400: EXP core course

EN 429: DSINQ, WI, and LT-2 course

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.