English curriculum

The following text is taken from The University of Findlay's undergraduate catalog.
 

Prerequisites

Some courses offered by the Department of English require that students complete other courses before they may enroll. These prerequisites are clearly stated with the description of each course. When a course has no stated prerequisite, the course will not require specific knowledge taught in any previous course. This does not mean that all courses without prerequisites are elementary, introductory courses. In general, courses with numbers in the 100s and 200s are the best courses for first-year students. Upper level (300 and 400 level) courses are intended primarily for students who have taken at least one year of college work, including English 106, 107, or 206. Other students may enroll with the instructor’s permission or on the basis of placement testing. A “C” or better in ENGL 106, 107, or 206 is required before students may take any 300 or 400 level course in the Department of English.
 

Travel Courses

From time to time, the Department of English organizes seminars in which students can earn college credit for travel experiences and related academic work.
 

Study of English

The study of English helps students become critical readers and thinkers who have strong writing ability, sensitivity to subtle meanings, and appreciation of aesthetic experiences. English majors may focus on literature, teaching, and/or writing and in doing so may prepare for careers in a number of fields, including teaching and professional writing. Because of the skills and intellectual flexibility it develops, the English major or minor is also valuable to students pursuing graduate studies in the liberal arts or in professional fields such as law, medicine, or business.
 
The University of Findlay offers an English major with emphases in these areas: creative writing, general writing, literature, and teaching English. The program also offers an English minor and a writing minor. In addition, the program offers a minor in technical communication. The following courses may not be counted toward any of these emphases and programs: ENGL 104, 105, 106, 107, 145, and 206.

English Program

The English major allows students to select an “emphasis” that fits their interests and future plans. Regardless of emphasis, the English major requires students to take 38 to 40 semester hours of course work, including the courses in the English major core. (Students planning graduate study in English should take at least 43 hours, including as many upper level literature courses as possible.)


English Core Courses

The following core courses are required for all four-year programs in English:
ENGL 235 Topics in Literature
ENGL 300 The English Language
ENGL 305 E-Rhetoric and Writing
​ or
ENGL 306 E-Literature and Writing
ENGL 330 Shakespeare
ENGL 331, 332, or 333 (World Literature)​
ENGL 335, 336, or 337 (British Literature)
ENGL 338, 339, or 340 (American Literature)
ENGL 492 ​Capstone Seminar in English

(Notes: When ENGL 202, 272, 282, 302, 305, or 306 is counted toward the English major, it cannot count for second writing course credit. Also, students pursuing the teaching emphasis should work closely with their advisers and the chair of English when selecting core and emphasis courses.)

English - Creative Writing Emphasis
Students take the English major core plus two genres in ENGL 208 (poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction), 308, 318 or 350, and two literature electives at the 300- or 400-level.
 
English - General Writing Emphasis
Students take the English major core plus ENGL 208 (poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction), 302, 318, 320 or 345, and two writing or literature electives at the 300- or 400-level.
 
English - Literature Emphasis
Students take the English major core plus ENGL 320 or 345, 325, 350, and three literature electives at the 300- or 400-level.
 
English - Teaching Emphasis
For requirements beyond the English major core, please consult the chair of the English department.
 
A minor in English consists of ENGL 235; 300; 305 or 306; 330; 331, 332, or 333; 335, 336, or 337; 338, 339, or 340.
 
A minor in technical communication consists of ENGL 210, 301, 303, 314, 321, and 415. Students must complete ENGL 272 or 282 as their second writing requirement.
 
A minor in writing consists of 18 semester hours, including ENGL 208, 270; ENGL 302, 305, or 306; plus three additional courses from ENGL 202, 208, 260, 265, 271, 272, 282, 301, 302, 305, 306, 308, 345, and 370. Students majoring in any area of the University may elect to take a minor in writing in order to develop their ability to write clearly (and to highlight this fact for potential employers).
 

GRADUATION HONORS IN ENGLISH

Honors in English
Upon recommendation of the English faculty, this graduation honor is awarded to English majors who have earned an average of at least 3.7 in the English major and at least 3.5 in all courses, and who have demonstrated strong scholarly and/or creative ability in papers and projects. To apply, eligible students must submit a letter of interest to the chair of English as well as three letters of support from members of the English faculty before the end of the eighth week of the semester in which they plan to graduate.