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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 or EN 183 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 Requirements

See the Liberal Arts Core for details.

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 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

EN 162American Voices *

3

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

Literature Track Electives

Take six (6) credits in electives numbered EN 112 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

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

One (1) elective

3

EN 101: Composition core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year One - Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3

HI History (HI) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended *

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

4

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

One (1) elective - foreign language recommended

EN 102: Composition core course

Year Two - Fall

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study

3

 

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

MA Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

One (1) elective

3

EN 160, 161, 162, 163: LT core course

Year Two - Spring

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Depth in Sciences (DSCI) core course *

3

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

Two (2) electives

6

Year Three - Fall

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

One (1) major elective numbered EN 112 or above

Three (3) electives

9

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

Two (2) electives

6

Year Four - Fall

EN 400Internship

3

EN 424Senior Seminar

3

One (1) major elective numbered EN 112 or above

Two (2) electives

6

 

Year Four - Spring

EN 490Major Author(s) *

3

One (1) major elective - EN 321 or above

Three (3) electives

9

 

Media and Performance Track

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

See the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Media and Performance Track Requirements

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study

3

EN 183Introduction to Film and Visual Studies *

3

 

EN 190Theater History *

3

OR

EN 182The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema *

3

 

AH 101Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval *

3

OR

AH 102Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern *

3

 

EN 321Modern Drama *

3

OR

EN 355Shakespeare *

3

 

EN 400Internship

3

 

EN 424Senior Seminar

3

OR

GMD 404Performance Media Lab

3

 

EN 560Topics in Performance

3

Media and Performance Track Electives

Take three (3) credits from the following:
EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

EN 162American Voices *

3

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

Media and Performance Track Electives

Take nine (9) credits from the following:
EN 112Topics in Acting *

3

EN 181Digital and Nonlinear Storytelling *

3

EN 120Approaches 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

VIS 225Digital Photography

3

GMD 205Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

3

GMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

Media and Performance Track Electives

Take an additional twelve (12) credits in literature, six (6) credits above EN 300.

Sample Degree Plan - English (Media and Performance Track)

Year One - Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

One (1) elective - foreign language recommended

EN 101: Composition core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year One - Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3

HI History (HI) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended *

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

4

One (1) elective - foreign language recommended

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: Composition core course

HI 103, HI 104: HI-1 core course

Year Two - Fall

EN 183Introduction to Film and Visual Studies *

3

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study

3

 

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

MA Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

EN 160, 161, 162, 163: LT core course

Year Two - Spring

EN 182The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema *

3

OR

EN 190Theater History *

3

 

One (1) media & performance track major elective

Depth in Sciences (DSCI) core course *

3

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Year Three - Fall

EN 321Modern Drama *

3

OR

EN 355Shakespeare *

3

 

AH 101Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval *

3

OR

AH 102Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern *

3

 

One (1) media & performance track major elective

Two (2) electives

6

EN 321, 355: DHUM core course

AH 101, 102: FPA core course

Year Three - Spring

One (1) literature major elective

One (1) literature major elective at the 300-level or above

One (1) media & performance track major elective

Two (2) electives

6

Year Four - Fall

EN 424Senior Seminar

3

OR

GMD 404Performance Media Lab

3

 

EN 400Internship

3

One (1) literature major elective at the 300-level or above

Two (2) electives

6

 

Year Four - Spring

EN 429Studies in Performance *

3

One (1) literature major elective

Three (3) electives

9

 

Writing Track

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

See the Liberal Arts Core for details.

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 six (6) credits from the following:
EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

EN 162American Voices *

3

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

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

VIS 224Digital 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 twelve (12) credits in English and/or communication writing courses.

EN 120Approaches 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

Writing Track Electives

Take three (3) credits in literature above EN 300.

Sample Degree Plan — English (Writing)

Year One - Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

One (1) elective - foreign language recommended

EN 101: Composition core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year One - Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3

HI History (HI) core course - HI 103 or HI 104 recommended *

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

4

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

One (1) elective - foreign language recommended

EN 102: Composition core course

HI 103, HI 104: HI core course

Year Two - Fall

EN 200Approaches to Literary Study

3

 

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

MA Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

One (1) elective

3

EN 160, 161, 162, 163: LT core course

Year Two - Spring

EN 211Principles of Language

3

 

EN 160Global Literary Voices I *

3

OR

EN 161Global Literary Voices II *

3

OR

EN 162American Voices *

3

OR

EN 163Literature of the British Isles *

3

 

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

Depth in Sciences (DSCI) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Year Three - Fall

EN 301The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

3

One (1) support skills major elective

Depth in Humanities core course

3

Two (2) electives

6

 

Year Three - Spring

EN 308Style and Revision

3

Two (2) major electives - writing

Two (2) electives

6

EN 303, 305: DHUM core course

Year Four - Fall

EN 424Senior Seminar

3

One (1) major elective - writing

Three (3) electives

9

 

Year Four — Spring

EN 400Internship

3

One (1) major elective - writing

Three (3) electives

9

 

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