English

Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English -- pathways in Literary Studies, Teaching the Language Arts/English Education, Writing Practices
Minor in English
Master of Arts degree with a major in English--emphasis in Literature, Teaching of Writing, Master’s International Program (Peace Corps)
TESL Minor for the MA
College Faculty Preparation Program: English
Certificate Program in College Teaching: English

Department Chair
Susan Bennett, Ph.D.

Department of English
Founders Hall 201
(707) 826-3758
www.humboldt.edu/~english

Please see the department Web site for updates on changes and additions to our programs.

The Program

Students completing this program will have demonstrated:

the ability to read and explicate written english precisely
analysis of literature from several critical perspectives
meaningful use of literary, linguistic, theoretical, and rhetorical terminology
an awareness of structures of power in language, literature, and culture
pleasant and effective writing in a variety of genres according to the accepted conventions of english studies
knowledge of literary movements and writers from a range of historical periods and cultural frameworks
the ability to understand and perform rhetorical strategies to inform, persuade, and argue.

The English major at HSU encompasses perspectives derived from literary theory, contextual knowledge about literature, the analysis of language, the close reading of texts, and written expression. Students take a balance of lecture and small-group instruction. This program is excellent preparation for a wide range of careers, all requiring reasoning ability and skill in the use of language. Students in English do well in many occupations, including magazine or book editor, teacher, critic, library reference worker, and writer in many areas such as technology, business, government, and non-profit organizations.

Preparation

High school students should take four years of English, including composition and literature. Study of a language other than English is recommended.

Requirements for the Major

The English major consists of 16 units of Core Courses, 24 units in Pathways, a Senior Portfolio Seminar, and one year of college-level study of a language other than English. For students in Pathways A (Literary Studies) and B (Writing Practices) only. Students must have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average in the major to graduate.

Core Courses

Students take all of the following:
ENGL 120 Introduction to the English Major
ENGL 220 Literature, Identity, Representation
ENGL 225 Introduction to Language Analysis
ENGL 320 Practical Criticism

Pathways

Students will select one pathway. If on Pathway A or B, students will complete 16 units within that pathway and one additional course from each of the other two pathways. Students on Pathway C, Teaching the Language Arts, must complete all the courses listed for that pathway and an additional depth option. Special topic courses (ENGL 480) may be used in an appropriate pathway depending upon the topic.

A. Literary Studies

ENGL 230 or ENGL 231 Survey of British Literature
ENGL 240 World Literature
ENGL 325 History of the English Language
ENGL 330 American Literature (variable topics)
ENGL 342 Special Topics in Shakespeare
ENGL 350 British Literature
ENGL 360 Topics in Literature/Language
ENGL 370 Literary Field Studies
ENGL 420 Advanced Topics in Critical Theory
ENGL 465 Multicultural Issues in Language and Literature
ENGL 480 Special Topics

B. Writing Practices

ENGL 205 Intro to Creative Writing
ENGL 311 Environmental Writing
ENGL 314 Creative Writing: Nonfiction
ENGL 315 Creative Writing: Fiction
ENGL 316 Creative Writing: Poetry
ENGL 422 Advanced Research Writing
ENGL 460Toyon Literary Magazine
ENGL 470 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
ENGL 480Special Topics

C. Teaching the Language Arts/English Education

Students in this pathway must take all of the following courses:
ENGL 231 Survey of British Literature
ENGL 232 Survey of American Literature
ENGL 328 Structure of American English
ENGL 336 American Ethnic Literature
ENGL 340 Approaches to Shakespeare
ENGL 344 Young Adult Literature
ENGL 406 Theory of Composition
ENGL 406L Technology in English
ENGL 426 Communication in Writing II
ENGL 435 Issues in ESL/EFL
COMM 426 Adolescent Communication

Depth Options (15 units). Choose one of the three options:

1. Literature/Language

ENGL 240 World Literature
ENGL 325 History of English Language
ENGL 420 Advanced Topics in Critical Theory

Electives

2. Creative Writing

ENGL 205 Beginning Creative Writing
Select from ENGL 311, 315, 316, 460, and ENGL 470

3. Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development

ENGL 417 Second Language Acquisition
ENGL 436 Integrating Language & Content in English
COMM 322 Intercultural Communication

Minimum of six semester units of a language other than English taken at a university or intensive language program.

Language Study

One year of a language other than English taken at the college level. For students in Pathways A (Literary Studies) & B (Writing Practices) only.

Capstone Course

ENGL 490 Senior Portfolio Seminar
For students in all pathways.

Requirements for the Minor

OPTION 1: THE WRITING MINOR

A minimum of 12 units (at least six units upper division 300 and 400 series):

ENGL 205 Beginning Creative Writing
ENGL 311 Environmental Writing
ENGL 314 Creative Writing: Nonfiction
ENGL 315 Creative Writing: Fiction
ENGL 316 Creative Writing: Poetry
ENGL 422 Advanced Research Writing

OPTION 2: THE LITERATURE MINOR

A minimum of 12 units of literature courses (at least six units upper division 300 and 400 series). See the department chair for course approval and advice in planning a minor appropriate to your needs and interests.

