|
Welcome to the Undergraduate Studies Program. The study of literature and written communication disciplines the intellect and teaches us to comprehend the world. Employers want people who respect and understand the diversity of human experience, who can communicate directly and clearly, and who can take on responsibility, initiate change, and solve problems independently. The discipline of English seeks to define what it is to be human by scrutinizing both real and imagined experience; by teaching us how to think creatively and critically, using our interpretive and analytical abilities; and by teaching us valuable lessons about the human experience--that things may not be as they appear, that language can be both powerful and playful, that even as we differ, humans share many important values. Students who choose to study literature, language, rhetoric, and composition in the SIUC Department of English have access to excellent resources: a talented, friendly faculty, small class size, well-equipped facilities, and extensive library collections. Graduates of the department have gone on to work in teaching, publishing, and law. Others hold responsible positions in business, industry, and government. Find out more about what you can do with an English major on our page of Frequently Asked Questions. You might also read Richard Jurek's English Day Keynote Address on "English Majors Out and About: Opportunity Costs and Benefits of a Career Outside of Academia."
Curriculum About a third of your time at SIUC will be devoted to the university core curriculum. To satisfy part of your foundation skills requirements, you may choose two composition courses or one advanced freshman composition course, if you qualify. You will find a number of English courses among the selections for fulfilling other university core curriculum requirements. For University Core Curriculum requirements and requirements of the College of Liberal Arts or those of the College of Education for teacher education and certification, see the current Undergraduate Catalog of SIUC. The major in English consists of 39 hours of course work, at least half of which must be taken at SIUC. Before beginning courses in your specialization, you will take six core English courses: a course in literary analysis and writing about literature; courses surveying British and American literature; and a course in Shakespeare:
Additonal courses are also required to fulfill the English major. The department offers a wide selection from which to choose, including courses in British, American, African-American, Continental, and Caribbean literature; women's literature, folktales and mythology, and science fiction; creative writing; technical and expository writing.
Teacher Education Preparation To prepare for certification as a high school English teacher, you will take courses in language analysis, adolescent literature, and methods of teaching English, as well as courses required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The program is accredited by the Illinois State Office of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. This option requires the following:
Creative Writing If you are interested in writing fiction, poetry, or literary non-fiction, you may develop your creative interests by taking courses in the writing of these genres, including beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in creative writing, and a final creative writing seminar, along with approved courses in other departments. This option requires the following:
Pre-Professional Study If you are preparing to enter fields such as law, publishing, technical writing, business, government, or any profession outside of teaching, you can take a program of courses designed to prepare you for success in the workplace. Increasingly, law schools, business schools, and employers are looking for applicants with good critical thinking and communication skills. Our Pre-Professional program focuses on improving these abilities. This option requires the following:
Graduate School Preparation If you are interested in applying to graduate school in English, you can develop your own program of course work, taking advanced courses at the graduate level while maintaining your undergraduate status and fulfilling undergraduate requirements. This option requires the following:
The Minor in English The English minor requires a minimum of 18 semester hours of course work. You may structure a minor specialization yourself in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in English or choose from specializations in teaching, pre-professional preparation, creative writing, and global literature.
The Faculty The Department of English is proud of the fourteen Outstanding Teacher Awards its faculty members have received from the College of Liberal Arts and the University. Three members have received national recognition through the Amoco Award for excellence in teaching. The department awarded its first Ph.D. in 1964 and has many nationally and internationally recognized scholars. English majors are therefore exposed not only to established scholarly approaches but to the latest, cutting-edge contributions to knowledge in the discipline. Department members have received many awards for their scholarly works, fiction, and poetry.
Additional Resources
Links: Request Further Information Online What Can I Do with an English Major?
For further information or an application packet, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies:
You may also request further information by filling out an online request form.
|
||
|
|
||