Liberal Arts

English Language and Literatures

Professors Baker (Emeritus), Bracher (Emeritus), Bullock, Cantelupe (Emeritus), N. Cary (Emeritus), Correale, Fleischauer (Emeritus), Harden (Emerita), Howard, Hughes (Emeritus), Hussman (Emeritus), Maner, Pacernick, Pringle, Sammons, Swanson (Emeritus), Whissen (Emeritus)

Associate Professors C. Cary (Emerita), Dobson, Gleason (Emeritus), Guthrie, Hall, Kich (WSU-Lake Campus), Law, Limouze (chair), Loranger, MacDonald, Mack, Milligan, Molitierno (WSU–Lake Campus), Oxindine, Schwartz (WSU-Lake Campus)

Assistant Professors Beumer Johnson, Crusan, Hagen (Emerita, WSU–Lake Campus), Macleod, Seitz, Sharma, Snyder (Emerita, WSU-150 Lake Campus)

Lecturers Bertsch, Blakelock, Chesire, Dickey, Rubin, Sayer, Wharton Instructors Allen, Cornett, Geisel, Harbort, Smith, Strader

The English major provides a balanced program of introductory and advanced work in English and American literature, world literature in English, English language and linguistics, and writing. The program offers students the chance to engage in a major humanistic discipline, the study of literature, which is challenging and enriching in itself. The English major also provides sound professional training for those interested in high school or college teaching, the teaching of English as a second language, business or technical writing, or graduate work; and the program is an excellent background for students entering professional schools or planning business careers.

The English major offers five concentrations (specified below), which have been designed to meet the needs of students with a general interest in literature and of those with special interests in writing or teaching. Students seeking a strong background in literature, history, theory, and analysis should take the general concentration in English, which combines the historical and critical study of literature with innovative approaches to critical methods, women’s studies, nontraditional literatures, and non-Western literature in English. The concentration in English with an emphasis on creative writing offers students a full series of introductory and advanced creative writing courses. The concentration in English with an emphasis on professional writing gives interested students a strong combination of literature and professional writing instruction, including course work in business and technical writing and journalism. The concentration in English with an emphasis on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides a combination of advanced work in applied linguistics with training in current methods of language teaching.

Finally, the concentration in English with an emphasis on Integrated Language Arts offers a combination of courses in literature, communication, language study, and pedagogy for students interested in seeking licensure to teach English and language arts in middle school or high school.

In choosing electives, students should try to select, in consultation with the departmental advisor, courses that complement their major interest and form a coherent unit of study, or courses that provide an appropriate career-oriented concentration.

Degree RequirementsEnglish

Bachelor of Arts Degree
General Concentration in English

Concentration in English with an Emphasis on Creative Writing

Concentration in English with an Emphasis on Professional Writing

Concentration in English with an Emphasis on TESOL

Integrated Language Arts/English Education

Students who wish to teach English or Language Arts in Ohio public high schools should pursue the B.A. in English with a Concentration in Integrated Language Arts (the curriculum is listed immediately below). Upon completion of this undergraduate degree program in the College of Liberal Arts, students then need to complete the Professional Educators Program (PEP) Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) through Wright State’s College of Education and Human Services. Graduates of the B.A. in English/Integrated Language Arts and the Professional Educators Program are then eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio department of Education in Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Language Arts.

Requirements for admission to the PEP program include a minimum GPA, admission testing, and interviews. Throughout their undergraduate work, students should consult regularly with their advisor in the College of Education and Human Services to ensure that they are meeting requirements to enter the PEP program.

Concentration in English with an Emphasis on Integrated Language Arts/English Education

(Note: It is strongly recommended that literature courses selected include works by Shakespeare, diverse female writers, and writers of color and/or ethnic diversity.)

English Honors Program

The honors program in English is designed to encourage and recognize superior academic accomplishments by English undergraduates. With the approval of the chair of the English department and the departmental honors advisor, students who meet the eligibility standards may enter the English honors program before the beginning of their senior year. Students may be admitted to the program on the recommendation of any member of the English department faculty, or students may petition to enter the program. Under the direction of a faculty tutor, students in the honors program will complete an honors project that culminates in their writing an honors thesis or project report. For further information on eligibility and enrollment, students should consult the departmental honors advisor.

Minor in English

The minor in English is designed for students who wish to take a coherent body of courses in English and American literature. The minor combines core courses in literary history and methodology with a selection of advanced studies. Students interested in the minor should consult with the departmental advisor to determine the best courses for their needs.

Certificate Program in Professional Writing

A certificate in professional writing is available to all students who successfully complete six courses from a list of approved writing courses (21 - 23 hours total). The certificate program can supplement any of the three English concentrations or any other major. The courses in the program prepare students for careers as writers in business and related fields, as journalists, and as editors. Interested students should contact the departmental advisor or the director of writing programs for further information.

Certificate Program in Technical Writing

A certificate in technical writing is available for students with a strong scientific or technical background who wish to learn and practice the writing skills that business and science demand today. Students must complete five courses and an internship, and may take the program as a supplement to any major. Interested students should contact the departmental advisor or the director of writing programs for further information.

Certificate Program in TESOL

The English department offers a certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Five courses and a practicum provide the requisite knowledge of linguistics and TESOL theory and methods. Interested students should contact their departmental advisor or the director of TESOL for further information. For information about the Endorsement in TESOL, the public school credential, interested students should contact the College of Education and Human Services or the director of TESOL.

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