Requirements for the Master's Degree

CANDIDATE ADMISSION

For current admission requirements, please consult the English Department’s website at http://www.humboldt.edu/~english/grad.html.

GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

32 units of upper-division and graduate work—300, 400, 500, 600 series—in language and literature courses approved by the department
GPA of 3.0 in all course work applied to the degree (no grade less than C will apply toward the degree)
Minimum of 15 units in graduate level courses—500 and 600 series

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Core course required for both the literature and teaching of writing emphases:

ENGL 600 Fundamentals of Research in Composition & Literature
ENGL 690 Master’s Project

Literature Emphasis

ENGL 536 Seminar in American Literature
ENGL 546 Seminar in British Literature
ENGL 562 Advanced Studies in Shakespeare
ENGL 685 English Colloquium

Twelve units upper-division or graduate (300, 400, 500, and 600 series) English courses, four units of which must be in literature.

Reading knowledge of one language other than English.

Teaching of Writing Emphasis

ENGL 611 Seminar in Teaching Writing
ENGL 612 Development of Writing Abilities
ENGL 614 Teaching ESL Writing
ENGL 615 Writing Workshop
ENGL 618 Linguistic & Rhetorical Approaches to Writing

Eight units chosen from the following:
ENGL 536 Seminar in American Literature
ENGL 546 Seminar in British Literature
ENGL 560 Special Topics in Literature
ENGL 562 Advanced Studies in Shakespeare

(Note: ENGL 682 required of prospective ENGL 100 instructors)

Peace Corps MIP, Emphasis in TESL

Before beginning their Peace Corps assignments, participants must meet academic requirements of the master’s programs. The program prepares students for Peace Corps service and volunteer and development activities generally. Peace Corps volunteer service will provide the basis for the project report requirement.

FALL SEMESTER I / SPRING SEMESTER I:
COMM 322 Intercultural Communication
ENGL 417 Second Language Acquisition
ENGL 600 Fundamentals of Research in Composition & Literature
ENGL 614 Teaching ESL Writing
ENGL 635 Issues in English as a Second/Foreign Language
ENGL 684 Internship in Teaching ESL Modern Language Study

Peace Corps Service

FALL SEMESTER II:
ENGL 436 Integrating Language & Content in English Instruction
ENGL 615 Writing Workshop
ENGL 694 Reflections on Field Experience
ENGL 695 Culminating Activity: Critical Analysis of Field Experience [in development]

ENGL 618 Linguistic & Rhetorical Approaches to Writing, or
ENGL 328 Structure of American English

TESL Minor for the MA

Six semester units of a language other than English taken at the university level or at an intensive language program

COMM 322 Intercultural Communication
ENGL 417/COMM 417 Second Language Acquisition
ENGL 614 Teaching ESL Writing
ENGL 618 Linguistic & Rhetorical Approaches to Writing
ENGL 635 Issues in English as a Second/Foreign Language

College Faculty Preparation Program
A Graduate Certificate in College Teaching: English

This discipline-specific program is designed to better prepare the graduate student interested in a teaching career at the community college or university level. Participation requires completion of, or current enrollment in, the English master’s program.

The certificate consists of five components (13-14 units), described below. After consulting with your graduate advisor, and under the advisement of the College Faculty Preparation Program coordinator, develop a plan of study tailored to meet your specific timelines and professional goals. The CFPP coordinator and the dean for Research and Graduate Studies must ap-prove each plan of study.

Notation of certificate completion will appear on your official university transcript.

1) Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods

Introduces undergraduate teaching through a practical presentation of the processes and issues involved in the teaching of writing. Four units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:

ENGL 611 Seminar in Teaching Writing, or
ENGL 615 Writing Workshop

2) Higher Education Teaching Methods

Guidance in the skills and knowledge relevant to teaching in higher education. Three units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:

EDUC 583 Teaching in Higher Education

Certificate requirements #3 & #4 come after completion of #1 (Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods) and after or concurrent with #2 (Higher Education Teaching Methods).

3) Professional Development Seminar

Explore the nature and philosophy of postsecondary institutions and their roles and functions in higher education. One unit, concurrent with the fourth requirement, which follows.

SP 684 Orientation to Higher Education

4) Mentored Teaching Internship Experience

One of the following tracks:

Community College Track
Three units of a mentored teaching experience at College of the Redwoods.

SP 683 College Faculty Preparation Internship

(Note: Students successfully completing this course may apply in later semesters for a paid CR Faculty Internship if positions are available.)

OR

Pre-doctoral College Track
Four units (two of the following) of mentored teaching experience at HSU.
ENGL 450 Tutoring Developing Writers
ENGL 681 Internship in Teaching Literature
ENGL 682 Internship in the Teaching of Writing

5) Capstone Experience

Guidance in developing a professional teaching portfolio and job-search support materials. Two units, taken after all previous components have been completed.

SP 685 Instructional Resources for Higher Education

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